Bird’s Eye View

There's one word to describe the college golf recruiting process: Involved. Just think of the pieces that go into it. Getting your game in shape. Playing in the right tournaments. Figuring out what programs are a fit for you. Coupling your academic and golfing ambitions. Creating your Hub profile and resume. Understanding standardized testing and admissions requirements. Official and unofficial visits. Contacting coaches for the first time. Sustaining a dialogue with coaches. Figuring out roster spots. Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Understanding scholarships. Signing with your dream school!

The good news is this is where the Hub comes in! We want to make life easier on all fronts, so this perplexing process becomes a bit simpler. Of course, there is a lot of information to take in, but don't feel intimidated or overwhelmed, because we are here to guide you.

In this article, we're going to start at the top and give you a bird's-eye view of the recruiting process. The good news is that the recruiting process can be broken down into a series of small pieces, or "chunks." Just like your golf game, getting good at the recruiting process involves developing skills at each of the different "chunks." Makes sense!

Here is the Hub's list of the key "chunks" to understand in the recruiting process:

• College and golf program research

• Creating and updating your Hub profile

• Initial coach outreach

• Academic readiness

• Golf readiness

• Understanding recruiting rules and eligibility

• Active coach communication

• College visits

• College applications

• Scholarships

• Offer letters (athletics aid agreements, evaluating and responding to your offer)

• Special situations (gap years, international recruits, PGM programs)

Not too overwhelming yet! The important part is (a) understanding each chunk and (b) getting good at it. This is where things get trickier, because each component has a list of "best practices," or do's and don'ts, that are useful to understand. The Hub's recruiting guide will provide you with these key insights to make this process easier.

Let's take a look at when each chunk should be incorporated into your high school career:

The Hub's Year-by-Year Guide to the Recruiting Process

(Adapted from the Junior Golf Hub College Golf Checklist poster.)

Early Years

Prior to high school, focus on fostering a love of the game and a desire to compete. Play in age-appropriate tournaments. Junior golfers are not recruited prior to high school due to NCAA rules and regulations.

Freshman Year

Freshman year is key to setting yourself up for long-term success in the recruiting process. This is a perfect time to develop proper study habits, conduct initial research on colleges and golf programs, set goals and create a long-term plan to attain them, and play in skill-level-appropriate tournaments. The level of coach contact in freshman year varies by association, division, and athlete skill level, although in general it tends to be limited. Prospects are free to reach out to coaches to introduce themselves if appropriate; however, coaches in NCAA D-I and D-II are not allowed to initiate contact with prospects during freshman year.

• Academics: Check with a guidance counselor to ensure you're on track to take NCAA core courses. Prioritize academics and develop strong study habits.

• College and Golf Program Research: Consider creating an initial target college list (30+ colleges). Conduct initial research on target colleges and their golf programs. Understand scoring stats at golf programs of interest and set a goal to be at this level.

• Golf Readiness: Create a long-term development plan with a trusted coach. Take a PDI Coach-Guided Assessment to align your plan with key elements of success (golf skills, physical, mental).

• Tournaments: Play an active tournament schedule (ideally 8-12 tournaments). Recognize the difference between Local (18-hole events close to home), State/Regional (36-hole events, often Ranked), and National (AJGA, HJGT, USGA) events. Play in events appropriate to your skill level.

• College Visits: Consider unofficial visits to school campuses when you're traveling for tournaments. Note that for NCAA Division I only, in-person meetings with the coach during an unofficial visit are not permitted before August 1 prior to junior year in high school.

• Resume: Create a profile on Junior Golf Hub so coaches can track your progress.

• Other: Understand the basics of recruiting rules and regulations across divisions and associations. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (free Profile Page account). Consider a college golf camp.

Sophomore Year

Sophomore year marks an important turning point. The preparatory phase of freshman year is over, and prospects should move into full-swing researching colleges and conducting initial outreach to coaches. On the tournament front, many players will move up and play in 36-hole ranked regional events, and even begin considering national events if appropriate. On the academic front, prospects should take the PSAT or PreACT to prepare for the exams in junior year. Be careful not to push too much of this into junior year, as that will leave you short on time.

• College and Golf Program Research: Create and/or refine your initial target college list (30+ colleges). Conduct initial research on target colleges and golf programs (if not done in freshman year). Understand scoring stats at golf programs of interest and set a goal to be at this level.

• Academics: Start taking preparatory tests, including the PSAT and PreACT.

• Golf Readiness: Execute your long-term development plan. Take a PDI Coach-Guided Assessment.

• Tournaments: Play an active tournament schedule (ideally 10-12 tournaments). Play in 36-hole regional and ranked events (available in the JGH Tournament Finder). Consider the AJGA, HJGT, USGA, and other national tournaments (if skill-appropriate). Orient your regional tournament schedule to the AJGA PBE map to start earning Performance Stars to carry over into junior year.

• Resume: Create and refine your Junior Golf Hub profile.

• Coach Communication: Start your proactive outreach to college golf coaches. (Note: for NCAA Division I only, coaches can initiate electronic correspondence beginning June 15 after sophomore year.) Target programs where your scoring average is similar to their fifth player's average. Use the "triple threat" approach of email, phone call, and handwritten note — leverage the marketing tools on your Junior Golf Hub profile, and find coach contact info in the JGH College Finder. Maintain a correspondence log to track messages out and in; be punctual and professional. Respond to all inbound communication, even from coaches and programs that may be off your radar. Target two coach-friendly windows for outreach: winter (November-February) or late spring/early summer (May-August). Prepare a list of questions for the coach, plus a list of questions the coach may ask you, and role-play with a parent or other trusted adult prior to meeting with a coach.

• Other: Understand the basics of junior golf rankings. Understand the basics of recruiting rules and regulations across divisions and associations. Consider a college golf camp. Understand social media do's and don'ts.

Junior Year

Junior year is crunch time in college golf recruiting. Prospects register for the appropriate Eligibility Center(s), take standardized tests (SAT, ACT), move into full swing on college visits, and play an active tournament schedule. Coach communication is in full swing, and coaches at NCAA D-I and D-II can initiate contact with prospects. In addition, many prospects verbally commit to their program of choice in junior year.

• Academics: Take core standardized tests (SAT, ACT) and other standardized tests (SAT II, etc.), if applicable.

• Eligibility: Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center (D-I, D-II) and/or NAIA Eligibility Center

• College and Golf Program Research: Refine and narrow your initial target college list based on current academic and golfing performance.

• Resume: Update your Junior Golf Hub profile regularly.

• Coach Communication: Continue proactive outreach — target programs where your scoring average is below their fifth player's average, and request that the coach "Follow" you on Junior Golf Hub to track progress. Use the "triple threat" approach of email, phone call, and handwritten note. Maintain your correspondence log; be punctual and professional. Respond to all inbound communication, even from coaches and programs that may be off your radar. Target the same two coach-friendly windows: winter (November-February) and late spring/early summer (May-August). Carefully prepare a list of questions for your discussions with the coach, and a list of questions the coach may ask you, role-playing with a parent or other trusted adult to prepare. Send coaches your summer tournament schedule and ask which events they'll be attending.

• College Visits: Take unofficial visits when you're traveling for tournaments. Official visits become available for NCAA D-I, D-II, and D-III (see our Recruiting Rules article for exact dates by division).

• Golf Readiness: Continue to execute your long-term development plan.

• Tournaments: Play an active tournament schedule (ideally 10-15 tournaments). Continue playing in 36-hole regional and ranked events. Consider moving up to AJGA or USGA national-level qualifiers and tournaments, if skill-appropriate — if playing in AJGA events, orient your regional schedule to the AJGA PBE map to earn Performance Stars.

Senior Year

Senior year is the last mile in the recruiting process. Players will refine their college choices, submit applications, and apply for financial aid and scholarships. Players in NCAA D-I and D-II may sign an athletics aid agreement during designated windows and players in other divisions or associations will finalize their offer letters. Get ready for college golf!

• College and Golf Program Research: Finalize your target college list (5-10 colleges).

• Applications and Financial Aid: Finalize and submit all college applications. Complete the FAFSA form and submit by the priority deadline (confirm the current year's date, as FAFSA deadlines have shifted in recent cycles). Apply for scholarships.

• Eligibility: Keep information in your Eligibility Center account(s) up to date.

• Academics: SAT or standardized test retakes, if applicable.

• Coach Communication: Last-mile communication with coaches — be transparent. Finalize your offer letter or athletics aid agreement (NCAA D-I and D-II) in designated windows.

• College Visits: Conduct official and unofficial visits.

• Resume: Keep your Junior Golf Hub profile updated.

• Golf Readiness: Continue to execute your long-term development plan.

• Tournaments: Continue playing an active tournament schedule (10-18 tournaments) to keep skills sharp for college golf.

Next, let's dive a bit deeper and understand the pieces a bit more, including:

• What they entail

• When they happen

• How to navigate each piece

Here it goes!

1. College and golf program research

What: Research colleges that are a fit for you based on your personal interests, the type of institution, location, desired major, and more. Explore the golf programs at these institutions and understand whether they may be a fit for you. Take unofficial visits to campuses as you travel for tournaments, and record your observations on each school.

When: Initial research either pre-high school or early in high school. Narrow your list of "top college choices" junior and senior year.

How: College and Golf Program Research, College Visits

2. Create and update your Hub profile

What: Become a "known entity" to college coaches by creating your Hub profile. Add key accomplishments, tournament results, PDI scores, contact information, academic transcripts, swing videos, and more.

When: Preferably pre-high school (age 13+) or early in high school. Update your Hub profile frequently with new scores, tournaments, and rankings so coaches can track your progress.

How: Creating Your Hub Profile

3. Initial coach outreach

What: Initial outreach to coaches, including your "Share Profile" link to your JGH profile so coaches can track your progress through high school. Remember the Hub mantra "earlier is better." Don't wait until it's too late!

When: Preferably pre-high school (age 13+) or early in high school.

How: Coach Communication, Using the Junior Golf Hub

4. Academic readiness

What: Understand the academic standards required to play golf in college — including NCAA core course and GPA requirements — and research target GPA and standardized test expectations at colleges on your list. Strive toward a high degree of academic excellence and position yourself to attend a quality academic institution.

When:

• Freshman to senior year: Strive to maintain a high degree of academic excellence. Check with a guidance counselor to ensure you're on track for NCAA core courses.

• Sophomore year: PSAT/PreACT, if desired.

• Junior year: SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests, if your target schools require them.

• Junior or senior year: Standardized test retakes, if needed.

How: NCAA Eligibility

5. Golf readiness

What: Craft a long-term development plan to ensure your golf game and key elements of success (desire, coaching, physical and mental skills, equipment) are in top form to compete in college. Research scoring information for target college golf programs and set goals to be at these levels or beyond. Learn to play in the right tournaments. Understand junior golf rankings.

When: Pre-high school, high school.

How: Tournament Scheduling, Junior Golf Rankings, Funding Your Journey

6. Recruiting rules and eligibility

What: Understand when and how coaches can contact prospective student-athletes, including restricted windows, and how this varies across NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA. Register with the appropriate Eligibility Center.

When:

• Freshman year (9th grade): Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (free Profile Page account) and begin understanding recruiting rules across associations and divisions. 

• Junior year: Coach contact restrictions for NCAA D-I, D-II lift (starting June 15 after sophomore year); transition to an Academic and Athletics Certification account if being recruited.

How: Recruiting Rules and Regulations, NCAA Eligibility

7. Active coach communication

What: Active back-and-forth communication with coaches who have expressed interest in you. Includes phone calls, emails, in-person visits (unofficial or official), follow-up notes, and regular updates on your progress.

When:

• NCAA D-I, D-II: Starts June 15 after your sophomore year of high school and continues into senior year.

• Other divisions: Active communication can occur throughout high school.

How: Coach Communication

8. College visits

What: Get an "on the ground" view of target colleges and meet with the coach. Includes unofficial visits (paid for by the student-athlete) and official visits (paid for by the institution).

When:

• Unofficial visits: Anytime (note that for NCAA Division I, there can be no in-person meetings with the coach or athletic department during an unofficial visit prior to junior year).

• Official visits: Varies by athletic association and division — for NCAA D-I, generally starting August 1 before junior year (see our Recruiting Rules article for the full breakdown).

How: College Visits, Recruiting Rules and Regulations

9. College applications

What: Apply to target colleges. Apply for financial aid or other scholarship opportunities.

When: Senior year of high school.

How: The website of your target college.

10. Understanding scholarships

What: Understand college golf scholarships across different divisions.

When: Ongoing, as relevant to your recruiting timeline.

How: Scholarships, Funding Your Journey

11. Offer letters

What: Understand verbal commitments and athletics aid agreements (for NCAA D-I, D-II programs). Understand how to evaluate an offer letter and respond appropriately.

When:

• Junior year (or earlier): Verbal commitments.

• Senior year: Athletics aid agreement (NCAA D-I and D-II).

How: Signing With a College Golf Program, Evaluating Your Offer

12. Additional situations

What: Tailor the recruiting process to accommodate additional situations, including international recruiting, gap years, junior colleges, social media presence, college golf camps, and considering a career in golf.

How: International Recruits, Gap Year, Junior Colleges, Social Media, College Golf Camps, PGM Programs, Careers in Golf

There you have it. There is no mystery or secret voodoo to college golf recruiting, despite what people may tell you! Just a series of steps and skills to master. Explore this document and the related articles to get further acquainted with each step, and refer back to this guide frequently for your bird's-eye view of the process.

If you'd like this same information in a printable, poster-style format, check out the Junior Golf Hub College Golf Checklist — it covers the same year-by-year breakdown above in a scannable, at-a-glance layout you can keep handy throughout your recruiting journey.

We hope this was a useful overview. Next, we recommend starting to drill down into each topic on an individual basis to familiarize yourself with it further. Start to read about researching college golf programs, communicating with coaches, how scholarships work, how to create your Hub profile, and more.

You're off and on your way!

Enjoy your Journey!