If you are an accomplished junior golfer and are seriously considering playing golf at the collegiate level you must read the PING American College Golf Guide. This annual publication is considered the bible for high school golfers seeking information concerning colleges and their golf programs. All 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities offering golf programs are listed in this book. Each listing includes the coach's name, contact information, plus some general college/university information such as enrollment size, tuition cost, and yearly living expenses estimate.
What really makes the PING American College Golf Guide valuable is that it outlines the steps that should be taken during the entire application and college recruitment process. It includes NCAA recruitment rules as well as the do's and don'ts of college recruiting. It also includes academic requirements for prospective student athletes and describes how to register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, the independent certifying body that determines academic eligibility.
Over the last few years Golf Digest has published a College Golf Guide, which is another must-read for all aspiring collegiate golfers and their parents. Golf Digest's College Golf Guide has been designed to help student-golfers and their families formulate a game plan for finding the colleges that best fit their academic and athletic abilities and needs. This article includes a number of links to other college golf-related articles and references that also should be read, if you are serious about playing college golf. Links to these articles and references are also provided here for your convenience.
Some of the more important references that are included in this College Golf Guide are the College Golf Rankings. These rankings, which were also generated by Golf Digest, actually consist of three separate rankings. The first ranking reference, which focuses on athletics, might be the best for those hoping to eventually play professionally. The second ranking, which is mainly based on academics, is certainly the best indicator for those focusing on education. And finally, the third ranking type provides a balanced view of both athletics and academics is thought to be the best school indicator for most men and women wanting to play competitive golf in college. A more detailed description of these Golf Digest rankings can be found here.
One of the factors used to assess golf program is something Golf Digest calls Player Growth (PG). Basically, this is a measure that quantifies how much players at a particular school have improved (or not improved) since entering the college. The calculation of the PG factor and how this factor should be utilized during the school selection process are described in a separate Golf Digest article here.
Golf Digest ranked almost 800 men's and more than 500 women's Division I, II, and III college golf programs. The results of these studies are provided below.
Top Men's Programs - Balanced Ranking
Top Women's Programs - Balanced Ranking
Top Men's Programs - Athletics Ranking
Top Women's Programs - Athletics Ranking
Top Men's Programs - Academic Ranking
Top Women's Programs - Academic Ranking
