Golf Course 101

Thank you for returning to Golf Course 101! A new way to learn about golf and life.

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. I got caught up with graduate school work! Research papers stink!  Anywho, I wanted to write about some NCAA rules when it comes to recruiting. 

There are many rules when it comes to recruiting in college golf.  The rules also differ from division to division.  There are 4 divisons in college golf:  Div. I, Div. II, Div. III, and NAIA.  Here is a link to NCAA’s site to help you navigate some of the rules of college golf recruiting:  http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=271.  As you can see, you can click on the different divisions to help you understand the rules in the each division. 

I took the liberty of asking the St. Mary’s University compliance officer some questions about college recruiting so I could help clarify for all you bloggers out there.  J

Q:  Are coaches allowed to talk to players before July 1^st after their junior year of high school?

A:  Yes

Q:  What type of communication is allowed?

A:  At that point they are allowed to contact them once a week via all normal forms of contact except texting.

Q:  And does this differ across the other divisions (i.e. Div. I, II, III, NAIA)?

A:  These rules only apply to NCAA Div. II schools. Refer to the manual on NCAA’s website for more information on the other divisions’ rules. 

Q:  And does it differ between men and women?

A:  There is no difference based on sex.

Q:  What do you need to do first to get started with the recruiting process?

A:  Everyone needs to now register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the Clearing House) & there is a direct link:  https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

Q:  After July 1^st of their junior year of high school, can players make initial contact with coaches as much as they want to?

A:  Yes,  but they are also allowed to contact anytime before that – the content of the calls just have to be careful. After July 1^st of their junior year of high school, the content of the calls can be more candid (i.e. about scholarship money). 

Q:  How often are players allowed to take official visits?

A:  You are allowed up to 5 official visits to any Div. 1 or Div. 2 schools. Div. 3 visits do not count towards your limit anymore. And you are entitled to unlimited unofficial visits. Lots of times with golfers (since it’s tough to do a tryout) its smarter to just do unofficial’s if the player is uncertain. And you aren’t allowed any tryout except at the Div. 2 level.  Coaches can go and watch all they want but in Div. I, and III you can’t come on campus or the school’s course to workout/tryout.

Q:  And does this have to happen after a certain date during their high school years?

A:  Same thing applies – after July 1^st  of their junior year they are allowed to be on official visits.

Q:  Is there anything you would like to tell potential college golfers and their parents?

A:  Honestly – the most important things every athlete needs to know is registering with the Eligibility Center, taking their entrance exams, and making sure they have the core curriculum from their high school courses in order to be eligible. It’s amazing how many school counselors don’t have a clue about all that!

Hope this helps with some of your college recruiting questions.  If you have any other questions for our compliance officer, don’t hesitate to ask! 

 

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Tags: College Golf //