College Golf
SpoRecruit Golf was established with the mission of guiding talented male and female golfers toward scholarship opportunities at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Since its founding, SpoRecruit has successfully supported hundreds of student-athletes through the academic and athletic recruitment process, helping more than 1,000 golfers take the next step in their academic and athletic journeys abroad.
Collegiate golf in the U.S. offers a competitive and structured environment where student-athletes balance rigorous training, tournament schedules, and academic responsibilities under associations such as the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA. With access to elite coaching, world-class courses, and the opportunity to compete against top-level talent, college golf provides a platform for both athletic development and personal growth.
How do I get a golf scholarship?
College golf in the U.S. is more popular than ever, especially since many PGA Tour players come from college programs. This makes it a top choice for talented golfers around the world. However, with so many athletes aiming for the same spots, competition is tough. That’s why working with a recruitment agency like U.S. Sports Scholarships can give you an edge.To boost your chances of getting a good scholarship, you’ll need strong golf skills and good academic results. Important factors include your school grades, test scores, tournament results, and swing videos. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about earning a golf scholarship in the U.S.
Number of men’s golf scholarships by division level
There are around 1,000 colleges that offer men’s golf programs. Here’s a breakdown of how these teams are spread across the main collegiate divisions:
Division Level | Number of Schools | Max Scholarships per Team | Average Roster Size |
NCAA D1 | 292 | 4.5 | 10 |
NCAA D2 | 218 | 3.6 | 10 |
NCAA D3 | 304 | N/A | 11 |
NJCAA | 212 | 8 | 7 |
NAIA | 250 | 5 | 10 |
Number of women’s golf scholarships by division level
Around 1,000 colleges sponsor women’s golf teams. The breakdown below shows how these teams are divided across the main collegiate divisions:
Division Level | Number of Schools | Max Scholarships per School | Average Roster Size |
NCAA D1 | 249 | 6 | 8 |
NCAA D2 | 154 | 5.4 | 8 |
NCAA D3 | 324 | N/A | 7 |
NJCAA | 98 | 8 | 5 |
NAIA | 143 | 5 | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an U.S athletic golf scholarship?
A golf scholarship is a type of financial aid given to students who demonstrate both academic and athletic ability, allowing them to study at a U.S. college or university. Depending on the offer, it can cover anywhere from none to all of the costs, and these scholarships are granted by college or university golf coaches.
What determines how much scholarship I get in the USA?
The value of your scholarship will depend on several factors, such as your golf skills, academic performance, and the coach’s budget for that year. But don’t worry—our goal is to match you with a U.S. college that fits both your goals and abilities. For example, if a university’s total cost is $50,000 per year and the coach offers you a $38,000 scholarship, the remaining $12,000 would be your responsibility. This would be considered a partial scholarship. The good news is that if you perform well both athletically and academically, coaches often have the option to increase your scholarship in future years to help cover more of the cost.
Can I receive a full 100% golf scholarship in the USA?
The amount of scholarship you receive mainly depends on what the college coach decides to offer. A full scholarship, or “full ride,” covers all major expenses—tuition, housing, meals, and textbooks—leaving only minor personal costs for the student-athlete to handle. In total, a full scholarship can be worth as much as $400,000 over four years. At U.S. Sports Scholarships, one in every four of our athletes secures a full scholarship.
What is the recruitment timeline for securing a U.S. college golf scholarship?
Most recruitment begins 1–2 years before a student graduates from high school. Coaches typically start scouting golfers as early as sophomore or junior year. To stay competitive, it’s important to begin preparing early—this includes building a strong golf résumé, recording swing footage, maintaining good academic performance, and taking standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Starting the process early increases your chances of being seen and offered the right scholarship.
Is it possible for a golfer to compete on the PGA Tour after graduating from college?
When you think of golf, names like Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, and Russell Knox often come to mind. Interestingly, about 65% of current PGA Tour professionals played college golf in the U.S. Collegiate golf is widely considered one of the best pathways to a professional career, thanks to its high level of competition. Student-athletes regularly face off against top amateur players from around the world on some of the most prestigious courses, including TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, and Augusta National.