During my 14 years as a collegiate coach, I
observed young players during the development
stages of their golf careers. The most
critical time in this development occurred
during their transition from junior golf to
college golf. Oftentimes, some of the top
ranked junior players in the country enrolled
in college, began their collegiate careers,
and were never heard from again. Other
juniors, even some of the lower ranked
players, developed into top-ranked collegiate
players and, in some cases, were able to
embark on a professional golf career after
college. The key to success during this
transition phase is to understand the
differences between junior golf and college
golf.
Obviously college players are older, stronger,
and more experienced than junior golfers. But
the differences only begin there. The 36-hole
format in college golf (players play two
rounds during the first day of competition in
college events) is the single most significant
change that junior golfers must adapt to.
Often, college freshmen are unprepared both
physically and mentally to handle the
challenges of playing 36 holes in one day.
This format may be the worst thing about
college golf as well—and something I will
never miss.
Another significant difference is the team
concept. As junior golfers, young players
have the freedom to select which tournaments
to compete in, to develop their own schedule
for the week of a tournament, and to compete
as individuals where consequences only affect
themselves. In college, all that changes.
Players are told which tournaments and courses
they will be playing, what time and where they
need to be each day of the event, and
oftentimes they have to compromise with their
teammates and coach on issues such as where to
eat, who to room with, and what time to arrive
at the golf course. Playing as a team versus
playing as an individual can be a big
adjustment for college freshmen.
College players are also told when and where
to practice during the season. There are
times when everyone on the team is required to
work on a specific area in their game and to
do so as a team. Clearly, this is a culture
shock to freshmen who are accustomed to
practicing as they see fit. It’s analogous to
the first child in a family having to learn
how to share with his siblings after they are
born.
College golf is generally more serious than
junior golf. Coaches’ jobs are on the line,
players’ scholarships are at risk, and school
pride is at stake. In junior golf, players
spend time socializing with other players,
going out to dinner with other families, and
playing and practicing in a relaxed mood. In
college golf, there is very little socializing
among players from different schools.
Tournaments are taken very seriously by each
team and seldom do players from different
schools eat together or spend time on the
course or practice facility socializing.
Finally, all college players have a coach (or
in some cases two coaches) to interact with at
tournaments. Coaches will typically help
players design a course management strategy at
each course they play and will actively
involve themselves during the competition.
NCAA rules allow coaches to offer advice
during competition. For freshmen, this player-
coach relationship during tournaments is a new
experience that requires an adjustment
period. Good communication is the key to this
relationship. Players should always let
coaches know in advance what type of
information they prefer during competitive
rounds.
College golf is a wonderful experience that
all junior golfers should look forward to
participating in. Understanding the
differences in advance will help young players
make a smooth and successful transition from
the world of junior golf to the NCAA.
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