Determining which college to attend is one of
the toughest decisions a young person will
face. This decision will shape a person’s
life in a number of ways—academically,
athletically, and socially. Throughout this
process it is important to consider all
factors relevant to selecting your college and
to make the right decision on your first
attempt.
At Red Numbers Golf, we promote a “best fit”
philosophy when helping junior golfers
evaluate and select colleges to attend. The
selection process is extremely personal and
should be taken seriously by all junior
golfers and their parents.
Academics should be considered initially.
What degrees are offered, and does the
institution provide adequate academic
resources to help the student succeed? For
some students, large classes with little or no
teacher interaction are fine. For others,
small classes with regular teacher interaction
are essential. In either case, target schools
that provide the ideal learning environment
for you as a student. The overall size of the
school should be considered as well.
When evaluating various golf programs, the
most important aspect concerns your ability to
play for the team and to help them reach their
competitive goals. Before contacting coaches,
do your homework. Consider their class
breakdown, scoring averages, overall team
size, and recent rankings and
accomplishments. Be realistic with yourself.
If you were on the team’s roster, would you
ever play in tournaments? Remember, only five
players travel to tournaments.
Other factors that should be considered when
determining which college to attend include
the location of the school and the seasonal
climate. Are you comfortable attending school
in an area where snow is prevalent, or do you
need to settle in a warmer climate? If you
grew up in a southern state, traveling to the
north to attend college may not work for
you.
Scholarships are the primary focus for most
prospects when considering colleges. Keep in
mind that most golf teams only provide student-
athletes with partial scholarships (if any
scholarship at all), which means you will have
to cover a portion—if not all—of your cost of
education. Therefore, the cost of the school
is a very important factor for most families.
A 10 percent golf scholarship to an
inexpensive school may be a better deal
financially than a 50 percent golf scholarship
to an expensive school. The bottom line is,
how much will be left for you to pay after the
scholarship is applied?
When deciding on a golf program, evaluate the
team’s practice facilities, tournament
schedule, and available resources (athletic
budget and booster support). These elements
will determine your ability to improve as a
player if you attend the school. This is very
important to keep in mind throughout the
process. Finally, what do you know about the
coach? What is his coaching style and does
his personality fit yours. Ask former players
and parents about the coach and keep in mind
that not all coaches will be a good fit for
you as a player and as a person. Do you want
your coach to be an “in your face” coach or
merely a friend? Different strokes for
different folks. Just make sure you are
compatible.
If you keep our “best fit” philosophy in mind,
you will have the opportunity to attend the
right college to study and play golf.
Overall, quality of life issues will be the
most important elements in making this
critical decision. Think about your welfare
as a student-athlete and consider all factors
throughout the process.
Key factors to consider:
- Academic degrees available
- School size
- Golf program’s competitiveness
- Team size
- Class breakdown
- Scoring averages
- Team’s ranking and recent accomplishments
- Climate
- Scholarship opportunities/cost of education
- Practice facilities
- Tournament schedule
- Resources available to promote team
- Coaching style and personality
Good luck!
Coach Brooks
Red
Numbers Golf®
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