What are your top 3 criteria when choosing a school?

[kekoa]

My son isn't there yet, but some friends are right in the midst of picking a school to commit to.  Lets say that 3 schools are interested- how do you go about picking?  I'll preface with saying the kids aren't very academic and rank somewhere in the 300 range on JGS.  I'm unsure of their AJGA rolex ranking.

 

For us, I would pick according to the following:

 

1. Ranking of golf program along with practice facilities and home course.

2. Cost/scholarship $$

3. Location

 

I'm probably oversimplifying things but would like to get thoughts especially for those who have recently committed or have kids in their freshman year. 

 

Thanks

 

 

[mrshinsa]

Broken leg test

[MahalNeneng]

I dont think 3 are near enough

 

I provided mine wit the first tab of this sheet, based off of his initial interest. So he could learn about the school, $$, locations, facilities etc. 

The second tab was trying to figure out how much Academic monies would be applied to each schools TCA.

The 3rd (more of what your looking for) was his personal rankings of each program. (i have removed his scores) I asked him what was important to him and how he would make his decision. He ranked each criterion 1-5 and then totaled them out and sorted by score. He referenced this alot and made adjustments as he when through official visits and learned more about the programs.

His criteria:

Practice Facilities (Course Access / Practice Facilities and location of facilities)

Schedule

Coaching

Location 

School

Total Cost of Tuition (factoring in what he either thought he would get or was offered)

 

Having said all that, we are not a college sports household and didn't hold any allegiance to any program. He was concerned with what he would come out of the college experience with at the end of 4-5 years (education, golf skills and $$$ (if a loan was needed)

 

 

share College.xlsx

Edited November 23, 2024 by MahalNeneng
additional info

[leezer99]

1 hour ago, MahalNeneng said:

I dont think 3 are near enough

 

I provided mine wit the first tab of this sheet, based off of his initial interest. So he could learn about the school, $$, locations, facilities etc. 

The second tab was trying to figure out how much Academic monies would be applied to each schools TCA.

The 3rd (more of what your looking for) was his personal rankings of each program. (i have removed his scores) I asked him what was important to him and how he would make his decision. He ranked each criterion 1-5 and then totaled them out and sorted by score. He referenced this alot and made adjustments as he when through official visits and learned more about the programs.

His criteria:

Practice Facilities (Course Access / Practice Facilities and location of facilities)

Schedule

Coaching

Location 

School

Total Cost of Tuition (factoring in what he either thought he would get or was offered)

 

Having said all that, we are not a college sports household and didn't hold any allegiance to any program. He was concerned with what he would come out of the college experience with at the end of 4-5 years (education, golf skills and $$$ (if a loan was needed)

 

 

share College.xlsx 60.49 kB · 6 downloads

Wait a minute… didn’t your son sign recently?

[LawGenius305]

1. What is the team chemistry like. This is a direct reflection of the coach and have to be there 4 years.

2. What are the realistic expectations of playing as a freshman. Probably a lot different now with max scholarships.

3. How good is the program.

4. Practice facilities and the quality of the courses they get to practice at.

5. School

6. Coaching

7. Cost

[MahalNeneng]

4 hours ago, leezer99 said:

Wait a minute… didn’t your son sign recently?

Yes thank God

[leezer99]

5 minutes ago, MahalNeneng said:

Yes thank God

Based on that spreadsheet I think I know your son because you sent it to me before. 

[MahalNeneng]

6 hours ago, leezer99 said:

Based on that spreadsheet I think I know your son because you sent it to me before. 

He knows way more people than I lol. 

[sui generis]

My neighbor's son wanted a party school with okay golf. I steered him towards the Air Force Academy. His father was not amused. 😉

[leezer99]

12 hours ago, sui generis said:

My neighbor's son wanted a party school with okay golf. I steered him towards the Air Force Academy. His father was not amused. 😉

That’s my Alma Mater… UCSB. Bonus for being one of the most beautiful places on earth. 

[eddiebigeddie]

For my son and we’re still going through it as he hasn’t signed yet. In no particular order, but still some were looking at more than others…

1. Cost/Scholarship/Grants/Academic money offered

2. Team makeup/chemistry/possibility of playing early, how good is the team

3. Golf course, practice facilities, location to school and extras available 

4. School curriculum, campus, location (luckily 2 main schools he’s looking at are 30 mins apart).

5. Coaching staff, style and vibe he gets and we get from them. 

[HoosYourDaddy]

1. number and proximity of Chick-fil-A (signals culture, political climate)

2. strength of football team (athletic funding overall)

3. endowment size (not that one!  financial - indicates how rich/success alums are)

[golferdad8]

I might be too harsh here, but no schools have a cheat code for making it to the PGA.

Of the 3000+ male players graduating in 2026....statistically, PGA is not the reason to choose a school. 

+1 on the broken leg test. 

 

In no particular order (and assuming costs are similar), these are the variables that matter long-term imo.

(and I intentionally left out football games and parties as factors) 

 

Quality of the teammates

Quality of the students (both non-athletes & SAs)

Quality of the education/professors 

Reputation of the school for the resume 

Alumni support for long-term career 

 

[LawGenius305]

15 hours ago, golferdad8 said:

I might be too harsh here, but no schools have a cheat code for making it to the PGA.

Of the 3000+ male players graduating in 2026....statistically, PGA is not the reason to choose a school. 

+1 on the broken leg test. 

 

In no particular order (and assuming costs are similar), these are the variables that matter long-term imo.

(and I intentionally left out football games and parties as factors) 

 

Quality of the teammates

Quality of the students (both non-athletes & SAs)

Quality of the education/professors 

Reputation of the school for the resume 

Alumni support for long-term career 

 

I agree with this statement. Less than 1% of these kids will ever get to the PGA. Go where the teammates are great and have fun. 

[bcjim]

1. What happens if things go sideways? Can I afford to stay? Would I want to stay? If no, what is plan B?

 

2. Will I be a top guy,  or will I be grinding to hang on and stressed out (see 1.)

 

 

[Golfingdawg19]

On 11/24/2024 at 8:23 PM, eddiebigeddie said:

For my son and we’re still going through it as he hasn’t signed yet. In no particular order, but still some were looking at more than others…

1. Cost/Scholarship/Grants/Academic money offered

2. Team makeup/chemistry/possibility of playing early, how good is the team

3. Golf course, practice facilities, location to school and extras available 

4. School curriculum, campus, location (luckily 2 main schools he’s looking at are 30 mins apart).

5. Coaching staff, style and vibe he gets and we get from them. 

This list mirrored what we looked at. My daughter is class of 2026 and she had several full ride offers. We looked at all the criteria that Eddie listed and went with the school that offered her the best blend of everything. 

[SBH9458]

On 11/23/2024 at 7:34 PM, sui generis said:

My neighbor's son wanted a party school with okay golf. I steered him towards the Air Force Academy. His father was not amused. 😉

@sui generis this brought me joy this morning ☺️

[jda]

On 11/25/2024 at 10:46 AM, HoosYourDaddy said:

3. endowment size (not that one!  financial - indicates how rich/success alums are)

 

This is no joke.  Two D1 kids - one who graduated and one who is a junior.  The junior is at a UC school and the alumni base are super helpful and asking her already about internships and possible jobs and she has more than a year left.  The alumni at some of the smart-kid schools are super proud and also super helpful to graduates offering them opportunities not otherwise available.  This is not much different than Edward Jones or Schwab hiring a beloved local star College BB or FB player who is not good enough to make the pros.

 

Both of my kids were different, but one thing that they shared is needing a love of the town/area.  My kid loves La Jolla (who doesn't) so if stuff sucks with school or the team, she can have a nice weekend and reset.  There is no off-season if the town/city sucks for your kid.

[kekoa]

On 11/25/2024 at 2:53 PM, golferdad8 said:

I might be too harsh here, but no schools have a cheat code for making it to the PGA.

Of the 3000+ male players graduating in 2026....statistically, PGA is not the reason to choose a school. 

 

 

 

That is a fair statement, but would you agree that certain colleges produce more PGA players than others?

[leezer99]

5 hours ago, kekoa said:

 

That is a fair statement, but would you agree that certain colleges produce more PGA players than others?

Schools don't produce PGA players. The junior golfers that are on that trajectory will get there regardless. 

[golferdad8]

Imho, making it to the PGA is both a calling (with golf facility & warm weather being the highest priority) & lots of luck (including no injuries). 
 

Last year, I think 5 of the top 50 players in the world chose HYP golf. (Harvard Yale Princeton). This could be an interesting case study to see if it’s true that Ivies are where good golf goes to die - lots of fun discussions involving @Tugu on this topic. 
 

Could they get to PGA from Ivies? Yes, it’s technically possible - and they could have (slightly) better odds if they went to a warm weather school where academics are easy & they didn’t have so many ambitious classmates telling them it’s smarter to make a lot more money going into business & playing golf for fun for the rest of their lives. 
 

Indeed, some schools are better set up for daily golf & easy academics. If someone wants top academics & golf (to hedge against golf not working out as a career), perhaps Stanford, Cal, Duke & Northwestern.

Assuming they get one of these coveted golf spots - just check the rosters - many top recruits barely play 1/3 of the tournaments (or is cut from the team). Now add in the newly reduced PGA Tour top 100 cut off, and the chances of making it to PGA “as a career” is only slightly better (than zero). Therefore, we’re back the top 3 tips for choosing schools: 

1) go where you can play

2) go where you will love the school and the people (broken leg test) 

3) go where you can get a good education and a strong network as statistically it’s near impossible to have a career playing golf in the PGA. 

[HoosYourDaddy]

the lifetime value of making it on the PGA Tour for even 1 year is a lot more than most of the people posting here think or know

[LawGenius305]

10 hours ago, kekoa said:

 

That is a fair statement, but would you agree that certain colleges produce more PGA players than others?

Those players were more than likely making it anyway.

[eddiebigeddie]

On 12/1/2024 at 6:22 AM, Golfingdawg19 said:

This list mirrored what we looked at. My daughter is class of 2026 and she had several full ride offers. We looked at all the criteria that Eddie listed and went with the school that offered her the best blend of everything. 

So HAPPY & PROUD today as my son just did his Verbal Commitment today.  We went with the School that had the best of all the things I mentioned earlier.  This school will give my son the best opportunity to be a College Golfer and more importantly get a great education.

[Warrior42111]

1. Academics - does the school have a program / field that your kid is interested in? Truth be told most kids aren't going pro so need a back up

2. Golf development- What's the coach(es) track record for developing signees? Good program or more know just to go transfer hunting every year. 

3. Campus life - if you don't like the environment you are in it will affect your golf game and academics

 

[kekoa]

18 hours ago, eddiebigeddie said:

So HAPPY & PROUD today as my son just did his Verbal Commitment today.  We went with the School that had the best of all the things I mentioned earlier.  This school will give my son the best opportunity to be a College Golfer and more importantly get a great education.

Congrats to your son and family!

[golferdad8]

22 hours ago, eddiebigeddie said:

So HAPPY & PROUD today as my son just did his Verbal Commitment today.  We went with the School that had the best of all the things I mentioned earlier.  This school will give my son the best opportunity to be a College Golfer and more importantly get a great education.

Congrats - what an exciting time for your family. Enjoy! 

[eddiebigeddie]

Thanks everyone.  Been a long road to get here, but it's all paying off now.  My son picked up the game at age 5 when he just started riding around with me when I played.  Played some Soccer, Baseball & Basketball too growing up, but Golf was always the One he was going to be best at.  He started getting "serious" about it in Middle School and played on the High School team for 6 years (2 Middle/4 High).  Hardwork practicing, good grades & a good head on his shoulders has paid off. With his grades & golf game these parents are going to be out very little.  Couldn't be more Happier for Him!

[kekoa]

On 12/10/2024 at 11:06 AM, eddiebigeddie said:

Thanks everyone.  Been a long road to get here, but it's all paying off now.  My son picked up the game at age 5 when he just started riding around with me when I played.  Played some Soccer, Baseball & Basketball too growing up, but Golf was always the One he was going to be best at.  He started getting "serious" about it in Middle School and played on the High School team for 6 years (2 Middle/4 High).  Hardwork practicing, good grades & a good head on his shoulders has paid off. With his grades & golf game these parents are going to be out very little.  Couldn't be more Happier for Him!

 

My son started swinging a few years earlier than yours and got competitive at age 5 and has continued.  In terms of grades, is there a minimum or average we should shoot for to get recruited in a top program.  Of course that is assuming the scores are there as well. 

[eddiebigeddie]

3 minutes ago, kekoa said:

 

My son started swinging a few years earlier than yours and got competitive at age 5 and has continued.  In terms of grades, is there a minimum or average we should shoot for to get recruited in a top program.  Of course that is assuming the scores are there as well. 

So for my son, he has a 3.8+ grade point average and scored a 24 on his ACT (we don’t do SAT here in Ky).  I will tell you that his GPA and ACT scores are paying for more of the schooling then the Golf Scholarship, but it definitely helps for sure.