5+ Reasons why you should consider college golf in america

I think it comes as no surprise how competitive golf has become. Scores are getting lower and younger players are dominating the sport.

Out of the hundreds of thousands of professional golfers out there, really only the top 1% can actually make a good living. It’s a tough world out there that takes a lot of patience, hard work, and grit. If there’s one thing in life I’m really glad I did, it’s going to college and being a student-athlete.

If you or someone you know is debating between going to college or turning pro, I hope I can convince you to at least try a year in college. These are my reasons why I believe college golf is an invaluable experience.

1. Golf will always be there

Golf is one of those incredible sports where there really is no age limit. You hear stories of LPGA players having success on tour after maternity leave, and I think Phil Mickelson inspired many people when he became the oldest player to win a major championship at age 50.

So, golf will always be there, but college golf is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (unless you’re a retired NBA star like J.R. Smith, then college golf can wait as well).

2. Many golf scholarships available

Annually, there are over 2,000 golf scholarships available for both men’s and women’s Division I and Division II programs. That’s a lot! Coaches can choose how they distribute the scholarship funds, either give the player 100% or split the amount with other players.

Most international players get a full scholarship to play in the U.S. There are six full scholarships available for women golf teams (in DI programs) and 4.5 for men. That’s really good news for the Japanese or other international players interested.

3. A lot of things are paid for

Every school is different, but one thing for sure is you won’t have to worry about paying for any of the equipment and travel expenses. You get A LOT of stuff from the school and it’s normally really good stuff. University of Kansas, or KU, is a big Adidas school so we got a lot of Adidas clothes which was awesome. I also got new golf clubs from the school, including my 2014 Scotty Cameron putter that I still use and love to this day.

4. Get to play at really nice courses.

Our golf team went to Ireland for a 10-day trip and it was incredible to say the least. We played at many well-known courses including Royal County Down GC, Royal Portrush GC, The K Club, and my favorite, Old Head Golf Links. We even ran into the actor Luke Evans, who was filming a movie there. I think if you asked me what the most memorable moment in college was, I would have to say this trip. Making it to NCAA Nationals was nice too…

5. Many rules changed to benefit amateurs

This is a big one. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, amateurs can now receive money to cover expenses with no restrictions AND they can make money off of their name. This may not seem big to some, but for those of us who knew how strict the NCAA has been, this is a huge change that will allow amateurs, especially college players, to compete without the financial stress.

The PGA Tour also introduced a new system called the PGA Tour University which will reward Division I men’s golfers with a smooth transition into professional golf. The top 15 players (after their four-years in college) will be able to play in any of the PGA affiliated tours, including the Korn Ferry Tour, Latin America, China, etc.

In Japan, that is the equivalent of getting to play on the Step Up Tour or the Challenge Tour after college. I think it’s a great system and a great incentive for golfers to stay in school.

6. Extremely competitive

It depends on the school’s budget and the tournament, but normally five players from each team get to travel and compete in tournaments and the top four scores from each day are counted into the team’s score.

An average team size is 10 players which means that there are qualifying rounds within the team to determine who gets to travel for each event (about two tournaments a month). So not only are there many tournaments to play in during the school year, but you may also need to qualify to get into those tournaments. That’s a lot of competing experience!

7. Makes you physically stronger

Back when I was in college, I groaned when we had workouts at 6 am or earlier. Looking back, I’m appreciative of having a trainer who cared and pushed us so hard. Nowadays, I admit that it’s sometimes hard to motivate myself to work out so it’s a nice feeling when someone is there to get you on your feet.

There is a reason why team workouts are so tough. Most of the college golf tournaments are 36 holes and then 18 holes the next day (all walking of course). College was probably when I was the most physically fit, but also the chubbiest haha.

8. Build connections

A lot of former graduates will help you out in life just for going to the same university. What’s really great about the U.S. is how inclusive and respected college sports are. There are groups all around the country for alumni and they get together for games and other outings.

When I was in Houston, I was introduced to many “Jayhawks” or other KU alumni in the area. I felt like I made instant friends just because we had that one thing in common.

9. The overall experience

Let’s be real, college is the perfect place to grow as a person. You learn how to take care of yourself and when you’re on the golf team, time management is crazy important. You will need to learn how to balance golf, school, and personal life and that experience will make you stronger. For the Japanese players coming to the U.S., they will learn English and just by that skill alone, they gain an extremely valuable asset.

Not to mention you will have a back-up plan in the future if you decide to retire from professional golf. I’m honestly surprised by how useful my Journalism degree has been throughout my pro golf career. I learned how to write well, how to talk in front of the camera, market myself through social media, and now blogging haha

I was very fortunate to have gone to KU on a golf scholarship. I was able to experience the “normal” college life of going to basketball games, attending classes, and making friends, while still having time to focus on my golf. Many of my pro friends in Japan tell me how they wish they knew about college golf in America sooner. I’m here to make sure that more golfers don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

If you received a full-ride offer to play college golf in the U.S.—which means EVERYTHING covered and paid for—wouldn’t you think it’s worth going?

Let me know your thoughts and if you have further questions about college golf, please don’t hesitate to contact me.