Timeline: What to Do Each Year of High School
Freshman Year (Grade 9)
Primary Focus: Foundation Building
Freshman year is about establishing strong academic and golf fundamentals. This is not the time to stress about recruiting, but rather to build the foundation that will support your recruiting efforts later.
Academic Priorities
- Establish strong study habits and time management
- Maintain a 3.5+ GPA from the start
- Take challenging courses when ready
- Meet regularly with guidance counselor
- Understand graduation requirements
- Begin tracking all coursework and grades
Golf Development
- Focus on fundamental skill development
- Establish relationship with qualified instructor
- Play local and regional junior tournaments
- Join high school golf team if available
- Start tracking tournament scores and statistics
- Begin basic physical conditioning program
Early Recruiting Activities
- Research college golf programs and their requirements
- Attend local college golf camps during summer
- Start following college programs on social media
- Create basic golf resume template
- Learn about NCAA eligibility requirements
- Build relationships with local golf professionals
Sophomore Year (Grade 10)
Primary Focus: Skill Development and Exposure
Sophomore year is when you begin to expand your golf resume and gain exposure to higher levels of competition while maintaining academic excellence.
Academic Goals
- Continue strong academic performance
- Take PSAT for practice and feedback
- Begin SAT/ACT preparation if ready
- Consider dual enrollment or AP courses
- Research college academic programs
- Maintain detailed transcript records
Golf Advancement
- Expand tournament schedule regionally
- Establish official USGA handicap index
- Begin playing AJGA or other national events
- Document all tournament results carefully
- Start recording highlight videos
- Intensify strength and conditioning
Recruiting Development
- Attend multiple college golf camps and showcases
- Begin creating comprehensive golf resume
- Start informal communication with college coaches
- Visit college campuses during tournaments or vacations
- Create professional email address for recruiting
- Research Division I, II, and III differences
Junior Year (Grade 11)
Primary Focus: Peak Performance and Active Recruiting
Junior year is the most critical year for recruiting. September 1st of junior year marks when Division I coaches can initiate contact, making this the prime recruiting period.
Academic Milestones
- Take SAT/ACT tests (plan for multiple attempts)
- Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
- Maintain highest possible GPA
- Complete challenging course load
- Research college academic requirements
- Meet with guidance counselor quarterly
Golf Performance
- Compete in highest level tournaments possible
- Achieve and maintain competitive scoring averages
- Seek state and regional rankings
- Record professional-quality highlight videos
- Document all statistics and improvements
- Peak physical and mental conditioning
Active Recruiting Phase
- Begin serious communication with target college coaches
- Create and distribute comprehensive recruiting packet
- Schedule unofficial visits to top choice schools
- Attend showcase events where target coaches will be present
- Develop target list of 20-30 realistic college options
- Follow up consistently with interested coaches
- Begin receiving coach evaluations and feedback
Summer Before Senior Year (Critical Period)
- Attend camps at target colleges
- Compete in major junior championships
- Complete college applications if doing early admission
- Narrow college list to 10-15 serious options
- Schedule official visits for fall of senior year
- Continue SAT/ACT testing if needed
Senior Year (Grade 12)
Primary Focus: Decision Making and Commitment
Senior year is when recruiting efforts culminate in college visits, scholarship offers, and ultimately signing a National Letter of Intent.
Fall Senior Year
Academic Completion
- Complete final SAT/ACT attempts if needed
- Submit college applications by deadlines
- Complete financial aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile)
- Maintain strong senior year grades
- Complete NCAA eligibility certification
- Submit final transcripts to NCAA
Recruiting Decisions
- Take official visits (maximum 5 per sport)
- Evaluate scholarship offers and terms
- Compare academic and athletic opportunities
- Consider team culture and coaching fit
- Negotiate scholarship terms if applicable
- Make verbal commitment to chosen program
Winter/Spring Senior Year
Final Steps
- Sign National Letter of Intent (Early: November; Regular: April)
- Complete college enrollment process
- Maintain academic and golf performance
- Participate in team activities if allowed
- Prepare for transition to college golf
- Graduate from high school with strong finish
Monthly Action Items by Grade
Freshman Year Monthly Tasks
- September: Set academic and golf goals
- October: Join high school team, establish routine
- November: First progress report evaluation
- December: Winter training program
- January: Mid-year academic assessment
- February: Begin tournament schedule planning
- March: Spring season preparation
- April: Track spring performance
- May: Evaluate year-end results
- June: Summer camp and tournament selection
- July: Summer competition and training
- August: Prepare for sophomore year
Junior Year Monthly Tasks
- September: Coaches can initiate contact (D1)
- October: Begin serious coach communication
- November: Complete recruiting packet
- December: SAT/ACT testing window
- January: Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
- February: Plan unofficial visits
- March: Spring tournament peak period
- April: Evaluate junior year performance
- May: Continue recruiting communication
- June: Summer camp and showcase planning
- July: Major tournament competition
- August: Prepare for critical senior year
Key Recruiting Deadlines to Remember
Critical Dates
- September 1st of Junior Year: Division I coaches can initiate contact
- June 15th after Sophomore Year: Division II coaches can initiate contact
- Early Signing Period: November (Wednesday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week)
- Regular Signing Period: April (second Wednesday through May 31st)
- NCAA Eligibility Center: Register by start of senior year
- Financial Aid Deadlines: October 1st for FAFSA, varies by college for CSS Profile
- College Application Deadlines: Typically November-February
Common Timeline Mistakes to Avoid
What NOT to Do
- Starting recruiting efforts too late (senior year)
- Neglecting academics in favor of golf
- Waiting for coaches to contact you first
- Applying to only reach schools
- Missing NCAA eligibility deadlines
- Failing to visit schools before committing
Success Strategies
- Start early and stay organized
- Balance academics and athletics equally
- Be proactive in coach communication
- Create realistic target school lists
- Stay ahead of all deadlines
- Visit schools and build relationships