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NCAA Golf Recruiting Timeline by Class Year
Strategic timeline to maximize your college golf recruiting opportunities
Freshman9th Grade Timeline
Fall Semester
- • Focus on academics - establish strong GPA foundation
- • Join high school golf team
- • Begin playing junior tournaments (local/regional)
- • Take SAT/ACT practice tests to establish baseline
- • Research college golf programs and academic requirements
Spring Semester
- • Continue tournament play and skill development
- • Begin documenting tournament results
- • Consider lessons with PGA professional
- • Maintain strong academic performance
- • Start following college golf programs on social media
Sophomore10th Grade Timeline
Fall Semester
- • Take PSAT for practice and National Merit consideration
- • Increase tournament schedule (state and regional events)
- • Begin creating golf resume and tournament record
- • Research college golf programs more thoroughly
- • Consider joining AJGA or other national junior tours
Spring Semester
- • Play more competitive tournaments
- • Begin informal contact with college coaches (camps/clinics)
- • Create basic swing video for future recruiting
- • Maintain high GPA and consider challenging courses
- • Establish relationships with current high school coach
Junior11th Grade Timeline - Critical Year
Fall Semester
- • Take SAT/ACT for official scores (retake if needed)
- • Play high-level tournaments (national events if possible)
- • Begin serious coach contact via email and questionnaires
- • Attend college golf camps and clinics
- • Update golf resume with recent accomplishments
- • Register with NCAA Eligibility Center
Spring Semester
- • Peak tournament season - play best events possible
- • Schedule unofficial campus visits
- • Create professional swing video
- • Maintain strong academic performance
- • Respond promptly to coach communications
- • Consider summer tournament strategy for exposure
Senior12th Grade Timeline - Decision Time
Fall Semester
- • Official campus visits (limit of 5 per sport)
- • Continue playing competitive tournaments
- • Complete college applications and essays
- • Finalize NCAA Eligibility Center requirements
- • Evaluate scholarship offers and academic fit
- • Early signing period begins (November)
Spring Semester
- • Regular signing period (April-May)
- • Finalize college choice and sign National Letter of Intent
- • Complete final high school requirements
- • Send final transcripts to NCAA Eligibility Center
- • Prepare for transition to college golf
- • Consider summer preparation for freshman year
Critical Deadlines for 2025
NCAA Eligibility Center
- • Registration: Beginning of junior year
- • Final amateurism questionnaire: Senior year
- • Final transcript submission: After graduation
- • Test score submission: By graduation
Signing Periods
- • Early signing period: November 13-20, 2025
- • Regular signing period: April 16 - May 15, 2026
- • Summer signing period: June 15 - August 1, 2026
NCAA Contact Period Rules
What Coaches Can Do
- • Send recruiting materials starting June 15 after sophomore year
- • Make phone calls starting June 15 after junior year
- • Email communication at any time (with some restrictions)
- • Text messages starting June 15 after junior year
What Students Can Do
- • Contact coaches at any time via email or phone
- • Attend camps and clinics at any age
- • Visit campuses (unofficial visits) at any time
- • Complete recruiting questionnaires