Division I

  • Top DI

    • Handicap: Scratch or better
    • 18 Hole Average: 72 or under
    • Top Finishes at National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
    • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
  • Lower DI

    • Handicap: Equal to or <1
    • 18 Hole Average: 73 or under
    • Competes in National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
    • Competes in State and Local Tournaments

Division II

  • Handicap: Equal to or < 2
  • 18 Hole Average: 74 or under
  • Competes in National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments

***Some DII coaches require DI standards

Division III

  • Handicap: Equal to or < 3
  • 18 Hole Average: 75 or under
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
  • Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)

***Some DIII coaches require DI standards 

NAIA

  • Top NAIA

    • Handicap: Equal to or < 2
    • 18 Hole Average: 74 or under
    • Competes in National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
    • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
  • Lower NAIA

    • Handicap: Equal to or < 3
    • 18 Hole Average: 75 or under
    • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
    • Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)

***Some NAIA coaches require DI standards 

Note: On average, the NCSA men's golfers that have moved on to compete at the next level had a handicap of (1), an 18-hole average of (72.5), and a grade point average of (3.37). These student-athletes also competed in national tournaments such as AJGA, FCWT, and USGA, along with state and local tournaments. 

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:
3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen) 

In order to compile these Recruiting Guidelines, NCSA tracked hundreds of former NCSA student-athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, polled college coaches across the nation, and analyzed college rosters at all levels of competition. 

Golf by the Numbers

Schools Offering Golf

Varsity 

Men 

Women 

NCAA Division I 

291 

243 

NCAA Division II 

210 

134 

NCAA Division III 

284 

164 

NAIA 

151 

109 

Junior College 

217 

89 

Total 

1,153 

739 

Athletic Scholarship Opportunities

Division I(per school) 

4.5 

Division II (per school) 

3.6 

5.4 

NAIA 

NJCAA (*varies per school) 

Student-Athlete Participation

NCAA Division I 

2,974 

1,994 

NCAA Division II 

2,266 

984 

NCAA Division III 

3,078 

1,144 

NAIA 

1,482 

739 

High School 

159,747 

66,283 

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships.