What It Really Takes to Make the High School Golf Team — and Play College Golf
- BE Golf
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
A Coach’s Guide for Junior Golfers and Parents
Every year, thousands of junior golfers ask the same question:
“What do I actually need to do to make my high school golf team… or play college golf?”
The short answer?
👉 It’s not just about shooting a low score once.
The long answer (and the one that actually helps you make the team)? That’s what this guide is for.
At BE Golf, we’ve worked with juniors from first tee shots all the way to college commitments. This blog breaks down what coaches really look for, what parents often misunderstand, and how players can build a clear pathway—without burning out or guessing.
Step 1: Understand the Real Goal (Clarity Before Confidence)
Before we talk swing mechanics, tournament schedules, or rankings, let’s get something straight:
High school coaches and college coaches are not looking for perfection.
They are looking for prepared, reliable, coachable players.
At BE Golf, we believe golfers don’t need more tips—they need clarity.
Clarity creates confidence. Confidence creates performance.
What It Takes to Make the High School Golf Team
1. What’s your average score? (Not a Fluke Round)
Most high school teams care less about your best round and more about your average round.
Typical benchmarks (varies by school and region):
Varsity boys: mid-70s to low-80s
JV: low-80s to low-90s
Freshman teams: breaking 100 consistently
👉 Coaches want predictability.
Can you keep the ball in play? Avoid big numbers? Finish every hole?
2. Can you strike it solid and control the direction?
At BE Golf, we teach a clear hierarchy:
Divot Control
Center Face Contact
Club Face Control
Club Path Control
Junior golfers who strike the ball solidly—even without a “pretty” swing—separate themselves fast at tryouts.
If your contact is inconsistent, pressure exposes it immediately.
3. Short Game & Course Management Win Tryouts
High school tryouts are rarely won on the range.
They’re won:
Inside 100 yards
On the greens
With smart decisions under pressure
Players who know where to miss, how to recover, and how to avoid doubles move up depth charts quickly.
4. Coachability & Attitude Matter More Than Parents Think
Every coach notices:
Body language
Effort
Listening skills
Response to bad shots
A player who competes, stays engaged, and applies feedback will often beat a more “talented” but emotional golfer.
What It Takes to Play College Golf
Let’s raise the bar.
Playing college golf—at any level—requires intentional development, not luck.
1. You Need a Long-Term Development Plan
College golfers aren’t built in one season.
They develop through:
Structured practice
Tournament experience
Physical development
Mental training
At BE Golf, we don’t chase rankings—we build golfers who last.
2. Tournament Experience Matters
College coaches recruit players who:
Have competed outside of school golf
Can handle multi-day events
Perform under real pressure
They want to see:
Progression
Learning from failure
Competitive maturity
3. Your Scoring Average Is the Language Coaches Speak
While every program is different, here are realistic ranges:
Division I: Low-70s average
Division II / NAIA: Mid-70s
Division III: Mid- to high-70s
👉 It’s not about one hot summer.
It’s about who you are over 30–50 rounds.
4. Train Like a Golfer, Not Just a Swing
College golf is demanding:
Travel
School
Qualifying rounds
Pressure
Golfers who succeed have:
Strong routines
Mental discipline
Physical resilience
Ownership of their development
That’s why BE Golf emphasizes process over outcome.
What Parents Need to Know (This Part Matters)
The fastest way to stall a junior golfer’s growth?
❌ Chasing quick fixes
❌ Comparing them to other kids
❌ Focusing only on scores
The fastest way to accelerate development?
✅ Clear expectations
✅ Consistent coaching
✅ A supportive environment
Golf is a long game—for players and parents.
The BE Golf Pathway: From Junior Golfer to Confident Competitor
At BE Golf, we help juniors:
Build skills that translate under pressure
Learn how to practice with purpose
Understand what coaches actually evaluate
Develop confidence through preparation—not hope
Whether your goal is:
Making the high school team
Earning varsity status
Exploring college golf
👉 Clarity changes everything.
Final Thought: Don’t Guess Your Way There
The difference between juniors who make teams—and those who don’t—is rarely talent.
It’s direction.
If you want to:
Remove confusion
Build confidence
Create a clear golf pathway
Start with clarity.
Start with a plan.
Start with BE Golf.
Looking for guidance on your child’s next step in junior, high school, or college golf? We’re here to help you navigate the journey—one confident swing at a time.