High school golf is often an oversight by the golf industry but is an incredibly vital aspect of the community. It’s where many players, both casual and competitive, first begin to play the game and develop a passion for golf. The main purpose of NHSGA is to give high school golf the love, visibility, resources, and recognition that it rightly deserves. Here are the main items that everyone should know about high school golf.
1. Unlike most junior golf tournaments, high school golf is team and individual-based – Most junior golf tours like the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) operate tournaments where boys and girls compete individually. What high school golf offers is a real team atmosphere where you are practicing with a coach and your teammates every day.
2. There are over 220,000 high school golfers who play nationally – According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, there were 144,024 boys and 78,781 girls that made up the high school golf community in 2017-18. The high school golf community is one of the largest community of golfers within the industry.
3. Each state’s high school athletic association governs golf differently – Some states run golf in the spring, others in the fall, and a select few in both. Also, women’s and men’s are not always the same season. States host either an 18, 36 or 54 hole state tournament and either two, three or four player scores are used toward a team total. To learn more about differences between states, check out our blog article on high school golf seasons by state.
4. High school golf has never had a national competition, until this year – The first ever High School Golf National Invitational takes place this June in Orlando. The Invitational field will be made up of 224 boys and 124 girls of the top high school golfers from across the country.
5. Less than 7% of high school golfers go on to play at the varsity level in college – Many high school golfers are ultra-competitive, but others are just out there to learn the game and enjoy time with friends. While it certainly helps bolster college golf resume’s, high school golf is also a great place for the casual player to have fun and be part of a team.
6. Any former high school golfer can play competitive golf in college with the NCCGA – The National Collegiate Club Golf Association runs competitive and fun golf tournaments for non-varsity players. Scores range from 65-110 and are co-ed and open to all college students. If you are unable to play varsity golf at your dream school, you no longer have to choose between your education and golf.