Any Collegiate Golfers Out There?

[clubchamp]

  jamo said:

Originally Posted by jamo

You guys that did play golf in college, what majors did you have? I ask out of curiosity only because I'm a mechanical engineering student, and I couldn't imagine adding golf to my schedule.

Majors-Economics and Finance (a lot of the courses crossed over so as a double major it isn't that hard)

Minor- Business Management (again a lot of courses crossed over)

  The_Pharaoh said:

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Oh, I just remembered something VERY important.

Do not go to college thinking the coach is a golf instructor and will be giving you lessons every day. 99% of coaches are glorified bus drivers that pick the team and drive them to tournaments. You will have the facilities and time to practice, but unless you search for your own instruction, you will be left to your own devices to get better. I arrived in the US playing quite well but steadily went downhill as I moved from freshman to senior. My coach was a great guy, my American father, but had no idea how to help you with your swing when things got tough and there were no decent instructors in the area. I spent most of my days searching for my game on the range with only the odd helpful tip from one of my colleagues. I was fortunate there were only 4 golfers better than me on the team so I went to most tournaments.

I have spoken to hundreds of European golfers over the years that went to the US on a golf scholarship only to find themselves in the same situation. And I'm talking D1 schools here too and people I know currently at college. I am not complaining, just giving you a heads up. Bear this in mind when you choose a college.

While this is true for the most part it's not entirely the case as my coach in college was the head pro at a local course. There was a couple other schools that head pro's from the area as their coaches. I do agree with don't go there expecting the coach to be a pro but it's more of something to keep in mind not something to determine what school.

[BigDaddy_Sean]

I majored in Computer Science and minored in Accounting.

15 credit hours is more than enough per semester.. loading up more will be tough.

And that's not entirely true about coaches at the collegiate level... My division II school my coach was the head pro, and played on florida tours when younger.  The assistant pro helped out as well who was also a teaching pro.  Around here now, most of the DIII or community college coaches are assistant pro's at local courses.

Our schedule usually consisted of 2 1/2 hrs practice every other day, and playing every other day.  Practice was 45 minutes putting and chipping, 45 minutes 100 yards and in, 45 minutes full swings.  Strict schedule .. helped a lot .. I hit the ball great now, I can't putt for crap because I don't put in the practice time.  If I had my putting now that I had back then, I'd be unstoppable.  If I hit the ball in college like I do now .. same way.

[clubchamp]

  BigDaddy_Sean said:

Originally Posted by BigDaddy_Sean

I majored in Computer Science and minored in Accounting.

15 credit hours is more than enough per semester.. loading up more will be tough.

And that's not entirely true about coaches at the collegiate level... My division II school my coach was the head pro, and played on florida tours when younger.  The assistant pro helped out as well who was also a teaching pro.  Around here now, most of the DIII or community college coaches are assistant pro's at local courses.

Our schedule usually consisted of 2 1/2 hrs practice every other day, and playing every other day.  Practice was 45 minutes putting and chipping, 45 minutes 100 yards and in, 45 minutes full swings.  Strict schedule .. helped a lot .. I hit the ball great now, I can't putt for crap because I don't put in the practice time.  If I had my putting now that I had back then, I'd be unstoppable.  If I hit the ball in college like I do now .. same way.

Things might be different depending on where you go to college but I had to have 120 hours to graduate. Basically 15 credits a semester was the norm if you wanted to graduate in 4 years. Also 12 was the minimum you could take to still be eligible to play sports. Granted you could take summer classes if you wanted to keep pace or you could get on the 5 year program.

Your practice schedule was much more strict than mine we didn't really even have a list of things to do at all. Usually there was some range time or short game practice and if you finished in the top 4 at the last tournament you basically played 9 holes. If you finished in the bottom 2 you had to do a qualifying match. Now if you were having problems with your swing you could talk to the coach and he would help you out.

[Daniel Watkins]

  jamo said:

Originally Posted by jamo

You guys that did play golf in college, what majors did you have? I ask out of curiosity only because I'm a mechanical engineering student, and I couldn't imagine adding golf to my schedule.

I take right around 20 every semester. Its brutal

[The_Pharaoh]

  clubchamp said:

Originally Posted by clubchamp

While this is true for the most part it's not entirely the case as my coach in college was the head pro at a local course.

  BigDaddy_Sean said:

Originally Posted by BigDaddy_Sean

And that's not entirely true about coaches at the collegiate level... My division II school my coach was the head pro, and played on florida tours when younger.

I am glad this is changing as I was very disappointed to find my 'coach' was actually the college's Health teacher. It never occurred to me to ask him before I accepted the scholarship. I stupidly assumed coaches would be professional golfers or golf instructors. Our assistant coach didn't have a clue about golf and spent his time making sure the driving range was well maintained. At least he had a use!

We had to create our own schedule. Thankfully, we were keen and disciplined.