What Handicap Do You Need for a U.S. Golf Scholarship?

An Essential Guide for Aspiring Golf Scholarship Athletes and Their Families

If you’re a talented young golfer dreaming of combining your education with elite competition, a U.S. golf scholarship could be your golden ticket. But one of the first—and most common—questions international golfers and their families ask is: What handicap do I need for a U.S. college golf scholarship?

The short answer? It depends.

The golf handicap is just one of many things golf coaches look at when recruiting for their rosters.

A more important factor for coaches is a golfer’s scoring average in competitions as this can show the level they play to in tough courses and in pressure situations.

Another key data point they will look for is the player’s standing on the world amateur golf rankings, or their respective national or regional rankings.

We’re here to break it down further for you.

Understanding the U.S. College Golf System

Before diving into handicap numbers, it’s important to understand the landscape of college golf in the United States. College golf is split into different associations and divisions, each with varying levels of competitiveness:

• NCAA Division I – The highest level, with top facilities, coaches, and competition.
• NCAA Division II – Still very competitive but with more flexibility in academic and athletic balance.
• NCAA Division III – Focuses on academics; no athletic scholarships but strong golf programs.
• NAIA – Similar to NCAA Division II, often with more international players.
• NJCAA – Junior college (2-year colleges); a great pathway for developing golfers.

A general guide to golf handicaps required for college teams

Here’s a general guide to the average playing level coaches are looking for, based on your golf handicap:

 These are just benchmarks. A slightly higher handicap doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the running, if you’re showing the potential to improve and are on an upward trajectory of performance.

What Else Matters Besides Handicap?

Handicap is important—but it’s not the only thing coaches care about.

Tournament Experience

• Coaches want to see how you perform under pressure.
• Strong finishes in regional, national or international events carry more weight than medal rounds at your local club.

Stroke Average

• This is the average score you shoot per round - in tournament play.
• A consistent stroke average of 72–75 (men) or 74–78 (women) is competitive for many scholarships.

Academic Eligibility

• The NCAA and NAIA have minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements.
• Strong academics can boost your chances—especially if you’re slightly below the handicap benchmark.

Coachability & Attitude

• Coaches are building teams, not just recruiting talent.
• A respectful, disciplined, and hard-working mindset can tip the scales in your favour.

A Special Note for International Players

If you’re from outside the U.S., you may not have the same exposure levels to U.S. coaches on a regular basis, but many college coaches will attend the major amateur events in Great Britain and Ireland, and continental Europe during the summer months. They will also be keeping a keen eye on the major junior tours and national events, so it is important to enter the big tournaments at your level.

U.S. coaches actively recruit international talent, and here are a few key tips on how you can stand out:

• Create a strong golf resume – Include your best scores, tournament finishes, stroke average, and handicap history.
• Film your swing and tournament play – Coaches love video.
• Get help from experts – FirstPoint USA can help with the recruitment and scholarship process.
• Start early – Recruiting can start as early as age 15.

It’s About More Than Just the Numbers

There’s no one-size-fits-all handicap for earning a U.S. golf scholarship. But with the right playing level, strong academics, tournament experience, and a great attitude, you can absolutely make it happen—even if you’re not a scratch golfer yet.

Many successful student-athletes start with junior colleges or NAIA programs and transfer up. Others shine in NCAA Division II or III programs while getting a top-tier education.

Ready to Tee Off Your U.S. College Journey?

If you’re serious about playing college golf in the U.S, research early, build a standout recruitment profile on the FirstPoint USA platform, and be seen by top golf coaches across the USA.