By Rex Grayner, SVP Business Development, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour
Every family dreams about the day their junior golfer earns a college scholarship.
It feels like the payoff for years of early mornings and long weekends. It feels like a finish line. But the truth is simple. The scholarship landscape you are walking into for the 2025–2026 school year is not the same one that existed a year ago. The rules have changed. Roster sizes have changed. And the way coaches build their teams has changed with it.
If you want to help your junior golfer navigate the path ahead, you need clarity. This article gives you the updated reality. It corrects the assumptions that hold families back. And it gives you a practical roadmap so your child has every chance to succeed.
The New Roster Limit Reality for 2025–2026
For decades, “4.5 scholarships for men” and “6 scholarships for women” defined college golf. Those limits still apply at some Division I schools, but the House settlement created a new structure that families must understand. According to NCSA, a trusted partner of the HJGT and one of the most widely used recruiting resources in college sports, Division I programs that participate in the House model now operate under hard roster limits.
Men’s Golf (D1 House participants). Maximum roster size of 9 players
Women’s Golf (D1 House participants). Maximum roster size of 9 players
Within those nine roster spots, coaches can award aid however they choose. They can use nine full scholarships. They can divide dollars across the roster. They can build a mix that fits their budget and Title IX requirements. Scholarship flexibility is higher than it has ever been. Roster space is tighter than it has ever been.
Many coaches expect real pressure on roster construction this year. Some conferences, including the SEC, have already communicated or signaled a move toward 8-player roster caps, which is allowed. Conferences are free to set stricter limits than the national standard.
For those programs, the equation becomes even more selective.
Division I schools that do not participate in the House settlement
These schools face no roster limit. They continue with the old scholarship structure.
Men. 4.5 scholarships
Women. 6 scholarships
That creates a split reality across Division I. Some programs are capped at eight or nine players. Others can still carry larger rosters but only have the same limited scholarship pool.
Families must know which system each school is operating under. It shapes opportunity.
What Has Not Changed
Outside Division I, nothing is different for 2025–2026.
Division II. Men get 3.6 scholarships. Women get 5.4.
Division III. No athletic aid.
NAIA. Five scholarships per roster.
NJCAA. Eight scholarships and larger rosters.
Junior golfers will continue to find strong opportunities at every level of college golf.
The Reality for Walk-Ons in 2025–2026
This is the part families often overlook.
Walk-on opportunities will shrink under the new model. When rosters are capped at nine. and some conferences drop to eight. coaches have less flexibility to carry developmental players. The old model let a coach bring in a walk-on who could develop over time. That option is harder to justify now.
Families cannot assume there will be extra room. If your child is aiming to walk on at a Division I program in 2025–2026, the plan must be intentional. Communication must start earlier. And performance must show a clear reason for a coach to use one of those limited roster spots.
Misconceptions That Hold Families Back
I have heard the same stories for more than twenty years. Here are the ones that create the most confusion.
“If my child shoots under par they will get a full ride.”
Scores matter. They do not determine the size of the offer.
“Only Division I matters.”
Some of the best experiences in college golf sit in Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO.
“Coaches only care about performance.”
They care about grades, maturity, reliability, communication, and how a player handles adversity.
“Grades do not affect scholarship money.”
Strong academics free up athletic dollars and reduce risk for coaches.
“We can start junior year.”
If you wait to start your junior year, you are behind. Make meaningful progress before coaches are permitted to correspond with you.
And adjusting your expectations early gives you a major advantage.
What College Coaches Want in 2025–2026
Coaches are recruiting more than a swing. They are recruiting someone they can trust inside a limited roster. Coaches want:
Consistent scoring in strong fields. Single rounds do not matter. Long-term trends do.
Strong academics. This is one of the biggest ways to add value.
Coachability. How does your child respond when things get tough.
Character. Integrity matters in college golf.
Team fit. With small rosters, chemistry shapes performance.
Self starters. Coaches want players who take initiative.
Whit Turnbow. former Division I coach and current President of the Tennessee Golf Foundation, put it simply.
“Be the driver. not the passenger. in your college recruiting journey. Coaches want to hear from the athlete.” He is right. Ownership matters now more than ever.
How to Maximize Scholarship Opportunity in the New System
You do not have to be a nationally ranked player to get recruited. You need structure, habits, and consistency.
- Start early. The best recruiting journeys begin in eighth, ninth, or tenth grade.
- Play the right tournaments. National multi-day events like the HJGT schedule help coaches evaluate your scoring trends.
- Prioritize academics. Good grades create leverage and increase opportunity.
- Create a simple recruiting video. Coaches want to see course play. Not production value.
- Lead with communication. Your child should email coaches. Not you.
- Stay open minded about levels. The right fit may not be Division I.
- Stay organized. Track outreach, schedules, and follow-ups.
- Use guidance when needed. A knowledgeable mentor can help you stay aligned.
Fit Still Matters More Than Anything Else
Families often focus on the dollar amount. I have seen too many players choose a program based on money and find themselves unhappy a year later. Scholarship value matters. Fit matters more.
Ask one question.
Would I choose this school if golf were not involved.
If the answer is no, keep searching.
The right fit includes:
- A coach who believes in your growth
- A team culture that feels healthy
- An academic program that aligns with long term goals
- A campus where your child feels at home
Scholarship packages get you in the door. Fit determines whether your child thrives.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2026 school year marks a real shift in college golf. Roster limits are tighter. Scholarship models are changing. Academic strength has never carried more weight. And there is more competition for fewer roster spots.
Families who understand the new landscape have a major advantage. Start early. Ask questions. Build a plan. And help your child develop the habits that matter every day.
At the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, we believe every family deserves clarity in this process. If you want help building a tournament plan or reviewing a college recruiting strategy, we are here to support you every step of the way.
