When should we start visiting colleges?

Gary, from Illinois asks:

When should we start visiting colleges?

Start anytime. I would recommend driving through a campus or two when your teen is approaching 9th grade. Or, plan to stop for lunch and walk around. Many college cafeterias allow guests to pay and dine. Between 9th and 10th grade, check with college admissions, take a tour, observe a class in session, and explore a dormitory. It is acceptable to ask the coach for 10-20 minutes with advance notice during your freshman and sophomore year (provided it is allowed by the recruiting rules). Do not be disappointed if the coach is unavailable. You will appreciate the coach’s schedule when your child is on a roster.

Please be respectful of time when you ask. The coach will have paperwork to do if you speak and have an unofficial visit.

It may be helpful to visit a campus with just 2-3k students and compare to larger schools of 15-20k students. Observe classes in both environments.

Consider the practicality of playing golf in different climates. Perhaps limit your school visits to either southern or southwestern schools if you want to play outdoors year-round. If this is not a concern, expand your choices to include Ivy League schools, (strong academics), or northern division III schools which may include more time away from golf during the academic year. However, some northern programs have impressive facilities for indoor putting and practicing during inclement winter weather.

Also think about visiting schools of different division levels. Wonderful programs exist in all divisions. Always ask yourself, “Will I be happy here if something unforeseen happens and I am unable to play golf?”