Walking in the Shoes of Major Leagues, NCAA Also Announces an Astounding Change to Women’s College Golf

The year 2023 is the year of changes, specifically for golf. The rebranded LIV Golf League came up with four new teams, whereas the PGA Tour announced new changes to be implemented next season. However, these Tours are not the only ones undergoing change; college golf is also part of the list. According to the reports, Division I women’s college golf is adopting a new rule, which will be implemented in the 2024-25 season.

Division I women’s college golf is turning a new leaf

The coaches have been waiting for this day for years, and it has finally arrived. The NCAA competitions oversight committee approved the .500 rule for Division I women’s college golf. The rule will come into action from the next season. Division I men’s college golf already exercised this rule, and the female team was the only team who did not follow this rule in the sports world. Therefore, the committee asked why the rule was not implemented, but no answers were received.

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However, this rule was proposed in 2016, but it needed more votes to come into action. Mark Bedics, the NCAA’s associate director of championships for Div. I women’s golf revealed that the COC sent a survey to head coaches and assistants from all 269 D-I programs at the beginning of the year. 75% of responses were received, out of which 70% of the coaches were in favor of implementing the rule.

Campbell women’s coach, John Crooks, has been pushing for years for this rule. Finally, he’s happy that the rankings will be more accurate now. In an interview, he said, “Adopting the .500 rule is great news for women’s golf.” He added, “Finally, the NCAA Committee addressed the issue with fresh new eyes. I would personally like to thank the committee members for doing the right thing.” The PGA Tour has received the approval, and the women’s golf team will also be incorporating it soon.

What is the .500 rule in golf?

According to the rule .500, a team has to finish a regular golf season with “a .500 or better winning percentage head-to-head against other Div. I opponents to be eligible for regionals.” The only exception to the rule being if the team wins the conference title. However, this rule was first controversially introduced in Division I men’s golf in the 2007-08 season.

The main reason behind implementing this rule was to allow mid-majors and smaller-budget programs more opportunities to play. It will also help the players not to have a pack-like mentality against the elite golfers. Growing the game is the motto.

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What are your thoughts about the recent change in Division I women’s college golf? Please share your views with us in the comments below.