Charlie Woods Commits to Play Golf at Florida State
Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, has verbally committed to play golf at Florida State and will be a member of the 2027 recruiting class. This decision marks a significant milestone in Charlie’s golf career, as he prepares to join the Seminoles under the guidance of experienced coach Trey Jones.
Woods, a junior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has been making waves in the golf world with his impressive performances. He skyrocketed to 21st in the Rolex American Junior Golf Association rankings after winning the Team TaylorMade Invitational with a 54-hole total of 15-under 201 last May. This achievement is particularly notable, given that he was ranked 604th before picking up his first AJGA victory.
Charlie’s golf career has been on an upward trajectory, with notable performances including a tie for ninth at the Boys Junior PGA Championship in July and for 18th at the Rolex Tournament of Champions in November. He also helped The Benjamin School capture a Florida High School Athletic Association Class A state title in November, carding a 4-under 68 in the final round. These accomplishments demonstrate his growing skill and dedication to the sport.
A New Path for Charlie Woods
By selecting the Seminoles, Charlie Woods elected not to follow in the footsteps of his famous father, who played two seasons at Stanford before turning pro in August 1996. This decision highlights Charlie’s desire to forge his own path in the golf world, while still benefiting from the guidance and expertise of his father. Tiger Woods’ daughter, Sam, is a freshman at Stanford, demonstrating the family’s strong connection to the sport and academic institutions.
Tiger Woods has commented on the differences in the recruiting process, noting that “it’s been very different” with the advent of cellphones and faster communication between coaches and players. He observed, “Now, you have cellphones. We didn’t have cellphones. We would have written letters that would show up in the mailbox. It’s just very different how fast coaches can communicate with the family members and the player that they’re trying to recruit.” This shift in communication highlights the evolving landscape of college sports recruitment.
Florida State’s Golf Program
Seminoles coach Trey Jones, who is about to begin his 23rd season, has a proven track record of developing talented golfers. In addition to Charlie Woods, Jones has also secured a commitment from Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, who is No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA rankings. Florida State was runner-up at the 2024 NCAAs, demonstrating the team’s competitive prowess. Notably, Jones has coached several successful golfers, including five-time major champion Brooks Koepka and PGA Tour member Daniel Berger.
With Charlie Woods joining the team, Florida State’s golf program is poised for continued success. The combination of experienced coaching and talented young players like Charlie and Miles Russell will undoubtedly make the Seminoles a force to be reckoned with in the golf world. As Charlie prepares to embark on this new chapter in his golf career, he is sure to face exciting challenges and opportunities, all while representing the Florida State Seminoles.
