Charlie Woods Commits to Florida State: A New Chapter in College Golf

The world of college golf is buzzing with the news that Charlie Woods, the son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, has announced his commitment to play at Florida State University (FSU) in the fall of 2027. This decision has intensified the already fierce recruiting rivalry between Florida State and the University of Florida and is a significant boost for the Seminoles' golf program.

A Highly Anticipated Decision

Golf fans and recruiters alike have been eagerly awaiting Charlie Woods' college decision. As a junior at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Florida, Woods has already made a name for himself, helping his high school team secure two state championships. On February 10th, Woods put to rest the uncertainty surrounding his college recruitment, announcing his commitment to Florida State University. His Instagram post, where he shared the news, was captioned, “Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University-go Noles!”

Joining a Star-Studded Recruiting Class

Woods will be joining a very talented team. The Seminoles' Class of 2027 is shaping up to be one of the most impressive in the nation, with Woods joining Miles Russell, the No. 1 junior player in the American Junior Golf Association's (AJGA) Rolex Rankings, who verbally committed to FSU in June 2024. This powerful duo has the potential to make Florida State a dominant force in college golf.

Kenny Knox, a Florida State Hall of Famer and three-time PGA Tour winner, expressed his excitement about the recruitment. He highlighted the potential for the team to win a national championship, emphasizing that securing commitments from two of the top junior players in the country is no easy feat.

Why Florida State?

While many speculated that Woods might follow in his father's footsteps and attend Stanford University, where Tiger Woods famously played before turning professional, Charlie Woods ultimately chose to stay in his home state. According to one Division I coach, Woods indicated early on that he wanted to stay closer to his Jupiter, Fla., home, and schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida and SMU were in the running. Several factors likely influenced his decision.

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Proximity to Home: Staying in Florida allows Woods to remain close to his family and support system.
FSU's Strong Golf Program: Florida State has a history of producing successful PGA Tour players.
Coach Trey Jones: Coach Jones has a proven track record of developing top talent and has built a program geared towards preparing players for professional golf. Jones has also cultivated relationships with successful PGA Tour players, including Luke Clanton, Brooks Koepka, and Daniel Berger.
Relationship with Coach Jones: Knox suggested that Jones has a really good relationship with Tiger Woods, having followed Charlie throughout his junior career.
Teaming Up with Miles Russell: The opportunity to play alongside the top-ranked junior player in the country is undoubtedly appealing.
FSU's Golfing Tradition: Florida State boasts a rich golfing tradition, with Seminole alums having won 58 PGA Tour events.

Charlie Woods' Impressive Junior Golf Career

Charlie Woods has been making waves in the junior golf scene. He is currently ranked No. 21 in the latest Rolex AJGA rankings. Among other rankings services, Woods is No. 43 in the Universal Golf Rankings' boys junior poll and No. 61 in Junior Golf Scoreboard's boys rankings.

His recent accomplishments include:

Team TaylorMade Invitational Win: In May, Woods won his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational, shooting 15 under par. This victory significantly boosted his ranking and earned him exemptions into future top events.
AJGA All-America First Team: Woods was named to the All-America First Team in the AJGA.
Top 10 Finish at Junior PGA Championship: He posted a top 10 finish at the Junior PGA Championship.
Two Top-20 Finishes in AJGA Invitationals: Woods strung together two more top-20 finishes in AJGA invitationals.
Consistency and Mental Toughness: Coaches and scouts have noted Woods' increased consistency and mental toughness, particularly his ability to perform under pressure.

The Impact of Tiger Woods

Being the son of Tiger Woods undoubtedly comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Woods regularly joins his father in practice rounds at Medalist Golf Club, their home course in Jupiter, playing with Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, and other PGA Tour pros, constantly picking their brains.

Having Tiger Woods as an insider involved in any college golf program will also undoubtedly have its benefits, from recruiting allure to access to resources.

Increased Scrutiny: Charlie Woods faces immense scrutiny and pressure due to his father's fame.
Access to Resources and Guidance: He has access to top-notch coaching and training resources, as well as the invaluable experience of learning from his father and other PGA Tour professionals.
Recruiting Allure: Tiger Woods' involvement in the program will undoubtedly attract other talented players.

The Rivalry with the University of Florida

Charlie Woods' commitment to Florida State intensifies the already heated rivalry between the Seminoles and the University of Florida. Both programs have consistently been among the top college golf programs in the nation. Florida won its fifth NCAA championship in 2023 while Florida State enjoyed its best-ever season in 2024 with an NCAA runner-up finish.

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The Gators have secured commitments from Giuseppe Puebla and Jessy Huebner, who are ranked No. 2 and No. 5 respectively in the latest AJGA rankings.

FSU's Golfing Legacy

Florida State's golf history is illustrious and led by Hubert Green, a 19-time PGA Tour winner and two-time major champion, and Paul Azinger, a 12-time PGA Tour winner and major champion. Current stars include West Palm Beach's Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion.

Knox also pointed to FSU's golfing tradition and Jones’ connections with several successful PGA Tour players he coached at FSU, including Luke Clanton, Brooks Koepka, Daniel Berger, Hank Lebioda, John Pak and others. Seminole alums have won 58 PGA Tour events.

The Future Looks Bright

With Charlie Woods and Miles Russell joining forces at Florida State, the future looks incredibly promising for the Seminoles' golf program. Their combined talent, along with Coach Trey Jones' leadership and the support of the entire FSU community, could propel the team to new heights.

Knox is eager to see how Woods develops in Tallahassee. He believes that Woods has as much potential as anyone in the country.

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A Dynamic Duo

Within hours of the announcement, Charlie was seen on the greens with Miles Russell. Ziregolf dropped a carousel of Woods and Miles Russell practicing together, referring to them as FSU’s new dynamic duo. In the fall of 2027, they will move from being rivals on the junior circuit to teammates at Tallahassee. The dynamic will change completely.

Russell and Charlie are currently two of the most talked-about names in American junior golf. Russell is ranked No. 1 among juniors worldwide, has made a Korn Ferry Tour cut, and broke Tiger Woods’ AJGA record at age 14. Both have competed on the same AJGA circuit in 2025, in the same class, and have been chasing the same ranking points.

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