Charlie Woods, Jack Nicklaus and a Florida State golf program rising

 

Charlie Woods, Jack Nicklaus and a Florida State golf program rising

Jackie Nicklaus knows the Florida State golf program, knows the Seminole Legacy Golf Club and knows the area.

So when Nicklaus recently learned that Charlie Woods — the son of 15‑time major champion Tiger Woods — had committed to the Seminoles and would join coach Trey Jones’ top‑ranked 2027 recruiting class, his reaction was an enthusiastic double thumbs‑up.

“I just saw that young Charlie made a commitment to FSU,” Nicklaus said in a text to the Tallahassee Democrat. “I think it will be a win‑win for both Charlie and FSU. I know Charlie is a nice young man — and, obviously, a wonderful talent.”

Woods’ commitment continues to generate buzz, even though the junior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, won’t arrive on campus for at least another 15 months. He is part of FSU's top‑ranked 2027 recruiting class, which also includes the world’s top junior player, Miles Russell.
Nicklaus and Woods strengthen FSU's reputation


In 2017, Florida State hired Jack Nicklaus’ company, Nicklaus Design, to redesign its campus golf course, home to both the men’s and women’s programs. The Seminole Legacy Golf Club officially opened in 2020 following an $8 million–$10 million renovation directed by Nicklaus — widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time with a record 18 major championships — and his son, Jackie, who owns property in the area and frequently visits.


Additionally, Legacy has been recognized annually by GOLF.com as one of the top 30 courses in Florida.

“Obviously, having Jack Nicklaus’ name on the golf course is definitely a feather in the cap of Florida State University,” said Kenny Knox, a former FSU All‑American and three‑time PGA Tour winner.

Woods, who regularly practices with his father at their home course in Jupiter, has shown growing athleticism and consistency. He helped lead his high school team to a FHSAA Class A state title in November, firing a 4‑under 68 in the final round. He was also named a first‑team All‑American by the American Junior Golf Association and is currently ranked No. 9 nationally in his recruiting class.



Here are FSU's 2027 men's golf commitments

FSU boasts the nation's top 2027 recruiting class with Russell, Woods, Edwin Askerfors of Sweden and Kaden Puranik of Windermere. Here's a look at the players' accomplishments, compiled by College Golf Commits.

Russell: 2025 Northeast Amateur: 2nd; 2024 South Beach l Amateur champion; 2025 Junior Invitational champion; 2025 AJGA Boys Simplify Championships champion; 2025 AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions champion.

Woods: 2025 AJGA Team Taylormade Invitational champion; 2025 Junior PGA Championship: 9th; 2025 North & South Junior Amateur: 11th

Askerfors: Five junior event wins in Sweden in 2024/2025; 2025 AJGA Junior Players Championship ship: 10th; Three AJGA top-5 finishes in 2025; 2024 Notah Begay National Championship: 2nd; Two FJT wins & two top-5 finishes in 2025

Is Charlie Woods the real deal? Experts break down the FSU recruit’s golf game

Charlie Woods, the 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods, just committed to playing college golf at Florida State, a top program in the country. To knowledgeable observers, it’s clear he got there because he is one of the most promising developing golfers of his recruiting class — last name aside.

Wednesday, Woods announced his verbal commitment to the ACC golf powerhouse, where he’ll play under coach Trey Jones and likely land a massive name, image and likeness deal. NCAA regulations bar Jones and Florida State from commenting publicly on athletes until they are signed, which will happen in November for Woods, a high school junior. But the consensus on Woods’ recruiting profile, according to several industry sources speaking on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely, is that the high schooler has immense potential at the college level, and his spot on the Florida State roster is well-earned.

Rumors circulated from the start of Woods’ recruiting process that he might follow in his father’s and older sister Sam’s footsteps at Stanford. According to one Division I coach, however, 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. In December, the relationship between Woods and Florida State became apparent when Jones was photographed watching him compete in the Class 1A high school state championship in Florida.

The Seminoles are a premier NCAA golf program. FSU is also home to the No. 1 junior in the world, Miles Russell, who has verbally committed for the Class of 2027. The team finished as runner-up at the 2024 NCAA championships. Jones ushered the likes of Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger through his program and watched as they achieved success on the pro stage. Luke Clanton, the former No. 1 amateur in the world, also recently transitioned from collegiate golf at FSU to the PGA Tour. The team practices at the esteemed Seminole Legacy Golf Club, and the program is widely considered to have some of the best facilities in college golf.

“You’re going to Florida State, and you’re getting prepped to be a professional golfer. There’s no two ways around it; that’s how that program is built,” said one top-level junior and PGA Tour swing coach, who has ties to FSU.