Charlie Woods was brought up under the shadow of the legendary Tiger Woods, but his recent decision proved that he is more than his father's son.

On February 10, the 17-year-old confirmed his commitment to Florida State University, instead of his father's alma mater, Stanford University, which earned him a lot of eyeballs. His move also displayed that he is set built is own identity as one of the most popular amateur golfers.

Charlie shared an Instagram to announce his move. It's caption read, "Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University — go Noles!"

For several years, Charlie was known because of his last name. But this changed when his game started to speak louder. As a student at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, he helped his school win two FHSAA Class 1A state championships. His every swing and decision carried weight.

Tiger supported Charlie's decision as a father. He said, "It’s fun to be a part of the process with Charlie and see the opportunities he has created for himself by playing better," at the Hero World Challenge in December. 

Although Charlie is still a teenager, now he is a recruit, a headline; and his performances will be watched closely. But what are the reasons behind Charlie Woods' choice of Florida State?

Why Charlie Woods chose Florida State?

Charlie Woods chose Florida State because of two major reasons. First, it will allow him to stay close to family, and second, to grow independently beyond his father's legacy at Stanford. As per a report by GolfChannel.com, Charlie Woods’ second choice was Alabama. 

Apart from this, Florida State University offers him an ambitious environment to grow, as it invested $8 million in renovating the Seminole Legacy Golf Club. This makes it the best collegiate course in the country, and also in 2024, they finished as NCAA runner-up. 

Another reason is the head coach, Trey Jones, who is in his 23rd season now and has developed top players such as Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka. Charlie is joining the top-tier talents at FSU, including Miles Russell, who is ranked at No. 1 AJGA player. Together, they form a strong recruiting class in college golf. 

With top facilities, an experienced coach, and elite recruiting, Woods will have the perfect stage to grow into a leading golfer in the future.

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy