Charlie Woods Commits to Play Golf for Florida State University and Charts His Own Path Away from Father Tiger Woods’ Legacy in Florida

Charlie Woods, 17-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, has officially committed to playing for Florida State University, charting a course of his own as he aims for a professional career in golf.

The news was announced Tuesday afternoon, cementing his decision to stay close to home in the Sunshine State rather than following his father’s footsteps to Stanford University.

The choice comes as a surprise to some fans who assumed the young Woods might naturally gravitate to the West Coast powerhouse where Tiger made his mark in the 1990s.

Instead, Charlie is opting for independence, determined to make his own name while benefiting from the strong golf program at Florida State.

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A Star-Studded 2027 Class Awaits at FSU

Florida State coach Trey Jones secured a major coup with Charlie’s commitment, joining forces with Miles Russell, the No. 1 player in the American Junior Golf Association Rankings.

The Seminoles’ 2027 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent years.

Charlie is currently a junior at The Benjamin School, where he has already made headlines by winning a state title with a team-best score of 68.

His impressive performance didn’t go unnoticed—FSU’s coaching staff had been tracking him for some time, seeing in him both talent and potential.

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Family Legacy Meets Personal Choice

While Tiger Woods’ shadow looms large over the world of golf, both he and Charlie have stressed the importance of carving out an individual identity.

Tiger himself joined Stanford in 1994 on a scholarship, winning eight tournaments in 1996, earning Male Freshman of the Year honors in 1995, and taking the NCAA individual championship.

Yet Charlie’s choice signals a desire to build his own journey, rather than simply echoing his father’s past.

“The biggest thing we’ve tried to teach him is that we want Charlie to be Charlie.

We don’t want Charlie to be Tiger,” Toby Harbeck, Charlie’s head coach at The Benjamin School, told Golf.com in 2023.

Tiger has been supportive throughout the recruiting process, sharing that he enjoys watching his son explore opportunities and make his own decisions.

“It’s fun to be a part of the process with Charlie and go through it and see the opportunities that he has created for himself,” Tiger said.

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Florida State’s Golf Heritage Adds Momentum

FSU is no stranger to producing PGA Tour-caliber players.

Alumni include Brooks Koepka, Paul Azinger, and Daniel Berger, all of whom honed their skills with the Seminoles before turning professional.

Charlie’s addition to the program will likely draw significant attention to Florida State, especially given the Woods name and his already impressive junior achievements.

The program also benefits from Florida’s year-round golf climate, giving Charlie ample opportunity to refine his skills while remaining close to family and friends—a key factor in his decision to stay in the Southeast.

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The Pressure of Legacy and Expectation

Despite his family name, Charlie’s coaches and father have emphasized development over expectation.

Charlie’s older sister, Sam Woods, currently attends Stanford, further highlighting his choice to pursue a separate path.

As he prepares for collegiate competition, the young Woods is learning to navigate the unique pressures that come with being the son of one of the greatest golfers in history.

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What’s Next for Charlie Woods

Charlie will officially join the Florida State Seminoles golf team after graduating high school, likely competing in tournaments across the ACC and nationally.

Observers will be watching closely to see how his game develops under the guidance of Trey Jones and how he handles the inevitable comparisons to his father.

In the meantime, Charlie continues to compete at the junior level, maintaining a rigorous schedule while preparing for the transition to college golf.

With Tiger’s guidance and his own dedication, he hopes to turn collegiate success into a future professional career, perhaps one day teeing off on the same PGA Tour courses that defined his father’s legendary journey.

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Charlie Woods’ choice signals a mix of independence, strategic thinking, and talent, showing the next generation of Woods is ready to step onto the fairway on his own terms.