You’ve taken your son or daughter out to the driving range and they’re crushing the ball. They love spending time with you for a quick nine holes at the local golf course and their swing is getting better all the time. You’re curious what the next step is and if your child should compete in their first junior golf tournament.
As parents of a junior golfer, my husband and I were clueless on where to start. Turns out there’s no rulebook on getting started, but there’s also more to it than randomly selecting one and hoping for the best.
Putting them into junior golf tournaments is a delicate balance between knowing if they’re physically ready, finding the right tournament for their skill level, and making sure they’re mature enough to handle winning or losing. And while there’s no right or wrong age, some juniors are ready for this next step sooner than others.
Signs Your Child May Be Ready for a Junior Golf Tournament
Your child may be begging you to sign up for a tournament or you may have to be the one gently encouraging them, so how do you know if they’re truly interested?
- Knows the basics of golf: One of the first rules of thumb is if they’re consistently hitting the ball from the tees and knows the basics of golf course etiquette. This includes hitting the ball the majority of the time and making short putts on a somewhat consistent basis.
- Displays (some) emotional maturity: While we can’t expect our kids to be on their best behavior at all times, they should have some level of maturity that allows them to stay focused throughout the tournament and whether they win or lose.
- Your child likes competition: If your child enjoys competing with others, looks forward to competition, and is willing to follow the local golf rules, then it’s another sign of readiness. Make sure competing is something they want…and not something Mom and Dad want for them.
- Participates in practice: Whether they prefer practicing at the home course or having fun in group lessons, if they’re willing to commit to a practice schedule then it’s another good sign they may be ready. And if they’re begging to keep practicing or playing after they’ve finished 9 holes, then you know they’re developing a genuine interest.
Keep in mind your child’s readiness is also based on your family dynamic too and if you feel they can handle the ups and downs of a tournament round.
Which Junior Golf Tournament Should We Sign Up For?
If you feel like your child is ready for a junior golf tournament, then your next question is most likely which tournament or tour should you enroll them in. It’s important you do the research and find a good fit because you definitely want a skill- and age-appropriate option so they don’t get too frustrated.
Thankfully the game of golf is growing rapidly, which means there are more opportunities now for beginner-friendly golf tournaments than ever before. I recommend starting your research with a local public golf course. Private clubs may even offer one-day tournaments that are beginner-friendly too.
For even more organized competition, I also highly recommend looking into:
- U.S. Kids: Open to junior golfers age 6 (or under) and available throughout the country. It’s also one of the most well-known and well-run organizations focused specifically on junior golf.
- Under Armor Junior Tour: Another fantastic option for junior golfers ages 6 to 18. You can find locations throughout the country and it offers plenty of opportunities for organized competition.
- PGA Jr. League: If you think your child may benefit from a team approach then take a look at the PGA Jr. League. It offers a fun, relaxed competition for almost any junior golf age while still learning golf etiquette and rules. Warning—spots fill up quickly with these, so register early!
Benefits of Playing in Junior Golf Tournaments
You may be wondering what the rush is for getting your son or daughter into a junior golf tournament. While there’s no hard and fast rule regarding what age a child should start, enrolling in a junior golf tournament can have a wide range of benefits for your junior golfer.
- Builds character and resilience: If you’ve played golf yourself then you understand how mentally challenging it can be. Junior golf tournaments also challenge kids and teach them how to manage stress, practice patience, and overcome setbacks with perseverance.
- Encourages physical fitness: Walking the course, swinging the club, and carrying equipment provide a full-body workout, helping improve strength and endurance. This is a perfect solution if you’re worried they spend too much time on the phone or playing video games!
- Develops social skills and sportsmanship: Playing with kids their own age, interacting with officials, tournament staffers, and other adults helps them learn better communication skills. They’re also expected to respect the rules and learn fair play.
- Enhances goal setting and discipline: Prepping for a tournament and getting into a practice routine encourages our kids to set goals and go after them. If they learn this on the golf course then there’s no reason it can’t translate to schoolwork or other areas of life that require a bit of discipline.
- Potential for college scholarships: As your junior golfer advances, the exposure in tournaments can open doors for them to play in college.
Junior Golf Tournament Resources
I always like to offer a few resources for parents or anyone interested in getting involved with tournament golf.
If you’d like more information on prepping for a tournament then check out our free pre- and post-tournament checklist for your junior golfer! You can grab it here.
You can also use a tool like the Junior Golf Hub Tournament Finder that helps you easily locate options in your state. If you see a tournament that piques your interest but you’re not sure if it’s appropriate for your child, I encourage you to reach out to the tournament director. They’re happy to answer questions!