Getting Started in Tournaments

The short answer: find a local US Kids Golf Local Tour event, a PGA Junior League jamboree, or a beginner-friendly tournament on your regional tour (HJGT, NTPGA, PKBGT, SCPGA, etc.). Register, show up, and don't make the first one mean more than it should. Here's what that looks like in practice. Readiness first Before entering any event, your junior should be able to: - Play 9 holes walking (or riding) without getting overwhelmed - Keep their own score on a scorecard - Know basic etiquette: tending the flagstick, not stepping in someone's line, pace of play - Understand that penalties, lost balls, and bad shots are part of golf, and not a reason to quit US Kids actually recommends that Local Tour players have previously shot 63 or lower on 9 holes from US Kids yardages. That's a floor, not a target — but if your junior hasn't done that, you may want to play a few more casual rounds first. Finding the right first tournament Two filters matter: format (9-hole events are better than 18 for a first tournament, even if your kid is "ready" for 18) and entry fee (lower-fee events generally have less intense fields). Good first-tournament options: 1. US Kids Golf Local Tours — designed specifically for beginners and early competitors. Age-appropriate yardages. Supportive environment. Weekly events in most metros. 2. PGA Junior League jamborees — team format, ages 13U. If your kid has teammates, the first-tournament nerves are lower. 3. Your section PGA junior tour's beginner series — most section PGA junior tours (NTPGA, PKBGT, SCPGA, JGAA, etc.) run "development" or "junior" series separate from their ranked competitive events. 4. Local course junior events — many public and private clubs run their own low-pressure junior tournaments, especially in summer. Use the [tournament finder](/tournaments) to filter by age and skill level ("Beginner"), or just ask in the chat: "What's a good first tournament near [your city] for a [age]-year-old?" What to expect on the day - Arrive 45–60 minutes early. Check in, get a yardage book or course map if provided, use the range, warm up. - The player plays alone. Parents are usually not allowed on the course during play, especially at US Kids events and ranked junior tours. You watch from outside the ropes. - Rounds take 3–4 hours. Plan accordingly. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a towel, tees, balls, sharpie, glove. If in doubt, pack it. - Your kid will probably play worse than at home. This is universal. Tournament golf is hard. Don't make a big deal of it. The biggest first-tournament mistakes 1. Overreacting to the score. The first tournament score is almost never predictive. The lesson is whether your kid wants to play another one. 2. Coaching during the round. At most junior events, this is against the rules and can result in a penalty or DQ. Support from outside the ropes only. 3. Picking an event that's too competitive. A "Regional" or "State" event is not a first tournament. Start local. 4. Skipping the post-round conversation. Ask what they learned, not what they shot.