I was very confused when I started looking into tournament play. There were different organizations and different playing formats. I didn't know which way to go. Here is what I learned. There are 3 kinds of competitive golf for juniors, traditional tournaments, team play and club leagues.
Traditional Tournaments
There are two organizations in our area that do traditional tournaments, IJGA and US Kids. They are both great groups. IJGA has more tournaments and participants. The holes are shorter than us kids tournaments but IJGA does not allow parents on the course. They are highly organized and run top notch tournaments. Tournaments are a drive. They tend to focus on the north and northwest suburbs.
Here is an IJGA clip
US kids is another great organization. The holes are a bit longer than IJGA but they allow and encourage parents to be caddies for their child. By high school, almost all competitive golfers are in IJGA but some argue that at the younger ages, US kids provides a better foundation. This region is not for the average or even above average youth golfer. They may get frustrated and want to drop out. It is an option for the exceptional golfer however. For example at the 9 year old level scores of 40-45 are the norm on difficult courses with holes over 250 yards. If you want to get a good snapshot of US kids golf at a national level, watch the documentary the short game on Netflix. The closest tournaments are Oswego and Aurora. Others seem to focus on the western suburbs with a couple scattered up north. Here is a clip
Team Play
A new evolution has started in junior golf. PGA Junior Golf league is starting teams throughout the country. These are run like little league teams for golf. Play is done through a best ball format. Teams wear jerseys and there are coaches. Unfortunately, golf clubs in our area have not picked up this program yet. The closest programs are in Oswego and Naperville.
Clip for PGA Junior Golf
Club Leagues
These take various forms but they are a group of you that play at one course. Courses that have club Leagues are The Sanctuary, White Mountain, Mill Creek and Silver Lakes
First Tee
First Tee is an organization that seeks to teach kids about character through golf. Their is a chapter in Joliet.
Traditional Tournaments
There are two organizations in our area that do traditional tournaments, IJGA and US Kids. They are both great groups. IJGA has more tournaments and participants. The holes are shorter than us kids tournaments but IJGA does not allow parents on the course. They are highly organized and run top notch tournaments. Tournaments are a drive. They tend to focus on the north and northwest suburbs.
Here is an IJGA clip
US kids is another great organization. The holes are a bit longer than IJGA but they allow and encourage parents to be caddies for their child. By high school, almost all competitive golfers are in IJGA but some argue that at the younger ages, US kids provides a better foundation. This region is not for the average or even above average youth golfer. They may get frustrated and want to drop out. It is an option for the exceptional golfer however. For example at the 9 year old level scores of 40-45 are the norm on difficult courses with holes over 250 yards. If you want to get a good snapshot of US kids golf at a national level, watch the documentary the short game on Netflix. The closest tournaments are Oswego and Aurora. Others seem to focus on the western suburbs with a couple scattered up north. Here is a clip
Team Play
A new evolution has started in junior golf. PGA Junior Golf league is starting teams throughout the country. These are run like little league teams for golf. Play is done through a best ball format. Teams wear jerseys and there are coaches. Unfortunately, golf clubs in our area have not picked up this program yet. The closest programs are in Oswego and Naperville.
Clip for PGA Junior Golf
Club Leagues
These take various forms but they are a group of you that play at one course. Courses that have club Leagues are The Sanctuary, White Mountain, Mill Creek and Silver Lakes
First Tee
First Tee is an organization that seeks to teach kids about character through golf. Their is a chapter in Joliet.