What started as an idea scribbled on a napkin has grown to over 75,000 kids playing on teams nationwide. While the program has evolved to include expanded age divisions, year-round play and an enhanced All-Star experience for competitive players, the commitment to our values of Safety, Care and Organization remains steadfast.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501 (c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH. We envision a world in which PGA Jr. League is accessible to every child, everywhere, regardless of background or circumstance. We believe that golf is for the collective, and everyone deserves to feel a deep sense of belonging to healthy and caring communities.
Behind each and every PGA Jr. League team is a PGA Coach providing a safe, caring and organized environment for every child to become (and stay) a golfer. These experts in the game are provided with flexibility to create a coaching program that works best for their players and families.
Easily one of the best parts of PGA Jr. League is the team component! All kids will be a part of a local team that may consist of anywhere from four or more players.
Teams are part of leagues, organized together so that games can be played and local league standings can be kept.
Some leagues may be held entirely at one facility under a PGA Coach. These in-house leagues include multiple teams that practice and play at the same facility each week, though some in-house leagues may travel to other facilities for friendly matches or Play Days.
Other leagues may be formed across multiple facilities, where teams take turns visiting each other’s golf courses and playing against one another.
Each team is broken down into two-person pairs (or three if a substitute is included) who play together in games.
All PGA Jr. League games are played in a two-person scramble format. This means that both players in a pair hit drives. The best shot is selected, then each player plays from the selected spot, and this process continues until the ball is holed.
The scramble format is key in allowing everyone to hit shots and contribute to the team. PGA Jr. League utilizes match play scoring, which focuses on performance vs. a score-to-par as is traditional with golf.
Within a PGA Jr. League game, pairs play in a head-to-head, 9-hole match. Each match is broken into three flags. Each flag is three holes in a row, and each team has the opportunity to earn points at the end of each flag.
Depending on league and player eligibility, many players will have the opportunity to compete in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season. The Championship Season consists of a mix of head-to-head matches, as well as team stroke play competitions, where scores are calculated based upon performance to-par.
Learn more about what PGA Jr. League has to offer and find programs near you.
