FCG International vs IMG Junior World vs FCG Callaway Worlds

For SoCal residents and people familiar with these tournaments:

How would you rank the 3 events in terms of quality of field, how well they are run, overall experience, etc?

They are back to back to back - do you plan on playing some or all of them? Would playing 2 of them back to back (IMG + Callaway) be too much for someone traveling from another part of the US? Any other considerations?

I'm not a fan of the FCG International courses they play so I'd skip it. Most kids coming from out of the area are playing in the IMG and Callaway.

We've played all of them at a couple different times and here are my thoughts.

The FCG Callaway is a ton of fun, particularly for the younger kids. It's an early morning shotgun and you're done by 1pm with lots of time to go play afterwards in the pools. Its usually REALLY hot, 110F+ during the week, which is the big downside to that event. The early morning shotgun helps a lot, but it's still really hot. The courses are all very nice, and the event is well organized and put together. Would definitely recommend this event.

IMG JR World is very well run and organized. It definitely has the toughest competition with players from all over the world. To place well at this event you really have to bring your A game. Courses are mostly pretty good and tough. This is one event we try not to miss each year.

FCG International isn't that big of an event. It seems mostly as a placeholder for travelling international kids to come play to get warms up for IMG. The courses are average like Leezer said, though the competition is still usually pretty good. It's a qualifying event for IMG the following week, and since most of the kids are already qualified, it's a good way to sneak into the tournament if you haven't already qualified. I'd probably rank this one third of the three.

Good post! I’ve always wondered about the FCG International, thanks!

The only one I'm interested in is the IMG. Will try hard to qualify for it this year. One of the toughest field with a lot of international players. I do question some of their ages though.

You've never played with a 10 year old that has a moustache?

Asians don't grow facial hair until their mid 30's.

How old Is your kid? If your kid is young, then playing the FCG Callaway Palm Springs event is the best. Most fun event of the three for all ages.

If your kid is 15 and older, then the IMG event is the most important of the 3, and is attended by the most college coaches by far. Feels as if there are 3 or 4 coaches on every hole.

The FCG International is a good event, but not good or fun enough to travel to attend. If your kid is gonna play the, IMG, then the International is a nice event to play the week before.

Generally, there is also an open one day qualifier for the older divisions hosted by the SDJGA at the Sycuan golf course for those not qualified for the IMG.

We're planning a trip over from New Zealand this year for US kids worlds (promised my boy if he won the national event we would go). He qualified for IMG at the same time. So now we have an event at the start of July and the end. Theres a chance that he may qualify for the World Stars event in Vegas but that means winning another tournament! We are thinking 3 events will be enough, with a family trip to Disney in the middle. If he doesn't qualify got the Vegas tournament what would you guys recommend? My boy is 8 and will be at the time of the tournaments. Cheers!

World Stars in Vegas is a fabulous event. Don't miss that. You'll have a blast playing and enjoying Vegas. You can contact the guy who runs it directly to get in if your son doesn't qualify.

If you play IMG and are traveling and can swing it, makes sense to add Callaway as it is the week right after.

Anyone know if IMG would allow an exception if you qualified and then didn’t play? Trying to figure out if it’s worth asking. My son won’t be able to play the qualifier events. We skipped last year because we did US Kids World Championship.

How old is he? I believe U8 can send past score in, but older than that you have to play a qualifier to get in or have placed top 5 previous yr for auto exemption.

Depending on where you are from, age division and what qualifiers are around you.

You could always email and ask.

If you happen to see a top 25 teacher on their list they can send an email on your behalf and 9/10 times with a solid playing resume Chris or Antrone will let you in. We haven't had to do that but our coach (who is on their top 25 list) has offered if we need. Already qualified for 2020 so we won't need to ask this year.

Antrone and Chris don’t run the IMG. But yes they will probably let your kid into the FCG event at Palm Desert if you call/email.

FCG Callaway has a new application process now, so no need to email Chris or Antrone for an exemption. 2020 FCG Callaway World Championship Application

So the good news is my son has qualified for IMG, World stars and FCG Worlds. We've decided to not do the IMG due to travel costs, means we would spend another 2 weeks in the US which would mean 5 weeks total. Now we are trying to decide between World stars in Vegas and the FCG worlds. Has anyone done both? or any recommendations for one vs the other? Doing the FCG event looks like it will easier from a travel perspective and then we can fly out of LA to Pinehurst.

I’d do IMG if I could only pick one. That’s arguably the toughest competition and has the longest history.

Except the champions flight the rest of the field plays on not so great courses. At FCG everyone is playing on a nicer Palm Springs course plus the atmosphere is much better.

*This is an opinion based comment. Please don't crucify me.

Depends on the age in younger groups I’d avoid img because it’s a par 3 contest with a few par 4s, And those par 3s require driver. Older groups I hear it’s much better

My boy is 8 so it looks like they play a proper layout rather than just Par 3's. Thinking of missing IMG because of timing.The palm springs courses look awesome and i've had some great feedback on the event as well!

I believe only 6U boys and girls play a Par 3 course (Colina Park). My boy is 7 this year and will be playing on a proper course. We just got our exemption letter this morning!

Yeah, FCG does play nicer courses. There are merits to all of them (FCG, IMG, USKG).

I know girls 8 played a course setup that was mostly par3s with a few par 4s can’t speak on the boys side.

Have not been to the Vegas event. This being said and correct me if I am wrong, the Vegas event does not have early tee times, therefore beating the heat may not be an option. The Vegas event is a walking event versus the FCG Palm Desert, where carts are used in a shotgun format.

The FCG rounds are finished by noon each day, which leads to pool time at the host hotel where everyone has fun. Parents can go out later in the afternoon if inclined and play some great courses on the cheap due to the heat. (It is not that bad)

While the FCG event has a more family atmosphere and a few events in the late afternoon and evening, Vegas is Vegas and adults have something to do.

Oh that’s right, girls play Pine Glen. The boys play Oak Glen.

We've played both FCG and Vegas World Stars. The Vegas event does give every kid a cart and they do have early tee times and the course they play is amazing and every year it's been cooler in Vegas than in Palm Springs. They are both really great events but we prefer Vegas. The course they play is fantastic and tournament is well run.

He’s 9 but will playing as a 10 year old, so would be the same division. There’s so many tournaments going on it’s hard to decide which ones to play.