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First Junior Tournament


nix

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Just some friendly advice.

 

Don't judge your child by where they finish in a USKids local, or honestly any singular tournament. My son did not play his first USKids tour very well and finished second in the tour and second in all but one tournament. In the Spring he played considerably better (average of 8 shots better per round from longer distances) and finished 3rd in each round based on different competition. The competition at junior USKids tourneys is to varied to judge finish position as a marker of ability. That being said I do agree with the above poster to a degree. If my son shot anything above a 50 he would fully expect to come in last place as an 8 year old so I think you may have a little skewed view of score in relation to skill.

 

Key thing is though have fun with your son and enjoy the ride!

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Spend those USK fees on rounds of golf. He'll no later on if competitive golf is his thing. It's obviously not right now. Don't line their pockets while you all figure it out. Just go enjoy the game.

 

My kid was shooting mid 40's 1.5 years ago and I pulled him from USK as it wasn't worth paying the money for 4th place finishes.

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Took my just turned 10 year old to his first two uskids tournaments last weekend. He's a really gifted baseball player and a good golfer as well. We both had tons of fun, and he learned a lot about himself and his mental approach to sports. Day 1 we played in very hot/dry humid weather and he shot a 68. The next day it rained the entire round and he shot a 58. I was very proud of his perserverence and ability to grind out the entire round with much less than his A game.

 

 

I wish there were more kids who would come out to these tournaments though. It's mostly the very elite players coming and it skewed my sons perception of his golf skills. A better bell curve of players would be good all around. When players are coming in last, but are in reality very good golfers it can hurt the confidence of a young player. Regardless we're doing some more tournaments this fall around baseball and I look forward to caddieng some more.

 

You've gotten some good responses. The bottom line is that it's all upside for your son if hes genuinely got the interest and you have the time and resources to support him. Sounds like hes got some athletic ability.

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The top tier isn't playing US Kids locals at that age. That's more of the middle tier in most cases. Look for other local junior golf tours and events. There's absolutely a place for kids of skill levels to play and have fun.

 

There are no others in our locality. Local junior tour doesn't start till 12 or 13 I think.

 

Where is that? KC Junior Tour Prep division starts at 10 years old.

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The top tier isn't playing US Kids locals at that age. That's more of the middle tier in most cases. Look for other local junior golf tours and events. There's absolutely a place for kids of skill levels to play and have fun.

 

There are no others in our locality. Local junior tour doesn't start till 12 or 13 I think.

 

Where is that? KC Junior Tour Prep division starts at 10 years old.

 

Just turned 10 last week. None of the kids in his uskids division are able to play on the KCJT.

 

If they are 10 they are allowed to play in the prep division, which is a 9 hole division. All of the kids in his division would be allowed to play on the KCJT.

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The prep division had 13 competitors which is half the total of the 10/11 age groups combined from uskids. So the point remains the same. There aren't a ton of competitive golfers playing in our area, which skews the bell curve so there is some competition for a wider range of skill levels.

 

Doesn’t skew the bell curve. There would simply be more of every group of kid. Your son is near the bottom score wise right now. Even if there were 100s of kids, scores of 50 and higher from 4500 yards would be near the bottom for a 10 year old percentage wise. Instead of dead last he might be 10th from last, but instead of 7th he’d be 123rd. The curve would still be the same

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The prep division had 13 competitors which is half the total of the 10/11 age groups combined from uskids. So the point remains the same. There aren't a ton of competitive golfers playing in our area, which skews the bell curve so there is some competition for a wider range of skill levels.

 

Doesn't skew the bell curve. There would simply be more of every group of kid. Your son is near the bottom score wise right now. Even if there were 100s of kids, scores of 50 and higher from 4500 yards would be near the bottom for a 10 year old percentage wise. Instead of dead last he might be 10th from last, but instead of 7th he'd be 123rd. The curve would still be the same

 

Disagree 100%. But whatever.

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The prep division had 13 competitors which is half the total of the 10/11 age groups combined from uskids. So the point remains the same. There aren't a ton of competitive golfers playing in our area, which skews the bell curve so there is some competition for a wider range of skill levels.

 

Doesn't skew the bell curve. There would simply be more of every group of kid. Your son is near the bottom score wise right now. Even if there were 100s of kids, scores of 50 and higher from 4500 yards would be near the bottom for a 10 year old percentage wise. Instead of dead last he might be 10th from last, but instead of 7th he'd be 123rd. The curve would still be the same

 

Disagree 100%. But whatever.

 

Why don’t you look at PGA Junior league? You’ll see more volume.

 

You can disagree all you want but I’ve been around junior golf for nearly 30 years. There’s a good number of 10 year olds shooting under par from 5,500 yards let alone 4,500 yards and could shoot 68 for 18 holes. I don’t think you have a grasp at how good very good is at 10 years old and how many great junior golfs there are our there

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The top tier isn't playing US Kids locals at that age. That's more of the middle tier in most cases. Look for other local junior golf tours and events. There's absolutely a place for kids of skill levels to play and have fun.

 

If things go right, I think this is the last year my son will play US kids locals. We are going to SCPGA and then try for player's tour and then Toyota Cup / AJGA. That's if I don't run out of money first. :scare2:

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https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/Results/4a29d9f4-18c8-47d9-af08-9615f700eee3?boolQual=False

 

These are normal scores here. The 9-10 age group played from significantly further than US Kids plays from. These are 36 hole events and every kid broke 100 both rounds (boys and girls 9-10). Second worst score for the boys was 82/86

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Nix, thanks for reporting your experience. . Lots of critical responses, disappointing. I really like to hear peoples experiences and stories from all stages of their junior golf journey. I dont think you even asked any questions, you just reported on your his first tmnt experience and it sounds like it went well and you and him both had fun, and you got unsolicited opinions about how crummy US Kids Golf is ???? It doesnt sound like you are setting out to make your child an elite college golfer, so ignore the noise. If you had fun, do it again. If not, dont. Yes it costs money. Everything costs Money, experiences cost money. Nothing wrong with paying US Kids fees to be a part of something that you both enjoy. This crowd can sometimes forget that not everyone here is trying to maximize their junior golfer to an elite competitive level. This forum can serve well everyone from the guy starting his 4 year old daughter on golf for FUN to someone persuing D1 college scholarships. Keep us posted how he progresses through the season - Its amazing how quickly they can get better during that first season once they figure things out.

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You have guys like Huebner and Dunham there which are household names in big time tournaments. Hell Dunham is probably bigger than me and he's only 10. That's just unfair. lol

 

Hes 53 135lbs

 

And my point was how good the bottom of the leaderboard is, not the top

 

Taller and heavier than my 13 yo.

I am GenX.  If you really think I care about what you have to say, I don't.

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https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/Results/4a29d9f4-18c8-47d9-af08-9615f700eee3?boolQual=False

 

These are normal scores here. The 9-10 age group played from significantly further than US Kids plays from. These are 36 hole events and every kid broke 100 both rounds (boys and girls 9-10). Second worst score for the boys was 82/86

 

In the northeast US Kids is the most competitive for 12 and under. Most PGA sections do not start until age 12. MET has a 7-11 but does not attract the most talented kids for the 10-year old age group. Hurricane is a joke and has 3 competitors in that age group. Re setup - I see 5000 yards on that Florida tour. US Kids 10 is set up at 2500 for 9. Can you describe how setups down south are much tougher?

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https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/Results/4a29d9f4-18c8-47d9-af08-9615f700eee3?boolQual=False

 

These are normal scores here. The 9-10 age group played from significantly further than US Kids plays from. These are 36 hole events and every kid broke 100 both rounds (boys and girls 9-10). Second worst score for the boys was 82/86

 

In the northeast US Kids is the most competitive for 12 and under. Most PGA sections do not start until age 12. MET has a 7-11 but does not attract the most talented kids for the 10-year old age group. Hurricane is a joke and has 3 competitors in that age group. Re setup - I see 5000 yards on that Florida tour. US Kids 10 is set up at 2500 for 9. Can you describe how setups down south are much tougher?

 

That’s the setup for 9-10 year olds, US Kids plays 4500ish for 9 year olds. 36 hole 2 day events are completely different animal than 9 hole events.

 

In local PGA section junior tour 10 year olds play from 5,500-5,700. Event below was from 5600 yards. 500-600 yards longer than US Kids sets up events at the same courses is the standard.

 

https://nfjgf.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/nfjgf18/event/nfjgf1824/contest/25/leaderboard.htm

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https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/Results/4a29d9f4-18c8-47d9-af08-9615f700eee3?boolQual=False

 

These are normal scores here. The 9-10 age group played from significantly further than US Kids plays from. These are 36 hole events and every kid broke 100 both rounds (boys and girls 9-10). Second worst score for the boys was 82/86

 

In the northeast US Kids is the most competitive for 12 and under. Most PGA sections do not start until age 12. MET has a 7-11 but does not attract the most talented kids for the 10-year old age group. Hurricane is a joke and has 3 competitors in that age group. Re setup - I see 5000 yards on that Florida tour. US Kids 10 is set up at 2500 for 9. Can you describe how setups down south are much tougher?

 

That’s the setup for 9-10 year olds, US Kids plays 4500ish for 9 year olds. 36 hole 2 day events are completely different animal than 9 hole events.

 

In local PGA section junior tour 10 year olds play from 5,500-5,700. Event below was from 5600 yards. 500-600 yards longer than US Kids sets up events at the same courses is the standard.

 

https://nfjgf.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/nfjgf18/event/nfjgf1824/contest/25/leaderboard.htm

 

But that’s 10-12. I would hope with 12-year olds in the field the yardages would be closer to 6000. In any event, are caddies allowed? I think that makes the biggest difference in pga section events as opposed to US kids. Kids need to learn how to play on their own by age 10. And I think better juniors would welcome 36-hole events as opposed to 9-hole events.

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https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/Results/4a29d9f4-18c8-47d9-af08-9615f700eee3?boolQual=False

 

These are normal scores here. The 9-10 age group played from significantly further than US Kids plays from. These are 36 hole events and every kid broke 100 both rounds (boys and girls 9-10). Second worst score for the boys was 82/86

 

In the northeast US Kids is the most competitive for 12 and under. Most PGA sections do not start until age 12. MET has a 7-11 but does not attract the most talented kids for the 10-year old age group. Hurricane is a joke and has 3 competitors in that age group. Re setup - I see 5000 yards on that Florida tour. US Kids 10 is set up at 2500 for 9. Can you describe how setups down south are much tougher?

 

That’s the setup for 9-10 year olds, US Kids plays 4500ish for 9 year olds. 36 hole 2 day events are completely different animal than 9 hole events.

 

In local PGA section junior tour 10 year olds play from 5,500-5,700. Event below was from 5600 yards. 500-600 yards longer than US Kids sets up events at the same courses is the standard.

 

https://nfjgf.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/nfjgf18/event/nfjgf1824/contest/25/leaderboard.htm

 

But that’s 10-12. I would hope with 12-year olds in the field the yardages would be closer to 6000. In any event, are caddies allowed? I think that makes the biggest difference in pga section events as opposed to US kids. Kids need to learn how to play on their own by age 10. And I think better juniors would welcome 36-hole events as opposed to 9-hole events.

 

The whole point is that 10 year olds have to compete with 12 year olds. And the moment they turn 13 they play from 6700. No caddies are allowed. The ability to shoot back to back 18 hole rounds under par at 10-11 years old is very different than playing 9 holes. And again the point of posting was to show that the second worst player shot 82/86.

 

Everyone has to start somewhere and I believe everyone should enjoy golf regardless of ability. But I also think telling someone they are very good when they are well below average from a competitive golf standpoint will do nothing but hold them back. Be positive but not to the point where it’s not close to reality.

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The prep division had 13 competitors which is half the total of the 10/11 age groups combined from uskids. So the point remains the same. There aren't a ton of competitive golfers playing in our area, which skews the bell curve so there is some competition for a wider range of skill levels.

 

Doesn't skew the bell curve. There would simply be more of every group of kid. Your son is near the bottom score wise right now. Even if there were 100s of kids, scores of 50 and higher from 4500 yards would be near the bottom for a 10 year old percentage wise. Instead of dead last he might be 10th from last, but instead of 7th he'd be 123rd. The curve would still be the same

 

Disagree 100%. But whatever.

 

Why don't you look at PGA Junior league? You'll see more volume.

 

You can disagree all you want but I've been around junior golf for nearly 30 years. There's a good number of 10 year olds shooting under par from 5,500 yards let alone 4,500 yards and could shoot 68 for 18 holes. I don't think you have a grasp at how good very good is at 10 years old and how many great junior golfs there are our there

 

I don't think you grasp my point. I won't keep repeating myself though. Good day.

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