Benefits of playing up

[jigsaw1011]

In our local PGA section a 12 year old can play in a division with an age range of 12-18 with longer yardage or play a division with 12-14 year olds with about 300-350 less yardage. What are some of the benefits or negatives of having a 12 year old "play up" ?

[leezer99]

One day event or two day events?

[wlm]

PBE or exemptions is a potential benefit of playing up, if those are offered. In my experience, 12 is pretty young to play with 18 year olds.

[kekoa]

Depends if he can hit driver about 280 or so. If he isnt beating everyone in his age group by a good margin and isnt extraordinarily long for his age, i would keep him in the 12-14 division.

[Tocgolfer]

If he/she is mid pack in results and wants a challenge then let them try a tournament that is longer. If there are others the same age it’s possible they will be grouped together and 350 yards longer over 18 holes Might mean an extra club is needed on a couple of holes.

Sometimes kids need a challenge to see how they are progressing and what needs to be looked at to improve.

[CTgolf]

I think it really depends on the PGA section and the quality of juniors who are playing.

 

In our section the 12-14 division actually includes some of the better players in the area, as there are limited options for them to compete without significant travel. This contrasts with the older division, which typically is comprised of kids who are not the strongest tournament players. So you sometimes see the top players of the age group play in the Junior PGA Section events in 12-14, while almost never see the top players in the 15-18.

[jj9000]

Benefit of a 12YO playing against 18YO = learning to get your @ss kicked by 18 YO

 

Negative of a 12YO playing against 18YO = learning to get your @ss kicked by 18 YO

[tiger1873]

 

 

> @leezer99 said:

> One day event or two day events?

 

If the younger division is 1 day and the older 2 day I would almost certainly say you should want to play the 2 day event if they can handle it. It's not always possible but if you can play a 1 day tournament on Saturday and then another on Sunday to see if they can handle it.

[jigsaw1011]

Just to answer a few questions -- Some of the events would be one day and some would be two day events. He is not the longest driver but is pretty accurate. His strength is his short game. He does well in his current age group, not dominating, but wins more times then not. Strength of field in his age group is pretty good. My main concern is he is not an assertive kid so if there was a rules conflict/cheating with older kid he might be too intimidated.

[BertGA]

> @jigsaw1011 said:

> Just to answer a few questions -- Some of the events would be one day and some would be two day events. He is not the longest driver but is pretty accurate. His strength is his short game. He does well in his current age group, not dominating, but wins more times then not. Strength of field in his age group is pretty good. My main concern is he is not an assertive kid so if there was a rules conflict/cheating with older kid he might be too intimidated.

 

If you’re just worried about confidence/assertiveness, I would think getting him out there and testing him is the way to go.

[tiger1873]

> @jigsaw1011 said:

> Just to answer a few questions -- Some of the events would be one day and some would be two day events. He is not the longest driver but is pretty accurate. His strength is his short game. He does well in his current age group, not dominating, but wins more times then not. Strength of field in his age group is pretty good. My main concern is he is not an assertive kid so if there was a rules conflict/cheating with older kid he might be too intimidated.

 

My concern would be driving distance if a kid is not long in driving distance for their age moving them up is not usually a good thing. I wouldn't be worried about cheating if you in a good tour that will not be a big issue. With rules he needs to learn to call an official.

[leezer99]

My son is 11 and plays up in single day events in the 12-14 age group of our local PGA chapter. One, it helps him see where he stands against 'tougher' competition and two, it allows him to play a full 18 holes instead of just 9 for the 9 - 11 groups. For multi day events he typically plays in his age group but will move up if it's advantageous for him to do so.

[JuniorGolfParent]

For those playing up, what kind of yardage difference is it typically? And are your kids able to reach greens in regulation for all the holes?

 

Seems like it would be challenging unless the child is an exceptionally long hitter for age?

[leezer99]

> @JuniorGolfParent said:

> For those playing up, what kind of yardage difference is it typically? And are your kids able to reach greens in regulation for all the holes?

>

> Seems like it would be challenging unless the child is an exceptionally long hitter for age?

 

It's usually 400 - 500 more yards per nine. Has no problem hitting greens in reg albeit he may have to hit a 5 or 6 iron whereas a bigger kid might be hitting an 8. (I am not counting US Kids in this as their yardages are intended for kids to score well by being short)