How many of you avoid certain tours

tiger1873 · January 9, 2020

As I travel to different tours it amazing how different they are run. Some tours are very very poorly run everything from how hard the course is setup to just overall management. While other tours are real well run and seem to have extremely tough setups.

How many of you avoid certain tours? From what I can see local tours are the worst especially US Kids and PGA sections. Once you start going state level and national tournaments there is a lot different feel and they seem like you really have to up your game. I think US kids regional are a little better too. The thing I also noticed is the scores are much more predictable too in these larger tournaments.

Looking at the tournament schedule it really seems that travel is needed.

wildcatden · January 9, 2020

9YO boy - played one (1) JGANC event last year as an 8YO. Have played USKG as 6&7YO.

We used to play USKG locals but $65 for 9-holes in the last season was a no thank you. USKG state events are usually OK price. USKG Regionals for 9-hole age groups a ripoff. USKG State/Regionals for 18-hole ages are reasonable pricing (or at least in line with other tours).

As far as quality for how events are run, I’ll have to get back to you. One thing I have liked about JGANC is that they sent out a dedicated scorekeeper/rules official with each group. I’d be curious to hear about experiences from others on JTNC events.

BB28403 · January 9, 2020

I always wondered what it was like for parents taking their “future tour stars” around to tourneys. Renting hotels, finding food, practice facilities, funding it all! Phew! Sounds like a lot of fun and also a bit stressful!

tiger1873 · January 9, 2020

Is JGANC in northern California? The dedicated scorer for each group is awesome would almost fly across the country for that.

Here in South Florida we have a lot different tours. I am talking about girls in relationship to tours which is vastly different then boys experiences and I am sure those with boys see things differently.

US Kids- pretty much like everywhere else. Good competition but really not worth the money if you want to do them a lot.

SFPJGA tournaments I have found quality can very a lot when it comes to how many officials and how things are enforced sometimes they are great and other times you wish you didn't go. In general they are also way too many players in any given tournament which means it's a little hectic when warming up and finishing. With girls though you never have a big field like the boys so you deal with the general overcrowded fields without the extra girls to play against.

FJT - In general these are pretty well run. Not sure how things will shake out but they are splitting up the tournaments and while I think it looks like a big gain for boys I think it means more limited fields for girls in general.

HJGT - These are pretty well run and have good setups. Tournaments here can really vary depending on the field but there are nicee courses on the tour and you can run into really good competition out there at the right tournament. Also very expensive unless you plan ahead and become a member. Doing early bird and having a membership you end up closer to $200 a tournament so defiantly worth it.

IMJ - I feel like these tournaments are ok but they usually are kind of expensive for what you get.

There are some other tours like AGJA but we all know those are the best.

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wildcatden · January 9, 2020

Yes, JGANC is Northern California. We have had good experience with it. https://www.jganc.com/junior/programs/jganc/index.html

JTNC is Junior Tour of Norther California. Their events are weekends and 2-day 18-hole affairs. Average cost is $135/tournament. Supposed to be well run is what I have heard.

Medson · January 13, 2020

I'm new to junior tournaments, so pardon my off topic questions. What are the some of junior tours I will need to be on the look out for now and in the future. My kid is 7 years old. I'm based in Northern California.

So far, I see U.S. Kids (local, regional, etc), JGANC, JTNC, AGJA. I think I have also seen HJGT in NorCal.

I gotta admit these acronyms make my head hurt. Again, I'm looking for what is available now and down the road. Thank you. If I thread hijack, feel free to point me to another thread.

mrshinsa · January 13, 2020

If you're NorCal, you only need to play US Kids at that age. Lot of JGANC is on the weekdays, hence not very popular. JTNC is for 12+ yo, AJGA for 14+, and noone really plays HJGT up here.

tiger1873 · January 13, 2020

At 7 your tournaments are really limited. Some people will travel with younger kids but that I think really depends on the person and if you think you feel the need to based on what is local and if you think it will be a good experience for you and your kid.

I don't know what is locally available but mrshinsa seems to have some good comments on the area. When kids get older you end up doing multi-day events probaly around 12 or 13 you start thinking about it. The hardest part is selecting tournaments. I try and select what seems to make sense for what ever I am trying to accomplish. Below is a process I go through

I consider anything within a 5 or 6 hour drive close to me. This gives a lot more choice. I will travel farther but it better be a great tournament or be a great course.

I then consider the course. Lots of great tournaments are not on courses that are that great. I tend to avoid those with bad fairways, greens, etc...

For me I like to play tournaments with AGJA stars or qualifies for something else. At some point we will get enough stars that we will end up with different goals.

I used to look at the field but not so much anymore. It's great if the field is large and has other good players but I have stopped chasing the same tournaments as everyone else and I think I am getting better results and development. I am not saying I don't run into the same people it's just we have our goals and they have theirs.

wildcatden · January 13, 2020

JTNC is between 10-18 years old by tournament day – (players under 10 can request exemption). You must have a handicap established. The way I understand it is that your handicap will place you in the Championship Division or the First Flight (B flight).

wildcatden · January 13, 2020

JGANC is a great organization, but many of the tournaments for your age group (7-9) will have yardage that is far too long. JTNC and HJGT distances fall into similar category unless it is a "Par 3" type tournament.

USKG is the only game in town or First Tee might be another choice if you find yourself just having to play tournaments. We played USKG at ages 6&7. Looked to play last fall at age 8, but USKG Bay Area Tour prices are now $65 for 9-holes ($75 for 18-hole ages) which is a total rip-off IMHO. I suspect the Summer Tour (most popular) will have yet another increase. We quit playing USKG Locals. Might play some USKG Locals again at age 11 when they are 18-hole events.

nicelife · January 13, 2020

I think the AIGA events are poorly run and their staff is rude. Just because I'm 41 and a mediocre golfer doesn't mean that I shouldn't be allowed to compete against children. I fly on a private jet and have a five person on-course staff just like everyone else. #LETMEPLAY

The other tours are great. 5 Star Yelp reviews all around.

Watch out kids! Work has been pretty bad this winter and I've been doing a lot of emotional eating. A LOT. I'm going to beat the worst of the children, regardless of gender, and sabotage the careers of those that beat me with negative comments on their YouTube recruiting videos. COME AT ME!!!!!!!