Format & Rules

The Basics

PGA Junior League Golf consists of local golf leagues, where children are placed on teams and play against each other, using a fun and social two person “scramble” format.The program is available to boys and girls, 13 and under, of all skill levels. Golf Professionals serve as “Captains” of each league to foster a fun, welcoming environment that also encourages skill and character development. PGA Junior League Golf-China is organized locally by Captains in your community. Each Captain is responsible for scheduling their League’s and Team’s matches. Captains must have their Leagues complete their matches within the season: (Season One- April 1- July 15, Season Two September 1-December 15).

While the format and key pillars of PGA Junior League Golf apply to all teams and leagues across the country, the program is organized at the local level by individual PGA and LPGA Professionals in your community. As such, the way in which each league or team operates - whether it be the number of teams in a league, the scheduling of games or the number of practices - may vary slightly from team to team.

PGA Junior League Golf-China can be played both indoors and outdoors.

Schedule

Registration for your local team or league typically takes place between February through April. The regular season of PGA Junior League Golf occurs between April 1 and July 31st. For those players that advance to the Post-Season of PGA Junior League Golf, those games begin in August.

Depending on the number of teams in your local league, your regular season games can take place at any point between April and July. For information specific to your regular season schedule, please consult with your PGA or LPGA Professional Captain.

League

A league is made up of local teams within your geographic area, minimizing the distance and amount of time spent commuting between games.

A league will have between four to seven teams and may consist of teams from just one facility or teams from a collection of facilities.

During the course of the regular season, your team will play a game against each team in your league.

Each League has 4-6 teams. It is strongly suggested that each facility host multiple Leagues. Friends, family and spectators are encouraged to attend and watch but are NOT allow to participate or aid players.

Game

A game is played between two teams. Depending on who the home team is, in addition to course scheduling and availability, will determine where the game is played.

During the course of a game, four matches are played by at least two players from each team against each other.

The winner of the game is determined by the total number of points won within all matches.

Friends, family and spectators are encouraged to attend and watch - but not participate or aide - each game!

Two PGA Junior League Golf teams congratulate each other at the conclusion of their game

Scramble

A two-person “scramble” format is popular because it encourages teamwork and makes the game fun for players of all skill levels.

Each player will tee off at the beginning of each hole. The team then selects their best shot of the two and then each player plays again from the spot of the selected shot. Repeat this process until the ball is in the hole.

The team with the lowest score wins the hole.

Two players and an alternate play a scramble, while the opposing team waits

Flags

"Flags" are 3-hole segments within each match. Each match is played over the course of 9 holes; there are three Flags per match.

Whichever team wins the most holes within each Flag wins the corresponding Flag.

Points

Each Flag won by the team is worth one point. Each tied Flag won by the team is worth a half point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Since there are two matches in each game, and each match is played for a maximum of three points, there are a maximum of 6 points total in each game.

Captains

Each PGA Junior League Golf league is Captained by a golf professional!

These golf professionals create an inviting and welcoming environment for all to enjoy the game. They also provide critical instruction to help young participants advance both their golf skills and character development.

A PGA Professional Captain celebrates with a young player

Team

A team is four to six players, boys and girls of any ability level, who play together during the course of a game against another team.

Each team is Captained and instructed by a PGA or LPGA Professional and may have the administrative assistance of a parent volunteer / coach to assist in the administration of team business.

A PGA Junior League Golf team celebrates, while their Captain looks on

Match

A match consists of two teammates (or three, with a substitute) competing against a similar grouping from an opposing team in a fun two- person "scramble" format.

The match lasts for nine holes and is broken into three 3-hole segments, which are called "Flags".

Two players from each team compete against each other in a "Match"

Substitutes

Due to PGA Junior League Golf's recreational nature, every player on the team is encouraged to participate.

While each match is only actively played by two players from each team at any given time, team Captains may substitute a player into the match at the start of any Flag. All youngsters who show up for a match must play at least one Flag.

Alternate/ Substitute players can still help their team by reading putts, discussing strategy, tending the flagstick and aiding pace-of-play. At no time should a substitute feel left out of the team's efforts!

An alternate, who is actively participating in his team's success, celebrates