A question we always get asked at Junior Golf Hub is, “Am I ready for AJGA golf?”. We have a few different methods you can run through to test your readiness to compete at this next level.
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is a popular junior golf tour most commonly known for its quality-run events and opportunities to start and increase your junior golf rankings. Playing in AJGA tournaments is a typical path to playing golf in college.
Should I Play in AJGA Golf Tournaments?
Now that you know the why the AJGA is the place to be, let’s determine when you want to start playing AJGA golf tournaments.
Assess Strength of Field in Regional Junior Golf Tournaments
Junior Golf Hub’s philosophy as it relates to junior golf tournament scheduling is “Crawl, Walk, Run.” First, you’ll want to play in local, or one-day events, close to home; then you’ll progress to regional events (36 or more holes) within your state or region. Lastly, you’ll graduate to national events, which also have a minimum of 36 holes but can require nationwide and international traveling.
You progress to the next level when you are either (a) winning or (b) very competitive at the previous level. Here a few good questions you can ask yourself before signing up for AJGA junior golf:
- How competitive am I at the regional level?
- Have I won an event? Or placed top 5 or top 10 in multiple events?
- Do I have a solid track record (meaning more than one or two good rounds)?
If you can answer these questions in the affirmative, then you may be ready for the next level. If not, take some time to consider whether the AJGA is the right path for you. While a popular route to get noticed by golf coaches, it is not the only way to get recruited.
Research AJGA Tournament Scoring Averages
The AJGA also publishes the scoring average ranges by gender and type of event on its website, allowing you a chance to objectively compare your scores. These numbers will tell you what it takes to compete on the biggest stage in junior golf.
Here is a summary of 2021 scoring averages and yardages by AJGA series for boys:
- Preview Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 79.7
- Average yardage: 6,601
- Qualifier Junior All-Star Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 77.9
- Average qualifying scores: 76.8
- Yardage: 6,603
- Qualifier Open Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 78.1
- Average qualifying scores: 73.8
- Yardage: 6,766
- Junior All-Star Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 75.1
- Yardage: 6,601
- Open Series
- Top 50% shot an average of 75.0
- Yardage: 6,831
- Invitational
- Top 50% shoot an average of 74.7
- Yardage: 7,192
Here is a summary of 2021 scoring averages and yardages by AJGA series for girls:
- Preview Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 80.7
- Average yardage: 5,630
- Qualifier Junior All-Star Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 78.2
- Average qualifying scores: 79
- Yardage: 5,703
- Qualifier Open Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 79.9
- Average qualifying scores: 77.1
- Yardage: 5,880
- Junior All-Star Series
- Top 50% shoot an average of 75.8
- Yardage: 5,690
- Open Series
- Top 50% shot an average of 76.4
- Yardage: 5,940
- Invitational
- Top 50% shoot an average of 76.3
- Yardage: 6,206
Factor in the Cost of Junior Golf Tournaments
As an elite junior golf tour, the AJGA does have a cost to factor into your decision making. Perhaps you only travel to a couple events or want to apply to the ACE Grant program for financial aid. No matter your journey, the AJGA and Junior Golf Hub are here to help.
How Do I Play in AJGA Tournaments?
After deciding you’re ready to play on this junior golf tour, it’s important to understand the AJGA point system, or AJGA rankings. You will often hear “performance based entry” around this tour, and earning AJGA performance stars will be key to competing in these events.
There is certainly a strategy to getting involved with the AJGA and kickstarting your junior golf rankings, and Junior Golf Hub is here to help you every step of the way. Between our junior golf guides and our team, we can answer all your questions and help you take that next step in your career.