Player Eligibility

The JGTA values competitive junior golf and believes that the growth of the game and the advancement of the next generation of prominent golfers depend on fair, competitive tournament entry policies and systems including specified competitive eligibility criteria.

The JGTA organizes, conducts and sanctions Majors and Invitationals exclusively for Tour Card-holding members.  Therefore, only holders of active JGTA Tour Cards may apply for and compete in JGTA Majors and JGTA Invitationals.

However, junior golfers who do not hold an active Tour Card, but meet JGTA eligibility criteria and complete player verification on JGTA.ORG, are eligible to earn Merit Points and be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit.

Official Competitive Eligibility Criteria

Updated: 01/05/2021

The JGTA’s official eligibility criteria qualifies male and female junior golfers who qualify to compete in JGTA events, be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit and earn AJGA PBE Status.  It is the responsibility of players to become familiar with the competitive eligibility criteria of the JGTA so that they know if they are eligible to earn Merit Points for their performance in JGTA Sanctioned Events, become ranked on the Junior Order of Merit, apply to and compete in JGTA Majors and Invitationals, and earn AJGA PBE Status from their final ranking at the end of the season.

  • The JGTA and the Junior Order of Merit is reserved for amateur golfers.
  • Players must be no older than 18 years of age to be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit, and to compete in JGTA Majors or JGTA Invitationals.
  • Players must be no younger than 11 years of age to be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit, and to compete in JGTA Majors or JGTA Invitationals. 11 year-old players must turn 12 years of age prior to June 1 following the current JGTA season.
  • Once a player starts college, they are no longer eligible to be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit, and to compete in JGTA Majors or JGTA Invitationals, regardless of age.
  • Players who have graduated high school as of January 1 of the current year are no longer eligible to be ranked on the Junior Order of Merit, and to compete in JGTA Majors or JGTA Invitationals, regardless of age.
  • Players who violate either the JGTA’s or the AJGA’s Code of Conduct Policy may be deemed ineligible for the Junior Order of Merit.