More Ways for Junior Play
The NCGA is excited to share that the 2025 Junior Golf program in Northern California will be better than ever – with more opportunities for more juniors to compete against players at their respective levels.
An annual $30 NCGA membership purchased via Youth On Course and an established Handicap Index is required to participate in either NCGA JUNIORS Events or in Junior Tour of Northern California Events.
JTNC also requires an $85 membership and starting in 2025, has new requirements with handicap cut-offs for that championship-level play.
Note if the junior player is already an NCGA member through another qualified club, such as a private course/club, they already have all of the NCGA and Youth On Course benefits and do not need to join again.
NCGA Juniors
New in 2025 are (9) single day and (3) two day flighted events open to all NCGA Juniors 18 and under with a NCGA or Youth On Course membership. These new flighted events are designed to provide more juniors with more opportunities to compete more equally for experience and exposure to competitive golf.
To play in a NCGA JUNIORS Event you must meet the following requirements:- Have a current NCGA Junior membership via Youth On Course
- Have an established Handicap Index at the time of entry into the tournament
- Have an index of 6.1 or higher for girls and 4.1 or higher for boys on the day of registration
- Be between 9-18 years old by tournament day – (players under 9 can request exemption)
- Have not started college
Junior Tour of Northern California
Founded in 2008, the Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) focuses on helping junior golfers ages 10 to 18 become the best competitive players they can be. Jointly created by the NCGA and the Northern California PGA chapter, JTNC hosts more than 50 events each year throughout Northern California. JTNC alumni include major winner Bryson DeChambeau, PGA Tour member Justin Suh and LPGA member Yealimi Noh.
To play in a Junior Tour of Northern California tournament you must meet the following requirements:- Have a current NCGA or Youth on Course membership
- Pay 2025 Junior Tour Membership Fee of $85
- Take Mandatory Rules and Etiquette Curriculum
- Have an established Handicap Index at the time of entry into the tournament
- Have an index of 4.0 or lower for boys and 6.0 or lower for girls
- Be between 10-18 years old by tournament day – (players under 10 can request exemption)
- Have not started college
Youth on Course
The price of a round of golf shouldn’t be a barrier for a young person. That’s where Youth on Course (YOC) comes in: The organization provides young golfers with access to play courses for $5 or less, offering them the chance to not only understand and master the sport, but also to glean life lessons that can only be learned on the green.
Created in 2006 by the NCGA Foundation as a regional initiative, Youth on Course is now nationwide and beyond, serving more than 130,000 members in all 50 U.S. states and parts of Canada. A Youth on Course membership includes an official USGA Handicap Index and full NCGA membership, and members additionally gain access to life-changing job and scholarship opportunities through career prep, leadership, and college scholarship programs.
An Exclusive Membership for Past Participants of Youth on Course
We know that the transition from Youth on Course to full-price NCGA membership can be tough. Yet we know you don’t want to lose your Handicap Index® or all the other NCGA membership benefits you’ve enjoyed. That’s why we launched the NCGA NEXT program.
You’ll receive full NCGA Member Benefits including a Handicap Index®, Tournaments and Events and Exclusive Discounts all for just an exclusive rate of $46/year.
Members also can play golf for reduced rates at participating NCGA NEXT facilities throughout Northern California!
Team Northern California
Beginning in Northern California, the NCGA is launching a golf team (Team Northern California) that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Southern California started their program in 2024.
Have a Junior Golfer interested in getting into golf?
Check out our Get Into Golf Guide to learn how to overcome common golf challenges! From tackling intimidation to finding affordable options, we help demystify golf for beginners.
