One of the wonderful things about golf is that it can be as casual or as competitive as each player would like. Some of our participants enjoy playing a round with friends on the weekend, or practicing their swing at the driving range. Other kids like to go up against other players directly. For participants looking for a competitive place to play, check out these local options.
Drive, Chip, and Putt
| Cost: Free Ages: 7 – 15 First local qualifying round: TBA Website |  |
Drive, Chip, and Putt is a free nationwide skills contest sponsored by the PGA, United States Golf Association, and Augusta National Golf Club. Junior golfers compete in each of the three skills (driving, chipping, and putting) in a series of qualifying rounds that start locally and build-up to national. It’s an exciting opportunity for kids to test their skills and try out a competitive atmosphere.
The nearest local qualifying rounds to New Orleans are:
- 2025 Dates coming soon!
Check the website for more information and to register.
PGA Junior League
| Cost: $399 per player Ages: under 17 2025 Dates: May – July Website |  |
The PGA Jr. League is a unique opportunity for kids of all ages to compete as a team with kids in their age group. Each local golf team will compete against the others in a scramble format which encourages teamwork and creates a fun social atmosphere. The exact schedule varies by team, but most will practice one weekday afternoon and have matches on Saturday afternoons.
Several of our partner golf courses that have hosted teams are: Bayou Oaks at City Park, Chateau Golf & Country Club, Lakewood Golf & Country Club, and Timberlane Golf & Recreation.
Kelly Gibson Junior Golf Tour
| Cost: $250 or $500 membership per season; $40 additional per event played Ages: 7 – 22 2025 Dates: June – August Website |  |
The Kelly Gibson Junior Golf Tour is a favorite of many of our participants. The tour plays at multiple locations around the region, most of them convenient to New Orleans. Players are grouped by gender and age range and their scores are posted to BlueGolf after each tournament. Based on the experiences of our participants over the years, we can recommend this as a fun circuit for kids who want to play in a competitive environment.
U.S. Kids Tour
| Cost: Approx. $40 membership per season; $39-$49 per tournament played Ages: 5 – 18 2024 Dates: March – November Website |  |
U.S. Kids is the perfect way to introduce tournament golf to your player. Scaled courses and individual age groups make it fun to play and meet new friends. Local Tours are open to all junior golfers 5 to 18 years old. Players must be at least 5 years old by the date listed in order to participate. View the current schedule on their website.