Who can play Operation 36 events?

Operation 36 serves junior golfers aged 6–18 (plus adult and family programs). Beginners who want measurable progress before entering tournaments.

Where does Operation 36 hold tournaments?

Operation 36 operates nationwide through local chapters and tours. Use the official finder to locate the program nearest you.

How much does Operation 36 cost?

Set by each facility. Fees are set by the organizer and can change each season; confirm on the official site before entering.

Do Operation 36 results count toward junior rankings?

Operation 36 is a developmental program and does not report to national junior ranking systems, which makes it a low-pressure place to learn tournament golf.

National program

Operation 36

Operation 36 is a progression-based learn-to-play program used at 800+ facilities in 22 countries; juniors start 25 yards from the green and earn their way back to the full tee box, with an app tracking every round.

About Operation 36

800+ program locations in 22 countries; 250,000+ golfers enrolled
Six levels: 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 yards and full tees; advance by shooting 36 (par) for 9 holes
Coach-delivered classes with app-based tracking
Powers several section beginner tours (e.g., Philadelphia PGA FUNdamental Tour)
Partnership with Rory McIlroy

Best for: Beginners who want measurable progress before entering tournaments.

Official site: operation36.golf →Find a local program →

Other junior programs with local chapters

Most families mix two or three programs in a season: a local tour for reps, an association tour for championships, a regional tour for rankings.

Drive, Chip & Putt

Nationwide

National program

Founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, USGA and PGA of America, Drive, Chip & Putt is a free nationwide skills competition whose winners play the National Finals at Augusta National on Golf Channel.

Ages 7–15 (Girls/Boys 7–9, 10–11, 12–13, 14–15)Local qualifying spring–summer; regionals late summer/fall; National Finals the Sunday before the Masters

First Tee

Nationwide

National program

First Tee is a 501(c)(3) youth development organization that teaches golf alongside life skills through 150 chapters (plus international sites), each running programs at multiple local courses.

Ages Youth through high school (typically 5–18; varies by chapter)Year-round, by chapter

IMG Academy Junior World Championship

Nationwide

National program

Founded in 1968 by the San Diego Junior Golf Association, the Junior World Championship draws about 1,250 players from 56 countries and 42 states each July, reached through designated qualifiers or open application.

Ages Through 18 (14-and-under and 15–18 groups)July (2027: July 12–15); registration opens Feb 10, open-registration deadline Mar 15

Junior PGA Championship (Section Qualifiers)

Nationwide

National program

The Junior PGA Championship is one of junior golf's majors; the way in is your PGA Section's Junior PGA Championship, held in every section each spring/summer, with all 41 section champions invited to nationals.

Ages Junior (section championships are generally for ages 13–18)Section championships May–July; national championship late July

LPGA*USGA Girls Golf

Nationwide

National program

Founded in 1989 in Phoenix, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf is the only junior program built specifically for girls 6–17, now at 700+ sites serving about 100,000 girls a year.

Ages 6–17 (girls)Year-round, by site

Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

Nationwide

National program

One of the largest junior tournaments in the world, the Optimist Junior Golf Championship is reached through local Optimist district qualifiers and played in age waves at Trump National Doral (Miami), with a Tournament of Champions at Mission Resort each fall.

Ages 10–18 (Boys 10–11, 12–13, 14–15, 16–18; Girls 10–12, 13–14, 15–18)District qualifiers spring–early summer; Championship July (2027: July 11–28 by division); Tournament of Champions Oct 31–Nov 1, 2026

Good to know

Operation 36 frequently asked questions

Who can play Operation 36 events?: Operation 36 serves junior golfers aged 6–18 (plus adult and family programs). Beginners who want measurable progress before entering tournaments.
Where does Operation 36 hold tournaments?: Operation 36 operates nationwide through local chapters and tours. Use the official finder to locate the program nearest you.
How much does Operation 36 cost?: Set by each facility. Fees are set by the organizer and can change each season; confirm on the official site before entering.
Do Operation 36 results count toward junior rankings?: Operation 36 is a developmental program and does not report to national junior ranking systems, which makes it a low-pressure place to learn tournament golf.

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