MEMBERSHIP FAQ

Hundreds of families join the JGANC each year, bringing many questions about membership. Below are answers to the most common ones. If you have additional questions, please contact us directly — we’re here to help.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

A: We follow the USGA Rules of Golf with age 19 being the beginning of amateur status.

A: Yes, you will receive an invitation providing all other conditions are met. You are not penalized for having a birthday. The only time 19 year olds cannot participate is on our teams because team rules state ages are only up to 17 or 18 years old.

A: Northern California is one of the most competitive golf regions in the country, and if you are doing well here, you are a solid player. The JGANC’s players are recruited by some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Continued success in Northern California events speaks for itself. The decision to play out of state is an individual one and depends on the competitive level of the golfer, financial and time flexibility and where a junior would like to go to college. Sometimes junior players will target tournaments out of state near a school they want to visit, making it convenient for a specific coach to watch them compete and for them to visit the school. Once a player proves himself at the local and regional level then going out of state could provide a great competitive learning experience and potentially provide more exposure to schools in the area out of state that the player competes. A big benefit of playing out of state is learning how to travel, playing a practice round prior to the tournament, adjusting to different types of courses (grasses, conditions, etc.) and competing against new players. These are all things that will broaden the experience of players and also will be the same scenarios they will face once they get to college. The flip side is that we have heard from juniors and their parents who spent a lot of time and money traveling to out of state tournaments comment that they would not do it over again. They felt the time and money spent were not worth the effort, that they should have focused on playing more JGANC tournaments so they would have increased their confidence with more local success, improved their rankings and the possibility of recognition by qualifying for a select team (such as Jr. America’s Cup, North Team, etc.). College coaches understand that many high school players are not developmentally ready for the additional stresses of long distance travel golf while they are in high school and that the financial reality for most families doesn’t allow them to travel extensively for golf tournaments.

A: Ten years old is a good age to start thinking of establishing your index/handicap. There are state and national tournaments that require a verified index in order to qualify for their event. You’ll no doubt be interested in playing these events by this time.

A: Caddies are allowed for the Boys and Girls age groups 7-11 (9-Hole Players) only, not players 12 years old and up. Please click here to find the JGANC Caddie Policy & Procedures as well as the Caddie Permission Form that we will be using to sign in for all caddies. All Caddies must follow the JGANC Code of Conduct Rules, this to include the JGANC Dress Code.

A: This is an on-going process. We are all still learning. Taking golf lessons certainly begins this learning. Asking questions also helps you learn. Watching golf events in person or on television helps you learn rules because different rules come up all the time. The USGA provides a handy rule book. You should always have it in your bag. Each tournament should have roving marshals and there’s always a Rules Committee. Ask and get help. This is how you learn.

A: Again, we are trying to be fair to everyone. First of all, juniors are not allowed to drive carts due to insurance regulations. Secondly, a person driving the cart could be giving advice which is an unfair advantage. Eliminating the carts solves the legal responsibility issue and guarantees fairness to all.

A:

  • Boys:  16-18, 14-15, 12-13, 10-11, 9-7
  • Girls:  16-18, 14-15, 12-13, 10-11, 9-7
  • Learn more here.

A: As a general rule, players can expect to abide by the following:

  • Boys 7-9 – under forward tee, ~1900 yards
  • Boys 10-11 – red or forward tee, ~2000 yards
  • Boys 12-13 – white tee, ~5700 yards
  • Boys 14-15 – blue tee, ~6600+ yards
  • Boys 16-18 – blue tee, ~6600+ yards
  • Girls 7-9 – under forward tee, ~1900 yards
  • Girls 10-11 – red or forward tee, ~2000 yards
  • Girls 12-13 – middle tee, ~5600 yards
  • Girls 14-15 – red tee, ~5800 yards
  • Girls 16-18 – red tee, ~5800 yards

A: Players may earn the ability to play up an age division under the particular guidelines spelled out here.

PLAYING MEMBER PROGRAM

A: You must be between the ages of 7 and 18.

A: The JGANC offers two levels of Membership, playing club member ($75 for 7-11 years old, $125 for 12-18 years old) and premium playing member ($20 additional)

A: Once juniors have completed the Membership process they are assigned a Players’ Club ID and password, which they can then use to access the JGANC Players Club on our home page at www.jganc.com. This is the junior’s personal account where they can review membership, tournament and payment information. Members can also personalize their account with biographical information, a picture and more. JGANC Premium Edition Players’ Club Member Included in your Junior Golf Association of Northern California is access to the Players’ Club where you can view course information, register and cancel from tournaments and results. For an additional $20.00 you can upgrade to the Premium Edition, which has increased benefits and opportunities. It allows you to track your statistics, keep in touch up with friends, upload swing videos and create a personalized profile and a lot more. Additional information about the Premium Edition is available on our home page.

A: JGANC event entries are open to amateur golfers, ages 7 to 18 inclusive. When your JGANC Membership has been accepted, you will be emailed a JGANC Players Club username and password. To register online, follow these easy steps below:

  • Go to www.jganc.cm and log into your Players Club using your Players Club ID and Password
  • Click on the Tournaments tab to show the list of all tournaments available.
  • Click on the name of tournament you wish to register for.
  • Under Online Registration, click on the Register button.
  • Fill out all needed information.
  • Enter your credit card information. Your credit card will be immediately charged upon acceptance into the event.

A: Upon completion of each entry into a JGANC event an e-mail will automatically be sent notifying you of your acceptance, rejection or wait listing for that particular event. If you have been accepted into the event, you will receive a tee-time via e-mail approximately one week prior to the event. If you have any questions at any time please log on to the JGANC Players Club using your ID and password, there you will be able to see the status of pending applications. For any tournament specific questions, please contact the tournament director whose contact is listed on the tournament’s Info page.

A: When a tournament receives more entries than tournament spots available, a waiting list is created based on entry date in order by age division. As spots then become available due to withdrawals, the player next on the waiting list is then placed in the tournament field. Tournament director may not call first, so if you make any plan that’d conflict with the tournament, you must cancel from the waiting list; otherwise, your credit card will be charged as soon as your entry is accepted. In addition, please see the question below.

A: If you are still on the waiting list prior to the event, you may come to the event site prior to the first tee-time and be placed on a “stand by” list. Please be advised that the “stand by” list will be decided on a first come-first serve basis and only people who are officially on the waiting list prior to the event will be allowed to fill in. No on-site applications or entries will be acknowledged at JGANC events.

A: Membership in the JGANC is non-refundable. Cancellation/Refund Policy for ALL Tournaments:
1. Up until 2 weeks prior to the event, entry fee is refundable, $15 fee processing fee.
2. Up until 1 week prior to the event, 50% of entry fee (rounds up to the $) is refundable.
3. Thereafter, no refund. (Exemption for medical emergency requires doctor’s note and refund is 50% of entry fee.)

A: First of all, make sure you are aware of your tee-time. Starting times are e-mailed to all members approximately one week prior to the event and can be found through the JGANC website at www.jganc.com Second, make sure that as you plan your trip to the course, allow plenty of time and plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled tee-time. You then must register with a tournament staff member at the designated Registration Table. Third, make sure you arrive at your particular tee about 10 minutes before your official start time. This will avoid any penalties for being late to the tee and will allow you to get organized. Fourth, make sure you have plenty of golf balls (marked with an identifying mark), tees, gloves and no more than the allowable 14 clubs. Be sure that you wear sunblock and always carry a water bottle with you. Please be aware that you need to hydrate while on the course, drink water frequently. Finally, enjoy the day competing with new friends.

A: The official time is located only at the registration table and/or the starting tees. Rule 6-3a provides: “The player must start at the time established by the Committee.” The penalty for breach of Rule 6-3a is DISQUALIFICATION. However, it is a condition of all competitions that, if players arrive at their starting point, ready to play, within five minutes of their starting time, in absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of DISQUALIFICATION as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole played or loss of hole in match play instead of DISQUALIFICATION.

A: Yes. You will be able to check your scores, player of the year standings, tee times and results all from your computer or JGANC mobile app by signing onto your JGANC Players Club page. You can access this by logging on to www.jganc.com and logging into the JGANC Players Club with your ID and password.

A: The preferred method of withdrawing from an event is through your JGANC Players Club. A list of all withdrawal options can be found under “Policies” in the drop down menu on www.jganc.com

A: No Show: Player failed to withdraw from event and failed to show up on-site will be classified as a No Show. A No Show player will appear on the JGANC’s online scoreboard as a “NS”: 1st offense: An email will be sent to the player as a warning 2nd offense: An email will be sent with a final warning 3rd offense: Player will be suspended for the remainder of the season Tournament directors have the right to refuse signup from players who have a No Show record. Furthermore, a player with a “NS” status will NOT be considered for any JGANC Invitational Events.

A: The JGANC accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express online for all associated fees of the JGANC. You can also be assured that your confidential information will remain just that-confidential.

A: Your association provides you with a great online golfing calendar which gives you dates and details of over 70+ tournaments for juniors in Northern California. Being a member gives you priority tournament online registration. Most JGANC events are open to members only. Some events are open to non-member with restriction. As a member, you are also given an opportunity to apply for a college scholarship when you become a senior. Your membership allows you to be a member of one of our prestigious teams provided that you earn enough points or your scoring average earns you the honor. Advantages of being a JGANC member are numerous and all for a very low membership fee. Our tournaments are priced very reasonably. Compare us to other tours, you will be amazed on what an opportunity the JGANC provides.

A: As a general rule, players can expect to abide by the following:

  • Boys 7-9 – under forward tee, ~1900 yards
  • Boys 10-11 – red or forward tee, ~2000 yards
  • Boys 12-13 – white tee, ~5700 yards
  • Boys 14-15 – blue tee, ~6600+ yards
  • Boys 16-18 – blue tee, ~6600+ yards
  • Girls 7-9 – under forward tee, ~1900 yards
  • Girls 10-11 – red or forward tee, ~2000 yards
  • Girls 12-13 – middle tee, ~5600 yards
  • Girls 14-15 – red tee, ~5800 yards
  • Girls 16-18 – red tee, ~5800 yards