National Rankings

Golfweek/Sagrain Junior Rankings
Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings
AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

Golfweek/Sagarin Junior Rankings

In 1999 Golfweek Magazine became a title sponsors to the nationally recognized ranking system known as Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index for juniors.

Jeff Sagarin's rating system is based on a mathematical formula that uses a player's won-lost-tied record against other players when they play on the same course on the same day, and the stroke differential between those players, then links all players to one another based on common opponents. The ratings give an indication of who is playing well over the past 52 weeks.

The following list is an explanation of each category Sagarin uses to formulate his rankings:

  1. Power Rating:
    This is NOT a stroke average. The rating is calculated using a player's record, stroke differential and connection to all the other players in the database. However, it does represent the typical score you can expect a player to shoot; the difference between two ratings predicts the difference between two players in a typical round.
  2. Schedule Strength:
    The average strength of each event in which the player has played, calculated using the power ratings of every player
  3. Schedule Rank:
    The player's schedule is ranked by difficulty among the entire database.
  4. Records:
    A player's won-lost-tied record, based on head-to-head competition, in each category. The winner in a 156-player field has a record of 155-0-0, the runner-up is 154-1-0, etc.
  5. Events Played:
    Boys and Girls must play in a total of five (5) events in the rolling 52-week window (* indicates player has not participated in the minimum number of events needed to be ranked).

In order for junior tournaments to be considered to be included in the Golfweek/Titleist Junior rankings database the following conditions are recommended:

  • In order to be considered, a boy’s field must have minimum of 40 boys start the event and a girl’s field must have 12 girls start the event.
  • The event should be considered a regional tournament if not a national tournament.
  • 54-hole events are desired. However, 36-hole events will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If an event is reduced due to inclement weather, it will still count in the database provided that the entire field completes 18 holes.
  • The rankings will only count the oldest age division unless all players play from the same tees and the fields can be combined to create one event.
  • Golfweek reserves the right to add and drop tournaments at any time.

If you have any questions, please contact Lance Ringler at lringler@golfweek.com.

Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings

The Junior Golf Scoreboard typically receives results for over 1,500 tournaments worldwide and ranks approximately 6,000 - 7,000 players at any one time.

The Junior Golf Scoreboard system is based on a formula that reviews a player's record in 36-hole or longer tournaments over the last 365 days. Tournaments drop out of the calculation after one year. A player must have four (4) events within the year to be ranked.

The criteria are as follows:

  1. Scoring Differential: (65 percent weight)
    The rankings use the best 85% of a player's scores compared to the USGA ratings of the courses they played in competition.
  2. Strength of Field: (25 percent)
    Whom did the player compete against and how strong were the records of their competitors?
  3. Finish: (10 percent)
    Average finish of the competitor with consideration given to the size of the field.

AJGA Performance Based Entry (PBE)

Performance Based Entry process enables 12-18 year-old members to earn their way into AJGA Open tournaments based on performances at the national, regional and state levels. The entry process clearly defines and answers the question, "How do I gain entry into an AJGA event?" The player's performance, not the AJGA, dictates acceptance into an event. The expanded opportunities to gain entry into AJGA events through success at the state and regional levels ensure all deserving juniors receive an opportunity to play in an AJGA event. The AJGA is committed to providing the best exposure for young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships.

Boys and Girls 15-19 Divisions

The American Junior Golf Association has released their Performance Based Entry Table for International Junior Golf Tour Events. The Tour events included in the table will be denoted in the Rankings section of the Full Tournament Schedule.

Please stay tuned to the AJGA exemption table at AJGA.org as it is subject to change.

The Boys Champions at each of these tournaments will receive one AJGA Tournament Exemption and those that finish in the top five will earn one AJGA Performance Star. The Girls Champions at each of these tournaments will earn one AJGA Tournament Exemption

For more information, please visit the AJGA exemption table at the AJGA.org.

AJGA Junior All-Star Series PBE

Boys Junior All-Star Exempt Status Criteria:

  • AJGA Junior All-Star Series Exemptions Boys U-14 - Must be between 12-15 years old throughout the duration of the event to be eligible for the AJGA Junior All-Star Series.
  • Top 15 finishers in the 2010-2011 IJGT Merit Points Standing (Boys U-14 Division)

Girls Junior All-Star Exempt Status Criteria:

  • AJGA Junior All-Star Series Exemptions Girls U-14 - Must be between 11-14 years old throughout the duration of the event to be eligible for the AJGA Junior All-Star Series.
  • Top 3 finishers in the 2010-2011 IJGT Merit Points Standing (U-14 Girls Division)