Appendix C JUNIOR PAR

Junior par is the adjustment of par to realistic levels for junior players of various ability levels. Junior par provides a realistic standard against which a junior can measure improvement until acquiring a game capable of being measured against par. A Handicap Index for juniors is calculated by the formula in Section 10. A Handicap Index is converted to a Course Handicap for the course being played.

C-1. Establish Junior Playing Levels

Using junior par, players are identified as beginner, intermediate, or advanced players. A beginner will have a Course Handicap of 41 or above; an intermediate will have a Course Handicap from 25 through 40; and an advanced junior player will have a Course Handicap under 25. (Course Handicap for juniors based on USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating is normally established from the forward tees.)

The golf club can categorize the abilities of juniors who do not have a Handicap Index by other methods. For example, some golf clubs have their beginners play only three or six holes until they can achieve a target score. Then they move on to playing nine holes, and eventually 18 holes. The club might designate its three-hole or six-hole players as beginners and the nine-hole and 18-hole players as intermediates until they develop a Course Handicap of 24 or better.

C-2. Establish Junior Par

Junior par for any hole is based on the yardage of the hole measured from the forward tees and the ability of the junior player. The following tables show how junior par is calculated for girls and boys.

C-3. Junior Scorecard

C-4. How to Post Scores Under Junior Par

Each junior will adjust hole scores according to Section 4. Junior players post scores with the appropriate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating according to Section 5-2.