The U.S. National Development Program is the United States' first national development program to provide a clear and unified pathway for the country's top players, beginning with competitive junior golf through to the pinnacles of the sport. The U.S. National Development Program will identify, train, develop, fund and support the nation’s most talented junior players - regardless of cultural, geographical or financial background.

The USGA wanted to invest in the future of young American athletes and give them the same level of resources and support other countries give their athletes. Virtually every other golf country has a national golf development program and national teams that support homegrown talent from junior golf to the professional ranks. Additionally, golf is the only major U.S. sport in the Olympics that did not have a national player development program and a clear pathway to elite competition.

The USNDP’s initial strategy outlines six key areas of focus: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations and athlete financial support.

Athletes can be involved with the USNDP through various USNDP-supported programs such as:

• USNDP Grants
• National Junior Teams
• USNDP-sponsored Tournament Exemptions
• State Teams

Yes, athletes must be U.S. citizens. If an athlete is a dual citizen, the athlete must not be receiving any funding from another country and must represent the United States in all golf competitions, rankings and leaderboards.

Athletes need to be a minimum of 13 years old to be part of the USNDP.

The USGA looks at a variety of factors when identifying athletes for the program, including scoring average, rankings (state and national), statistics, sportsmanship, athleticism, potential, and recommendations from industry partners, such as Allied Golf Associations and coaches.

To get on the radar of the USNDP staff, complete a U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) Golf Resume Form. Access the USNDP Golf Resume Form HERE. 

To be eligible to participate in the USNDP, junior players will be required to establish a Handicap Index and enter all acceptable scores (Rules of Handicapping). Scores are encouraged to be posted hole-by-hole. The more information a junior adds to their scoring record the better; including posting hole-by-hole with stats: keeping track of GIR (greens in regulation), fairways hit and putts.

View the U.S. National Development Program Handicap Index^® Overview HERE.

The State Junior Team program is part of the USGA’s U.S. National Development Program (USNDP).  The goal of the program is to expand, strengthen, and diversify the junior golf pipeline by creating critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities within each state for elite athletes ages 13-18 through close collaboration between the USGA, its Allied Golf Associations (AGAs), the PGA of America sections and relevant state junior programs in each state.

Each State Committee has determined how their team will be selected each year.  This varies by state but typically includes outstanding competitive performance in state events.  You can access each State’s webpage for more information via our State Junior Team Program page.

This program started in 2024 with 7 pilot states and at the start of 2026, there will be 16 State Junior Teams across the country. Our goal is each state will have a State Junior Team by 2033.  We are working closely with AGAs and PGA of America sections to educate and prepare them to join our program; however, there is no set timetable for each state.   

Each State Junior Team will comprise of an equal number of boys and girls; however, the total number of athletes on each team may vary by state. Each state has a maximum number of athletes based on the number of elite junior golfers within the state as determined by those with a Handicap Index low enough to attempt to qualify for our USGA Junior Championships.

No, an athlete is only eligible for one State Junior Team. This is determined as the state where the parent(s)/guardian(s) who claims the athlete as a dependent filed their most recent state tax return.

Athletes for the National Junior Team are evaluated and selected by the Team Selection Committee.  The Committee selects and invites athletes to participate on a National Development Team in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined HERE. 

No. The National Junior Team is for a select and relatively small number of athletes compared to the number of athletes on grants, USNDP-sponsored Tournament Exemptions, or State Teams. 

The U.S. National Development Program Grant is designed to mitigate barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both financial need and the potential to progress through the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) pathway.

Grants will be awarded based on financial need parameters determined by the USGA and a performance assessment that considers scores, rankings, improvement trends, athleticism, references, and video evaluation.

USNDP Grants will be determined through an annual application and reviewed by the USNDP Grant Committee through a three-step review process. The USNDP Grant Application is open every year mid-July to late-October to apply for selection for the subsequent year. Get details HERE. 

Yes. Any athlete receiving a USNDP grant will be part of the USNDP.

Yes. Identified athletes have opportunities to be part of the USNDP through USNDP-sponsored tournament exemptions,  state teams, virtual sessions with coaches and specialists, and state and regional camps.

The USNDP can grant talented young golfers with exemptions to enter certain junior golf events, including some AJGA non-invitational tournaments. These exemptions are primarily offered to promising athletes who live near the tournament location and may not otherwise qualify for these events. Our goal is to provide local talented juniors with opportunities to compete in high-level, national events close to home.

To get your athlete on our radar, we recommend that you fill out a USNDP Golf Resume Form.  Our team will evaluate the Golf Resumes for future opportunities and will reach out if we are able to provide a USNDP-sponsored Tournament Exemption in their local area.  

Sign up to receive USNDP updates HERE. 

If you would like additional information or have a more specific question, you can send an email to our team through our Contact Us Form.