Age Divisions
Drive, Chip and Putt Age Divisions for 2027
The 2027 cycle uses four boys' divisions and four girls' divisions based on age on April 4, 2027. A narrow age-six exception and a different National Finals scoring format are easy to miss.
Tournaments & Events · Updated August 28, 2026
The short version
- The 2027 boys' and girls' age bands are 7 to 9, 10 to 11, 12 to 13, and 14 to 15.
- Division is based on age on National Finals Sunday, April 4, 2027. A six-year-old may enter if the player turns 7 by that date.
- Local, Subregional and Regional rounds use three drives, three chips and three putts. The National Finals uses two attempts per skill plus a possible pace-of-play bonus.
- The organizer may vary slopes, lies, obstacles, chip distances and putt distances within the current rules.
Eight divisions: four age bands, boys and girls
| Age band | Divisions |
|---|---|
| 7 to 9 | Boys 7 to 9 and Girls 7 to 9 |
| 10 to 11 | Boys 10 to 11 and Girls 10 to 11 |
| 12 to 13 | Boys 12 to 13 and Girls 12 to 13 |
| 14 to 15 | Boys 14 to 15 and Girls 14 to 15 |
The age-six exception. A player who is 6 may enter if the player turns 7 by April 4, 2027.
Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Eligibility 1 to 3.
For entry, deadlines and advancement across those divisions, see the 2027 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying guide.
What actually decides your division
Use the player's age on April 4, 2027, even when a Local Qualifier is held months earlier. A player who is 6 at registration may enter only if the player will be 7 by April 4, 2027.
Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Eligibility 1 to 3.
How scoring changes at the National Finals
The format is not the same all the way up the ladder, which is the detail most families miss when they practice for it.
| Stage | Attempts per skill |
|---|---|
| Local, Subregional and Regional | Three drives, three chips and three putts. |
| National Finals | Two drives, two chips and two putts, plus a possible pace-of-play bonus. |
Setup is not fixed either. The organizer may vary slopes, lies, obstacles, chip distances and putt distances within the current rules, so confirm the setup for a specific site with the organizer rather than practicing to one assumed layout.
Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Local, Subregional, & Regional Scoring; National Finals Scoring; Scoring & Competing 6.
Why the youngest band covers three years, not two
The 7-to-9 band covers three ages; each older band covers two. That is the arithmetic of the four bands, and the rules do not state why the organizer chose it.
What the rule can and cannot tell a family
The age band determines eligibility. It does not predict readiness, development, or outcome. Families can use the date to confirm the bracket and use coaching judgment for preparation.
Your next move
Check the qualifying steps
See the free-entry deadline, advancement ladder, and scoring change for the same 2027 cycle.
Check the qualifying stepsFrequently asked questions
- How many age divisions does Drive, Chip and Putt have?
- Eight for the 2027 cycle: four age bands, 7 to 9, 10 to 11, 12 to 13, and 14 to 15, run separately for boys and girls. Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Eligibility 1 to 3.
- Which date decides a player's 2027 division?
- Age on National Finals Sunday, April 4, 2027, not age on the day of the Local Qualifier. Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Eligibility 1 to 3.
- Can a six-year-old enter Drive, Chip and Putt?
- Yes, but only under a narrow exception: a player who is 6 may enter if the player turns 7 by April 4, 2027. Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Eligibility 1.
- Is the scoring the same at every stage?
- No. Local, Subregional and Regional rounds use three attempts per skill. The National Finals uses two attempts per skill plus a possible pace-of-play bonus. Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Local, Subregional, & Regional Scoring and National Finals Scoring.
- Are the chip and putt distances the same at every site?
- No. The organizer may vary slopes, lies, obstacles, chip distances and putt distances within the current rules, so confirm the setup for a specific site with the organizer. Source: Drive, Chip and Putt Rules and Regulations, Scoring & Competing 6.
Keep reading
Sources and review
- What it covers
- Drive, Chip and Putt eligibility, age divisions, setup, and scoring for the 2027 competition cycle, checked August 28, 2026.
- Checked
Primary sources
What this page cannot tell you
- Dates, age anchors, advancement, and scoring are issued by the organizer for each cycle. Recheck the current rules before registration.
- The organizer's rules do not establish developmental outcomes for a player within an age band.
Verify this season. These terms are reissued on a cycle. Confirm the current version with the governing body above before you rely on it for a deadline or a decision.