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IJGA YDP or Playing Member: What Changes When Moving Up?
Illinois Junior Golf Association’s age-based programs include a specific move-up option for a thirteen-year-old entering high school. Read what is given up as well as what opens.
Tournaments & Events · Updated October 22, 2026
Two thirteen-year-olds; one season-long decision
Original family planning cases
Two thirteen-year-olds; one season-long decision- 1
Stay in YDP
Ava remains in the eligible development program.
Plan the remaining YDP starts and championship opportunity under its rules.
- 2
Request the freshman move
Ben is 13 and will be a high-school freshman.
Confirm the approved move-up route before entering Playing Member events.
- 3
After the choice
The policy requires staying in Playing Member for the season.
Future YDP regular events and its end-of-year championship are forfeited under that policy.
- 4
MAJGT question
A separate program is being considered.
Read its membership and event conditions; do not infer them from the move-up alone.
Fictional players and planning decisions. Program descriptions were checked October 22,2026; fees, dates, eligibility and entry status must be reconfirmed for the actual season. No place is reserved or guaranteed.
The short version
- YDP, Playing Member and MAJGT have separate published age ranges.
- The thirteen-year-old freshman move-up has stated conditions.
- Moving into Playing Member can forfeit remaining YDP opportunities that season.
Read the actual exception
The published policy describes a 13-year-old who will be a high-school freshman as having the option to move from YDP to Playing Member. That is a defined route, not a blanket permission for any younger player who wants a longer event.
The membership page separately identifies YDP, Playing Member and MAJGT age ranges. Age eligibility and a useful competitive fit still need to be considered together.
Compare the whole remaining season
Ben’s move has a cost in opportunities: the policy states he must remain in Playing Member and forfeit later YDP regular events and the YDP Player of the Year Championship. A one-event preference should therefore be evaluated against the remaining calendar.
Ava can remain in the eligible program while preparing for a later transition. That is not automatically a less ambitious choice; it is a different season plan.
Get the organizer’s confirmation
Verify current-season age calculation, approval steps, any fee difference and event availability before paying or withdrawing from existing entries. Do not assume MAJGT access follows from a Playing Member move.
Use schedule planning and first-event preparation for the next actions.
Official sources
Official provisions checked October 22, 2026. Read their full wording and current event conditions.
Your next move
Check the organizer’s current pathway
Confirm the actual season, age date, membership and event acceptance before paying.
Check the organizer’s current pathway(Official source), opens in a new tabKeep reading
Sources and review
- What it covers
- Published program, policy or product documentation checked October 22, 2026. Season-specific conditions are not extended to 2027.
- Checked
Primary sources
What this page cannot tell you
- Fictional examples; no entry, purchase, provider account or actual course condition is verified for the reader.
- No independent specialist has reviewed this guide.