Your child wants to play in a tournament, but the pages and entry forms are all in Japanese. This guide walks you through the whole process in order, from choosing a tournament to the day itself.
Each organizer has its own entry method and rules. This page explains what most tournaments have in common, with real examples from 2026 guidelines. Before you enter, always read the guidelines (要項, yōkō) for the tournament: they list the dates, who can enter, fees and how to apply.
Tip: your browser’s translate function works on most official pages. For PDFs, a translation app with a camera mode helps. Numbers in brackets point to the sources at the bottom.
Tournaments range from small local events to series where you qualify for a national final. For a first tournament, these three checks help.
The JGA’s Japan Junior Championship and National Elementary Tournament are, in principle, for JGA junior members only [1]. The JJGA’s Ryo Ishikawa Cup qualifiers are open to non-members [9].
At the JGAI Cup, players in grade 4 and below must have a parent as caddie [12]. Some junior high tournaments do not allow caddies at all [14].
Some set a score condition, such as “under 120 strokes for one round” (Kanto Elementary Tournament) [4] or “an 18-hole average of 100 or better” (Kanto Junior Championship) [3].
Once you have picked a tournament, open the guidelines on the official page, often a PDF. They cover at least these things. Taking notes as you read helps.
Japan’s school year starts on April 1, and many tournaments divide players by school grade (学年), decided by date of birth. For the 2026 school year (April 2026 to March 2027):
| Grade | Born between |
|---|---|
| Elementary 1st grade (小1) | Apr 2, 2019 – Apr 1, 2020 |
| Elementary 2nd grade (小2) | Apr 2, 2018 – Apr 1, 2019 |
| Elementary 3rd grade (小3) | Apr 2, 2017 – Apr 1, 2018 |
| Elementary 4th grade (小4) | Apr 2, 2016 – Apr 1, 2017 |
| Elementary 5th grade (小5) | Apr 2, 2015 – Apr 1, 2016 |
| Elementary 6th grade (小6) | Apr 2, 2014 – Apr 1, 2015 |
| Junior high 1st grade (中1) | Apr 2, 2013 – Apr 1, 2014 |
| Junior high 2nd grade (中2) | Apr 2, 2012 – Apr 1, 2013 |
| Junior high 3rd grade (中3) | Apr 2, 2011 – Apr 1, 2012 |
Other tournaments, such as U.S. Kids Golf, use age divisions. If your child attends an international school and you are not sure which grade applies, ask the organizer before entering.
For members-only tournaments, register before you enter. Registration can take a few days, so do it well before the deadline.
Each organizer uses its own entry system. JGA events use Golf Genius (an online entry system) [2], the JJGA uses its “My Page” [9], and the JGAI Cup uses Sports Entry (スポーツエントリー) [12]. Some tournaments still take entries by fax [7]. Forms often ask for your child’s name in katakana (フリガナ).
Places can fill on the day entry opens. The Reitaku Mizunami Junior (the All Japan Elementary Tournament’s Chubu-Hokuriku qualifier) took the first 20 players in each division [7].
Some tournaments hold a draw when there are many entries, such as the Tohoku qualifier run by Miyagi Television [8].
Don’t forget to pay. Some tournaments cancel the entry if payment is not confirmed by the deadline [9, 11]. Payment is often by Japanese bank transfer (銀行振込) or at a convenience store, so check the method and deadline as soon as you enter.
Pairings and tee times (組合せ) are usually posted on the official page before the tournament.
A small bag of sand to fill the marks left when a shot takes out turf.
A small tool to fix the marks balls make on the green.
All three are required at the Ryo Ishikawa Cup qualifiers [9].
Players wear a cap during play [9].
You cannot enter the course in clothes the course does not allow [9].
Check in on time. At the Ryo Ishikawa Cup qualifiers, players check in at least 45 minutes before the tee time and wait near the tee 10 minutes before [9]. At the Reitaku Mizunami Junior, check-in closes 30 minutes before the tee time, and late players are disqualified (失格) [7].
Spectator areas may be marked, and you may not be allowed onto the course.
A parent who is not the caddie may not give the child advice during the round [9].
Bad weather. How the tournament handles rain or lightning, such as cancelling or shortening play, is in the guidelines [9]. Check for messages from the organizer on the morning.
Results are usually posted on the organizer’s official page. On this site, the details of a finished tournament link to the official results. After the first tournament, thinking about the next goal is part of the fun: many tournaments let players who do well in a regional qualifier go on to a final or a national championship.
A handicap shows a player’s level as a number. Under the World Handicap System it is called a Handicap Index. It is often not needed for a first tournament, but it is needed for higher-level events.
Besides the entry fee, there is often a separate green fee paid to the course. Real examples from official guidelines:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 要項 | yōkō | Entry guidelines, often a PDF. Eligibility, fees, divisions and rules are all here. |
| 申込 / エントリー | mōshikomi / entorī | Entry, application |
| 申込期間 | mōshikomi kikan | Entry period |
| 締切 | shimekiri | Deadline |
| 先着順 | senchaku-jun | First come, first served |
| 抽選 | chūsen | Lottery (draw) |
| 定員 | teiin | Maximum number of players |
| 参加料 / 参加費 | sankaryō / sankahi | Entry fee |
| プレー費 | purē-hi | Green fee paid to the course (may be separate from the entry fee) |
| 当日精算 | tōjitsu seisan | Paid at the course on the day |
| 銀行振込 | ginkō furikomi | Bank transfer |
| コンビニ払い | konbini barai | Payment at a convenience store |
| 在住 | zaijū | Lives in (an area) |
| 在学 | zaigaku | Attends school in (an area) |
| 学年 | gakunen | School grade |
| 〇〇現在 / 基準日 | … genzai / kijunbi | The date on which age or grade is counted |
| 〇〇の部 | … no bu | Division, e.g. 男子小学生の部 = boys’ elementary division |
| 予選 / 決勝 | yosen / kesshō | Qualifier / final |
| 会員登録 | kaiin tōroku | Membership registration |
| マイページ | mai pēji | Your account page on the organizer’s site |
| フリガナ | furigana | Your name written in katakana |
| 組合せ | kumiawase | Pairings and tee times |
| スタート時刻 | sutāto jikoku | Tee time |
| 受付 | uketsuke | Check-in |
| キャディー | kyadī | Caddie: carries the bag and may give advice |
| 目土袋 | medo-bukuro | Divot sand bag |
| グリーンフォーク | gurīn fōku | Ball-mark repair tool |
| 適合リスト | tekigō risuto | R&A list of conforming balls or drivers |
| 雨天決行 | uten kekkō | Played even in rain |
| 中止 | chūshi | Cancelled |
| 失格 | shikkaku | Disqualified |
| 棄権 / 欠場 | kiken / ketsujō | Withdrawal |
Information as of October 2026. Fees, dates and conditions change from year to year. Check the official page of each tournament for the latest.