Most new golfers think NCGA tournament golf is only for scratch players. They picture stiff competition and players who never miss a shot.  While we do have great players in our Championship events, the majority of NCGA tournaments are net events, which have players of all different abilities.

Here's the short answer: the Weekend Net Tour (WNT) is the best first tournament if you've never played in one before. It's one day, it’s a net event, held on a weekend, it's open to every skill level, and you can win prizes!  In this guide, you'll learn

  1. The Quick Answer: Start with the Weekend Net Tour

  2. What You Need Before You Can Enter Any NCGA Tournament

  3. Other Beginner-Friendly Options

  4. Tournaments to wait on until you have more experience

  5. How to register for your first NCGA Tournament

  6. FAQ’s

  7. Final Takeaway

The Quick Answer: Start With the Weekend Net Tour

If you only remember one thing from this post, remember this: sign up for the Weekend Net Tour. It's built for golfers just like you.

Here's why it works so well for first-timers:

    • Net scoring. Your Handicap Index will be used for scoring, so all players will be on a level playing field, and all will have a chance to win.
    • Open to all players. Whether you can hit a 300-yard drive or if you haven’t broken 100 yet, all players, men and women, are welcome to play.
    • One-day events. No multi-day commitment. You show up, play one round, and you're done.  Low pressure, low time investment.
    • Tournaments are almost always on Weekends. No need to take time off work.  Although who wouldn’t take a day off work to go play some golf?!
    • Different formats. There are team plus individual competitions, giving you the chance to play in new and exciting formats.
    • Flighted by Handicap Index. You get grouped with players who are close to your skill level, so you're never the only beginner in the group.
    • Win great prizes. All WNT events include a chance to win great prizes for each flight and an optional skins game!
    • You get to play a lot of different courses. Courses span from Sacramento to Monterey and everywhere in between.  Hitting some of the can’t-miss spots like Spyglass, Silverado, Poppy Hills, and Poppy Ridge, to name a few.
    • You can play with your friends. WNT events allow you to pick your tee time or starting hole.  So if you and a friend register to play, you can play together!
    • Accumulate Points. The more you play, the more points you accumulate for the WNT Championship held at the end of the year.

Let the NCGA take care of all the legwork in finding tee times at good courses to play.  All you have to do is register through our WNT Tournament Calendar, and we’ll see you on the first tee!

What You Need Before You Can Enter Any NCGA Tournament

Before you register for any NCGA event, make sure you have these four things ready:

    • An active NCGA membership through a regular club, associate club, or EClub.
    • An established Handicap Index at the time you register
    • Access to online registration through the NCGA Tournament Calendar; it can be on your phone or computer.
    • Entry Fee Payment
    • Know some basic golf etiquette. While these events are fairly casual, they are still a competition, and everyone is striving to do their best.  So knowing some basic golf etiquette like pace of play will get you ready for the day!  Don’t miss our blog on Etiquette 101 here.

Hot Tip: Be sure to plan ahead.  Since the WNT is such a great starting point, it means that it is popular with all players and can fill up quickly. Tournament registration opens in three waves throughout the year:

  • mid-January

  • mid-April

  • mid-July

So be sure to register early!

 

Other Beginner-Friendly Options (If Weekend Net Tour Doesn't Fit)

The Weekend Net Tour isn't your only option. A few other NCGA events share the same beginner-friendly setup: one day, net scoring, and flighted fields.

Member Outings

Not sure if you’re quite ready for a tournament? Come play in our Member Outings; these are casual golf events with no leaderboards or scorecards.  Just a fun day on some of the best golf courses in Northern California.  Grab your friends and make it an annual tradition to play in at least one Member Outing!

Image of golfers on a Member Trip

Women's One-Day Series

This series offers a casual, flighted format built just for women. Tournaments are flighted by handicap, ensuring golfers of all skill levels have the chance to compete, enjoy the game, and win. With 80+ events hosted on weekdays at a variety of golf courses throughout Northern California, you'll have plenty of scheduling flexibility to find one that works for you.

Senior Series

Open to women 50 and older and men 55 and older, this series offers flighted net competitions in a single-day format.  Played on weekdays, these competitions are flighted by handicap and age.  There are prize funds for each flight and an optional skins game.

NCGA Juniors Events

For players 9-18 years old, these one-day, 18-hole events are flighted by handicap and are a great way to get junior golfers started in tournament play!

Young Golfer taking a swing

Every one of these options shares the same traits that make a tournament easy to start with: one day, net scoring, and flighted fields so you're playing against golfers at your own level.

Tournaments to Wait On Until You Have More Experience

Not every NCGA event is a great starting point.  Multi-day championships, like the NCGA Amateur, Stroke Play Championship, and California Amateur qualifiers, are better goals to work toward after you've played a season or two of net tournaments.

Here's why they're tougher for beginners:

  • They're multi-day events often using gross scores instead of net scores and require you to be at or below a certain handicap to play.
  • Some require you to play through a qualifying round just to get into the main event.
  • There's a rule called the 10-Stroke Rule. If you don't finish within 10 strokes of the course rating, you could be denied entry into that event again the following year.

None of this means you should avoid these tournaments forever.  Think of them as a great goal to build toward, not a place to start.

How to Register for Your First NCGA Tournament (Step-by-Step)

Ready to sign up? Here's exactly what to do:

  1. Confirm your NCGA membership is active.
  2. Check that your Handicap Index is up to date and all your recent rounds have been posted.
  3. Go to the NCGA tournament schedule and filter by "Weekend Net Tour" or the event you've chosen.
  4. Click Register, add the event to your cart, and check out.
  5. Watch your inbox for a confirmation email.
  6. Review the Player Information Card before tournament day.  This covers pace of play, local rules, and how to use the scoring app.

That's it.  Six steps, and you're officially entered in your first NCGA tournament.

Hot Tip: For an in-depth review on how to navigate the NCGA Tournament Calendar, be sure to check out our “Step by Step Guide on How to Register for an NCGA Tournament” here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best NCGA tournament for a first-timer?

The Weekend Net Tour. It's a one or two-day event, almost always held on the weekends, and it uses net scoring based on your handicap index. It groups players by flight, and you can play with your friends as well.

Do I need a low handicap to play in an NCGA tournament?

No. Most NCGA tournaments are net events and flighted, which means players are grouped with others of a similar handicap index.

How much does it cost to enter an NCGA tournament?

Entry fees vary by event and course, but one-day net tournaments are usually more affordable than multi-day championships. Check the specific event listing for exact pricing.

When does NCGA tournament registration open?

Registration opens in waves throughout the year.  The first tournaments typically open in mid-January, with the following waves in mid-April and mid-July.  Popular series like the Weekend Net Tour and Senior Series often fill within a week, so be sure to register as soon as it opens.

Can I play in a tournament with a partner instead of alone?

Yes.  A lot of NCGA events are team formats that let you compete alongside a partner instead of playing as an individual. Be sure to check the tournament format to see if it is a team event or an individual event. Even if it is an individual event, you can still play with friends who are also registered in the tournament.

How can I play with friends who also register for the tournament?

Many events like the WNT or Senior Series events allow you to select your tee time or who you want to play with. All registered players will receive an email about 1-2 weeks before the event date, allowing them to go in and select their preferred tee time or starting hole. Make sure your friends are all on the same page and select the same group.

Can I cancel my tournament registration if my plans change?

Yes, you can always cancel if you need to; just make sure you withdraw early so you don’t get hit with a large cancellation fee.

Ready to Play Your First Tournament?

Here's the takeaway: the Weekend Net Tour is your best first step. It's low-pressure, flighted by your handicap index, held on weekends and on various courses.

Check the current tournament schedule and register soon; spots in popular events fill up quickly. And if you're not sure your NCGA membership or handicap is set up correctly, take care of that first so you're ready to register the moment you find your event.

We’ll see you on the first tee!

Image of Women Golfers High Fiving