Global Games Golf Kaupapa
Global Games Golf exists to:
• Connect young golfers from different clubs and regions
• Create opportunities for local kids to participate in meaningful events
• Build confidence and character through sport
• Promote sportsmanship and positive culture
• Reduce barriers to participation
• Celebrate effort, teamwork and contribution alongside results
Like all Global Games events, the golf series will place equal value on culture, behaviour and community impact as it does on performance.
The programme also aims to strengthen junior retention within golf clubs, increase accessibility to the sport and create lifelong positive connections to golf and community.
Age Groups
The series will include:
• Under 10
• Under 12
• Under 14
Team Structure
• Clubs may enter up to 8 players per age group
• Clubs can therefore bring up to 24 players across all age groups
• Teams represent their local golf clubs
• The format is designed to strengthen club culture while allowing players to meet and connect with golfers from other regions
The structure encourages clubs to grow junior participation while creating a strong sense of pride and belonging.
Handicap and Eligibility Rules
The series is designed to balance accessibility with competitive integrity.
• 6 players per team must fall within capped handicap requirements
• Remaining players may allow flexibility for emerging golfers and development opportunities
• Final handicap limits will be confirmed in consultation with PGA NZ and Golf NZ• Yardages will be age and handicap appropriate
Forward tees will apply for higher handicaps, progressing back as handicaps lower. This approach promotes:
• Fun
• Fairness
• Faster pace of play
• Better development outcomes
Event Structure
Regional Qualifiers
The series will include:
• 2 North Island regional events
• 1 South Island regional events
Final
Qualifying teams and hosting clubs will progress to the Central Otago Grand Final.
Event Format
Team Stableford Format
The competition format will focus on both individual and team performance.
• Players are grouped in fours based on handicap rankings
• Groups will intentionally mix players from different clubs and regions
• This encourages connection and relationship building between young golfers
Daily Group Points
At the completion of each round:
• Best Stableford score in each group receives 4 points
• Second receives 3 points
• Third receives 2 points
• Fourth receives 1 point
Points contribute toward the overall club standings.
Qualification
• Clubs accumulate points over the two day event
• Top qualifying clubs progress to the Final•
Host clubs may receive automatic qualification opportunities
Event Experience
Global Games Golf is designed to feel like a festival, not simply a tournament.
Alongside competition, events may include:
• Putting clinics
• Short game clinics
• Mindset and confidence workshops
• Skills challenges
• Parent and whānau education sessions
• Team activities
• Buddy club connections
• Shared kai and cultural experiences
• Whānau putting competitions and family activities
• Volunteer and community recognition initiatives
• Club connection evenings and social experiences
The emphasis is on ensuring every child leaves feeling valued, connected and inspired to continue in the sport.
Spirit of Golf Award
A major focus of the series is culture and sportsmanship.
At each event, PGA coaches and marshals will award Spirit of Golf recognition for:
• Helping another player
• Great etiquette
• Encouraging others
• Honesty in scoring
• Positive team culture
• Respect for officials and volunteers
This award is central to the Global Games kaupapa and reinforces that how players behave matters just as much as results.
The Spirit of Golf Award is intended to become one of the most valued recognitions within the series, celebrating character, leadership and contribution to others above individual performance alone.
Players may also be recognised publicly during presentations and shared event experiences to reinforce the importance of culture, sportsmanship and community leadership.
Coaching and Development
The series will work closely with:
• PGA NZ
• Golf NZ
• Regional golf clubs
• PGA trainees
• Local coaches
The programme aims to create genuine development pathways while making coaching and mentorship more accessible to young golfers across the country.
The series also aims to provide meaningful leadership, mentoring and event delivery opportunities for emerging coaches, PGA trainees and young leaders within golf communities.
Inclusion and Scholarships
Global Games Golf is committed to reducing barriers to participation.
The programme aims to support:
• Families needing financial assistance
• Players from remote communities
• Underrepresented regions and clubs
Support may include:
• Travel assistance
• Affordable accommodation options
• Scholarship opportunities
• Community fundraising initiatives
The belief behind the programme is simple: Talent exists everywhere. Opportunity should too.
Long Term Vision
The long term vision is to establish Global Games Golf as the leading junior club based golf festival series in New Zealand.
The programme aims to:
• Strengthen junior club participation
• Create positive pathways in golf
• Bring communities together
• Increase accessibility
• Deliver world class experiences for young people and families
• Support long term junior retention and participation in golf
• Build stronger relationships between clubs and golfing communities throughout New Zealand
• Create a nationally recognised culture-first junior golf experience
Most importantly, the measure of success will remain simple:
Kids and families walking away saying,
“That was the best golf experience ever.”
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