Am I a Fit?

Almost certainly, yes.

The point of five divisions is that you’re never playing against the whole field – only against players in your own skill band. Division 5 is for players at 18.5 and above, and it’s a real division with its own trophies, its own prize pool, and its own Player of the Year race.

In Divisions 3, 4, and 5 the maximum score on any hole is triple bogey. If a hole gets away from you, pick up and move on. Nobody is waiting on you and nobody is keeping score of it.

Our members range from plus-handicaps to 30-handicaps. If you enjoy competition, there’s a division for you.

Division 1 – 3.4 and below Division 2 – 3.5 to 8.4 Division 3 – 8.5 to 13.4 Division 4 – 13.5 to 18.4 Division 5 – 18.5 and above

When you join you’ll receive the APT Handicap Questionnaire. The Competition Committee reviews it alongside any other data you provide – your USGA Handicap and its 12-month low, competition scores, results from other organizations, and the tees you’ve been playing – and places you in a division.

We ask for an honest self-assessment. New members who post scores well below their division draw scrutiny, because protecting the field matters more to us than any single result.

Yes – a large share of our members had never played competitive golf before joining.

You don’t need a home club, a GHIN, or anyone to sign up with. Pairings are assigned by APT staff, so you’ll always have a group. Local rules are printed and handed to you with your scorecard. Staff are on site all day, and if you’re ever unsure of a ruling you can play two balls and bring the question to the committee afterward – there’s no penalty for asking.

No. Most members sign up on their own.

You’ll be paired with other players in your division, and because your chapter plays a full local schedule, you’ll see the same faces month after month. Plenty of our members joined not knowing anyone in their chapter and now plan their season around it.

Yes. Membership is open to all amateur golfers 18 and over.

Women play from a tee rated similarly to the tee used by their male counterparts in the same division, so competition stays equitable across the field. Women 60 and over also have the option to play Senior Net only.

Membership is open to amateur golfers 18 and over.

Golfers under 18 can request a waiver by emailing handicaps@aptgolf.org. Junior members must waive any right to prize money or skins games before competing, and it’s the junior’s responsibility to understand how prizes affect high school and college eligibility.