2026 U.S. Amateur Qualifying: Complete Guide, Sites & Schedule

The U.S. Amateur is the most prestigious title in amateur golf, and for all but a handful of exempt players, the only way in is to qualify. Since 2024 the USGA has used a two-stage format: Local Qualifying across June and Final Qualifying in July, each a single 18-hole stroke-play test. Survive both and you earn one of the 312 spots in the championship field at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, August 10–16, 2026.

This guide tracks the entire 2026 qualifying season — every site, every date — and links through to live coverage of each event. For the evergreen breakdown of each stage, see our dedicated hubs: U.S. Amateur Qualifying and Final Qualifying, plus our full U.S. Amateur championship hub.

📝 How U.S. Amateur Qualifying Works

The two-stage model is a funnel. Local Qualifying is the wide end — roughly 45 one-day, 18-hole sites across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with fields of 80 to 130 players competing for a small allocation (generally 5 to 15 spots plus two alternates). Those who advance move to Final Qualifying: about 19 sites in mid-July, fields in the high 70s to low 80s, and usually only two to four tickets per site. End to end, the odds from entry to teeing it up at Merion sit near 1 in 24 — more than 5,000 players entered in 2025.

🏌️ Local Qualifying Sites — June 2026

48 Local Qualifying sites. Locations per the USGA; click a venue for dates, field and live scoring.

🏆 Final Qualifying Sites — July 2026

19 Final Qualifying sites. Players reach Final Qualifying by advancing through Local Qualifying or via exemption.

⛳ The Prize: Merion Golf Club

The 2026 championship lands at one of golf's true cathedrals. Merion Golf Club's East Course is short by modern standards — a par 70 of under 7,000 yards — but its firm greens, deep bunkering (the famed “white faces of Merion”) and signature wicker-basket flagsticks make it one of the most demanding tests in the country. The history is unmatched: Bobby Jones completed the Grand Slam here by winning the 1930 U.S. Amateur, Ben Hogan struck his iconic 1-iron on the 72nd hole in the 1950 U.S. Open, and Justin Rose won the 2013 U.S. Open over the same ground. The 2026 field opens with 36 holes of stroke play — shared with Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne — before the low 64 advance to single-elimination match play and a 36-hole final.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do you qualify for the 2026 U.S. Amateur?

For all but exempt players, qualifying is a two-stage process: an 18-hole Local Qualifier in June, then an 18-hole Final Qualifier in July. Advance through both to earn a place in the 312-player field at Merion Golf Club, August 10–16, 2026.

What handicap do you need to enter the U.S. Amateur?

A Handicap Index that does not exceed 0.4. The USGA lowered the limit as part of its 2024 qualifying changes, so the field is effectively scratch or better.

When is 2026 U.S. Amateur qualifying?

Local Qualifying runs June 1–30 at roughly 45 sites; Final Qualifying runs July 13–22 at about 19 sites. Entries opened March 18 and closed May 27, 2026.

How many players advance from Local Qualifying?

It varies with field size, but most local sites advance about 5 to 15 players plus two alternates. The lowest scorers move on; ties for the final spot are settled by a playoff.

Where is the 2026 U.S. Amateur being played?

Merion Golf Club (East Course) in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, August 10–16, 2026, with Philadelphia Country Club co-hosting the stroke-play rounds.

Live scoring and qualifying results from every 2026 U.S. Amateur site are tracked all season at AmateurGolf.com.