4-1. General

Except as provided in the Rules, an amateur golfer must not accept expenses, in money or otherwise, from any source to play in a golf competition or exhibition.

4-2. Receipt of Expenses

An amateur golfer may receive reasonable expenses, not exceeding the actual expenses incurred, to play in a golf competition or exhibition as follows:

a. Family Support

An amateur golfer may receive expenses from a member of his family or a legal guardian.

b. Junior Golfers

A junior golfer may receive expenses when competing in a competition limited exclusively to junior golfers.

Note: The acceptance of expenses may violate the eligibility rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

c. Individual Events

An amateur golfer may receive expenses when competing in individual events, provided he complies with the following provisions:

(i) Where the competition is to take place in the United States, the expenses must be approved by and paid through the player's state or regional golf association.

(ii) Where the competition is to take place in another country, the expenses must be approved by both the USGA and the national union or association in the country in which the competition is to be staged. The expenses must be paid through the player's state or regional golf association, or, subject to the approval of the USGA, by the body controlling golf in the territory he is visiting.

The USGA may limit the receipt of expenses to a specific number of competitive days in any one calendar year, and an amateur golfer must not exceed any such limit. In such a case, the expenses are deemed to include reasonable travel time and practice days in connection with the competitive days.

Exception: An amateur golfer must not receive expenses, directly or indirectly, from a professional agent (see Rule 2-1) or any other similar source as may be determined by the USGA.

Note 1: The acceptance of expenses may violate the eligibility rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Note 2: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not promote or advertise the source of any expenses received (see Rule 6-2).

d. Team Events

An amateur golfer, may receive expenses when he is representing:

• his country,
• his state or regional golf association,
• his golf club,
• his business or industry, or
• a similar body

in a team competition, practice session or training camp.

Note 1: A "similar body" includes a recognized educational institution or military service.

Note 2: Unless otherwise stated, the expenses must be paid by the body that the amateur golfer is representing or the body controlling golf in the country he is visiting.

e. Invitation Unrelated to Golf Skill

An amateur golfer who is invited for reasons unrelated to golf skill (e.g., a celebrity, a business associate or customer) to take part in a golf event may receive expenses.

f. Exhibitions

An amateur golfer who is participating in an exhibition in aid of a recognized charity may receive expenses, provided that the exhibition is not run in connection with another golfing event in which the player is competing.

g. Sponsored Handicap Competitions

An amateur golfer may receive expenses when competing in a sponsored handicap competition, provided the competition has been approved as follows:

(i) Where the competition is to take place in the United States, the annual approval of the USGA must first be obtained in advance by the sponsor; and

(ii) Where the competition is to take place in more than one country or involves golfers from another country, the approval of the USGA and the national union of the other country must first be obtained in advance by the sponsor. The application for this approval should be sent to the national union in the country where the competition commences when it does not commence in the United States.