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Questions and Answers
Expenses
A junior golfer may accept a reasonable amount of expenses to play in an amateur golf competition or exhibition or to improve golf skill, but not into an Open or a Pro-Am. Amateurs who are older and no longer juniors may not accept expenses. The expenses may come from any source except an agent but they may not be paid to cover a sponsorship. One example of a prohibited sponsorship is an agreement between a player and a department store where the player receives support for his golf activities in exchange for his promotion of the store. Other occasions when an amateur may receive expenses are when he is participating in team competitions among school or college teams, golf club or golf association teams, or competitions among teams of athletic organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the YMCA. The expenses in these team competitions must be paid by the group being represented.
What you need to know about Expenses
Q. What makes up a player’s reasonable expenses?
A. Expenses include transportation such as airfare or a bus ticket, and lodging, meals, entry fee, and caddie/cart and practice fees. The expenses a player receives must be reasonable, such as a coach airfare, not a first class ticket.
Q. The local car dealership is offering to help with my expenses for the summer. Is this okay, and if so, may I wear a hat for it or put its logo on my bag?
A. Yes, you may accept help from the car dealership. However, there may be no advertising of the dealership’s assistance. The car dealership may not advertise that it has helped you, nor may you wear the logo of the dealership. (See also Section on Golf Skill and Reputation.)
Q. May I solicit local businesses for help with my expenses?
A. Yes, juniors may receive expenses from any source, except a professional agent or sponsor, and there are no restrictions on how those expense monies are obtained. However, there may not be an oral or written agreement with the source paying the expenses. (See also Section on Professionalism.)
Q. My mom wants to travel with me to the U.S. Junior, but it is expensive to travel across the country. What may she do?
A. Your family also may receive outside help with expenses for one parent or legal guardian to accompany you, but only to amateur competitions.
Q.What should my family do if there is a question about how our expenses are paid?
A. It is recommended that your family keep receipts or a log of the expenses received, as well as a record of how the money is spent, in case a question is raised.
Q. In addition to receiving expenses for playing in tournaments, may my family also receive help to send me to golf camp?
A. Yes, juniors may accept expenses for practice or to receive instruction, including golf camps.
Q.I’d like to play in the PGA Tour’s Pro-Am in my town. I know this is not an amateur-only event. Is there a way I may play without losing my amateur status?
A. Yes. You may play in the Pro-Am as an amateur. Additionally, the entry fee to a Pro-Am is not considered an expense. Therefore, you may have the entry fee to a Pro-Am waived or paid by another source such as a local business. However, the other costs associated with playing in the Pro-Am such as travel and/or accommodations are expenses, and your family may not accept outside help with them because the Pro-Am is not limited to amateurs.
Q.What may I do for any events that I play in that are not amateur only, such as a Pro-Am or my state open?
A. If you are playing in a competition that is not limited to amateurs, you may not accept expenses. Also, your family may not accept outside help for the family to attend the event. If you or your family were to accept such expenses, you would lose your amateur status. In this case, the payment of expenses must come from the family’s own resources, such as an immediate family member or a legal guardian.
Q.May a hotel offer reduced rates for a competition?
A. Yes, a reduction of rates is permissible provided the reduction is reasonable and available to all players. For example, a 5-Star hotel may not offer a room for $40 a night. A hotel may not offer complimentary accommodations to junior golfers who are staying to participate in an event not limited to amateurs such as an Open or Pro-Am. However, junior golfers may accept complimentary accommodations to amateur-only competitions.
Q.Private housing is offered at my state girls’ junior championship. Is this permitted?
A. You may stay in private housing at no charge provided it is offered to all players, even if on a space-available basis.
Q.My junior tour provides all our meals during their events. Is this practice okay?
A. Yes, as long as the meals are provided for all players at no extra cost.
Q.May I accept expenses for a future event as a prize?
A. Yes. Only juniors may accept expenses as prizes. However, the expenses must be for strictly amateur competitions.
Q.The local golf course in my town has a student or junior membership. May I apply for this membership at the lower rate?
A. If the student or junior membership is open to other than outstanding players, then paying the lower dues is permitted. The club may even offer this membership free of charge to junior golfers of any skill level. See related question under Golf Skill or Reputation.
For additional information on Expenses, refer to Rule 4.
Use of Golf Skill or Reputation
Generally an amateur golfer is only considered to have golf skill, as the Rules define it, if he has been successful at the local level — by winning the state amateur, for example — or competes at the national level, as a contestant in the U.S. Junior, for example. A junior may presently not have golf skill or reputation, but have it at a later time as a result of his most recent play. Sometimes it may be difficult to determine if a junior does have golf skill or reputation. Golf skill or reputation is gained as one becomes more successful and notable as a golfer. Golf reputation may only be gained through having golf skill. A junior who does have golf skill or reputation must not use that skill or reputation to promote, advertise, or sell anything, or to receive a financial gain. A prominent junior may not allow his name or likeness to be used for the advertisement or sale of anything. Even if a direct payment is not received, there may be an indirect benefit for appearing in an advertisement. There is a higher standard expected of an amateur of golf skill or reputation as he is more visible as a golfer, and therefore, has added responsibility.
Who has Golf Skill or Reputation?
The following are examples of single accomplishments that will not result in a junior having golf skill or reputation:
• Winning your club’s Junior Championship;
• Winning your city’s Par-3 Challenge for ages 12 and under. The following are examples of single accomplishments that will result in a junior having golf skill or reputation:
• Winning your State Junior Amateur Championship;
• Participating in the U.S. Junior or the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. The above should be viewed only as examples, as the decision may be different for each junior.
What you need to know if you have Golf Skill or Reputation
Q. The local gym where I work out would like to include me as a golfer in one of its upcoming ads. I will not receive any payment for doing so. Is this permitted?
A. No. Appearing in any advertisement, even if you are not paid, will violate the Rules.
Q.My mother has created a personal logo for me. May I sell shirts or hats with the logo?
A. No. Doing so is considered advertising, from which you are prohibited.
Q. I’ve been asked to be a guest on a local radio show. The radio station has offered to pay me for my time. Is this payment permitted?
A. You may accept payment for broadcasting, or for writing, provided you are the author of the commentary, that golf instruction is not included, and the arrangement is not a disguised way of paying for participation in a golf competition or for expenses that otherwise may not be paid.
Q. I’m interested in pursuing a broadcasting career. May I work at the local radio station to get experience?
A. You may accept payment or compensation for part-time broadcasting or for writing only if you are the author of the commentary and golf instruction is not included.
Q. I just won our state junior championship, and the course where the tournament was played would like to offer me privileges there. Is this arrangement permissible?
A. Yes, you may accept what is called an “honorary membership” for an outstanding performance, such as winning at least a state championship, or a strong record from a significant international team competition. The arrangement must be made without any time limit and at no charge to anyone. There are no age requirements under the Rules for one to accept such a membership.
Q.My high school team practices at Winding River Golf Course during the season. The course has offered for us to play and practice there during the off-season. Is this okay, or would our team be considered to be accepting membership contrary to the Rules?
A. This arrangement for privileges is permitted. But if the players were to accept membership in the club without full payment, a violation would occur, provided the honorary aspect in the above question does not apply. See related question under Expenses.
Q.Our high school is conducting a fundraiser and has asked the top two players of the team to station themselves on a par 3 and play in a contest when each group comes through. May I participate without affecting my amateur status?
A. Yes, because the event is a fundraiser for the school, and this also would apply if it were for a charity.
For additional information on Use of Golf Skill or Reputation, refer to Rule 6.
Other Issues Relating to Golf Skill or Reputation
Common Questions about Equipment
Q.I’ve heard I may accept equipment without payment. Is this true?
A. Yes. Amateurs of any skill level may receive equipment without payment provided no advertising is involved.
Q.Will you please explain what is meant by “no advertising involved” under the equipment rule?
A. An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may accept golf balls, clubs, merchandise, clothing or shoes free of charge or at a discounted rate from a manufacturer, provided no advertising is involved. With regard to golf bags, it is permissible for the bag to bear the name of the manufacturer in large letters, but if it does, the player must not allow his own name to appear on the bag in large letters. If he does, he may be deemed to be advertising the merchandise of that manufacturer and may forfeit his amateur status. The same applies to bag covers and other luggage. It is important to note that an amateur who has golf skill or reputation must not put his own name in large letters on a golf bag that he has purchased himself which contains a manufacturer’s logo. If the amateur does not have golf skill or reputation, such arrangement is permitted.
Q. Is it permissible for a well-known junior to carry a golf bag or wear apparel including a hat with a commercial logo on it?
A. Such a bag may be carried or apparel worn in the following circumstances:
• If the logo is a normal part of the bag, hat or clothing.
• If she won it as a prize and, if it carries a company name other than the manufacturer’s name on it, she is not an employee of the company.
Q. I received a new driver from a manufacturer, but I do not like it. Is it okay to sell it on an online auction?
A. No. Amateurs may not sell any equipment that was received free of charge, including equipment won as a prize.
Q. The junior tournament I played in last week gave out shoes, a shoe bag, and a golf shirt to each contestant. Are these gifts permissible?
A. Yes. Tee gifts awarded to all players in a competition are permissible, even if they bear the event’s name or the name of the junior tour.
Scholarships
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not use that skill or reputation to gain the benefits of a scholarship or grant-in-aid other than in accord with the regulations of the organizations governing athletes at academic institutions such as the NCAA, NAIA, AIAW, NJCAA, etc. Juniors are encouraged to check with the governing organization regarding any questions on how scholarships are administered. (See related question under Prizes.)
Prizes
The Rules place a limit on the value of prizes to ensure that an amateur is not making a profit as the result of success on the golf course. The retail value of the prize, which is the price at which the prize is generally available at the time of the award, is used to define the limit. Not only is there a maximum value on the prize that may be won, but there also is a restriction on the types of prizes. For example, Rule 3-1 prohibits an amateur from playing for prize money. If an amateur participates in an event where prize money is awarded, he must waive his right to any prize money prior to participating in the event. If this waiver is made, it may not be cancelled; rather it must stand throughout the competition. Again, the waiver must be made before participating in the competition. Examples of prizes that are a breach of the Prize Rule:
• A vacation with a retail value that exceeds $750.
• Prizes that are equivalent to money such as stocks and bonds, or anything that may easily be exchanged for money.
• Selling golf equipment that was won as a prize, or receiving cash in exchange for a gift certificate.
• Accepting expenses as a prize to the State Open, because it is not an amateur-only event. In addition to prizes won as a result of a competition, an amateur also may be awarded a prize for a number of notable performances or for contributions to golf. Such awards are known as testimonial awards. These awards must also not hold a retail value greater than $750. More than one testimonial award may be accepted, as long as it is not accepted to avoid the $750 limit.
What you need to know about Prizes:
Q. What are examples of prizes that are acceptable under the Rules?
A.
• Merchandise with a retail value not greater than $750.
• Gift certificates of not more than $750 for the future purchase of merchandise.
• Driving range use of up to $750.
• Use of golf carts up to $750, provided it is not used in a competition.
• Green fees at a public course of up to $750, provided they are not used in a competition. It is important to remember you must not accept a cash prize of any amount.
Q.What are examples of prizes that would cause me to lose my amateur status?
A.
• Transportation expenses of any amount to a competition that is not limited to amateurs such as an Open or Pro-Am.
• A spot in a Pro-Am of a retail value greater than $750.
• Cash
Q.Will you please clarify how the exception for a hole-in-one applies?
A. Kathy won a tournament, for which the first-place prize is merchandise of a retail value of $750. During that same tournament, she also made a hole-in-one, the prize for which is merchandise of a retail value of $750. She may accept both prizes.
Q.I’ve entered an event that will be awarding cash prizes for a hole-in-one, closest to the hole, and longest drive. Will I lose my amateur status for simply playing in the event?
A. No. Rule 3-1 does not apply to such contests as they are not a match, tournament or exhibition. Rather, Rule 3-2 does. Therefore, only the player who wins and accepts the cash prize(s) would forfeit her amateur status.
Q.The junior tour I play on gives scholarships as prizes. Are these scholarships considered the equivalent of money?
A. No. It is permissible to accept a scholarship or grant as a prize provided its value does not exceed $750. Additionally, the scholarship money must not be paid to the player. The scholarship must be administered directly with the school. The tournament organizers may hold the money in a fund in the junior’s name for use at a later time. Juniors are encouraged to check with the governing collegiate athletic association to determine if there is a limit on the amount of scholarship money that may be awarded.
Q.May I accept a prize with a retail value of $750 or less that has been donated by a golf equipment manufacturer?
A. Yes. (See also Section on Equipment.)
Q.My father and I were partners in our city’s four-ball championship. The winning prize was a gift certificate to the local travel agent for $1,000 for each of us. May I let my father accept my gift certificate so I will not lose my amateur status?
A. No. If you win a non-conforming prize, you may not accept it in the name of a relative to avoid losing your amateur status. However, you may ask that the amount over $750 be donated to a charity.
Q. My teammate Carrie and I won our state’s high school challenge, and the prize was $2,000 for the winning school’s athletic program. Is this prize okay, since it is going to the school?
A. Yes. Since you are not directly accepting the prize, and the money is going to the school, the prize is permissible.
Q.The crystal trophy that is awarded for first place has a retail value greater than $750. Will I lose my amateur status for accepting it?
A. No. A trophy that is made of gold, silver, ceramic, glass or something similar that is intended for display purposes only and has no significant practical value is known as a symbolic prize. There is no dollar limit on symbolic prizes.
Q.My club holds a skins game once a month and my father’s friends try to talk me into playing on their team. What is the USGA’s stance on skins games?
A. If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is not optional (i.e., you are essentially required to pay an entry fee to be used to award cash prizes in the skins game), then you would likely be considered to be playing for prize money and thus in violation of Rule 3-1. If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is optional (i.e., there is an optional cash side pool in which you could contribute if you wished in order to be eligible for the “skins” prizes), involves a nominal amount of money, and is not advertised, the arrangement would appear to constitute gambling. Gambling is casual betting among friends who provide their own money for the wagers. Additionally, it is important that the amount of money involved when gambling is a small amount. Gambling itself under such circumstances is not a violation of the Rules. It is recommended that you not play in these events so your amateur status is not even brought into question.
Q.I like to play in the monthly Scramble at my club. The winning team receives prize money. Will this affect my amateur status?
A. You may play in scrambles at your local club. However, if cash prizes are being awarded, you must irrevocably waive your right to any prize money prior to participating in the event. Additionally, your partners may not accept the cash prize that you would have won. It is recommended that you not play in these events so your amateur status is not even brought into question.
For additional information on Prizes, refer to Rule 3.
Professionalism
An amateur must not take any action for the purpose of becoming a professional golfer and must not identify himself as a professional golfer. Additionally, an amateur must not apply for or receive benefit from membership in any organization of professional golfers. An example of an action that is prohibited:
• applying for a professional’s position, but you may apply for an assistant professional’s position. Additional examples that apply only for players of golf skill and reputation:
• Receiving services from or being paid by a professional agent or sponsor. This includes accepting a loan from an agent or sponsor.
• Making an oral or written agreement with a professional agent or sponsor.
• Agreeing to accept payment or compensation for allowing one’s name or likeness to be used for any commercial purpose (See Section on Golf Skill and Reputation). There are two exceptions to the above Rule that amateurs may do without losing their amateur status:
• Applying unsuccessfully for the position of assistant professional.
• Entering and playing in any stage of a competition to qualify for a professional tour, provided the player first waives his right to any prize money.
What you need to know about Professionalism
Q. What type of job may I have at a golf course without losing my amateur status?
A. You may work as a caddie, shop clerk, golf club repairman, greenkeeper, course ranger, starter, course manager, or director of golf. However, remember that while working at a golf course, you must not give or help give any lessons or instruction, including at a clinic or day camp, even if there is no direct payment. (See Section on Instruction.)
Q. May I take the PGA’s Playing Ability Test?
A. Participating in the PAT will not cause you to lose your amateur status. You will be in violation of the Rules when you either first identify yourself as a professional or file an application for membership in a professional organization such as the PGA of America.
Q. In my job, I perform the normal duties of a shop clerk, give no instruction and otherwise do not violate the Rules except my title is “Assistant Professional.” Have I forfeited my amateur status?
A. Yes. You have identified yourself as a professional.
Q. Will you please explain the exception for playing in a tour qualifying school?
A. An amateur may attempt to qualify for a professional tour, provided he first waives his right to any prize money. (See Section on Prizes.)
Please note that this Rule applies only to tour qualifying schools and does not apply to a qualifier for a particular event such as a Monday qualifier for an event on a professional tour. To maintain your amateur status in a qualifier for a professional tour, you must enter as an amateur and irrevocably waive your right to receive prize money.
Q. I’d like to enroll in a college that has a program that will teach the aspects of professional golf. Will doing so cause me to lose my amateur status?
A. No. Being in a program such as Professional Golf Management that has the purpose of preparing you to become a golf professional does not, by itself, cause you to lose your amateur status. However, if you take it a step further and accept an Assistant Professional’s position, or receive payment for giving instruction, then a violation will occur.
Q. May my family take out a loan to help pay for my expenses?
A. You or your family may accept a loan from an outside source provided the loan is made without any special condition other than allowing you to defer payment until you become a professional. The loan must entail no obligation on your part other than to repay it. Specifically, when you become a professional, you must be legally free to execute an agreement with a sponsor, agent or group that were not those advancing the loan. The loan must carry a reasonable interest rate. Please note that if you have golf skill or reputation (discussed earlier) a higher standard applies to you and you may not accept a loan from a professional agent or sponsor, commercial or otherwise.
For additional information on Professionalism, refer to Rule 2.
Instruction
An amateur golfer must not receive payment in any form for giving instruction in playing golf. Payments may not be made directly or indirectly such as exchanging something of value for instruction. Instruction is defined as the physical aspects of playing golf, which means the actual mechanics of swinging a golf club and hitting a golf ball. It does not cover the psychology of the game or the Rules or Etiquette of Golf.
Examples of when instruction is permitted
Q. Our golf coach is paid for giving instruction. Is this permitted?
A. Employees of schools and colleges may receive payment for giving instruction provided that the amount of time spent giving instruction is less than 50 percent of her total time in the performance of all duties as such an employee. In this situation, the golf instruction is just one part of the coach’s job as an educator.
Q. How does the Rule apply for a counselor at a camp?
A. A camp counselor may receive payment for giving instruction provided that the amount of time spent giving instruction is less than 50 percent of her total time spent in the performance of all duties as the counselor. Camps that fall under this exception which permits payment are overnight camps, even if only devoted to golf, or a day camp in which there are activities other than golf.
Q. May I receive payment for giving instruction in writing?
A. Payment for giving instruction in writing is permitted provided your ability or reputation as a golfer was not the major reason you were asked to write the instruction or your work is sold.
Examples of when instruction is not permitted
Q. A shop clerk at a golf course is paid to clean clubs, operate the cash register and organize the golf carts. She occasionally gives lessons at the course but is not specifically compensated for this service. Is she an amateur?
A. No. She has violated Rule 5-1. No employee of the course may give instruction at the course and remain an amateur even if she is not directly compensated for the lessons. Giving lessons becomes part of the employee’s job duties, for which she is paid normal wages.
Q. The professional at our course has asked me if I could work part-time this summer to help instruct youngsters in the junior clinics and camps. May I do so without forfeiting my amateur status?
A. No. Amateurs of any age or skill level can not help in this manner. In view of the previous question, the USGA does not believe that it can relax the Rules in this way. The giving of golf instruction for compensation is a primary act of professionalism and should be limited to professional golfers. In this case, the clinic is an extension of the services provided by the professional.
For more information on Instruction, refer to Rule 5.
Enforcement of the Rules & Reinstatement
If the USGA receives information that a player who claims to be an amateur has possibly acted contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status, it will conduct an appropriate investigation. Either the staff will make a decision, or it will forward the facts to the Amateur Status Committee for review. If it is determined that the player in question has forfeited his amateur status, he is entitled to apply for reinstatement to amateur status.
The preceding information is only a summary of the Rules of Amateur Status. Juniors are encouraged to contact their state high school athletic association or the governing collegiate athletic association for information on high school or college eligibility. These policies may vary between each body.
While the USGA makes every effort to make the Rules of Amateur Status
clear and easy to understand, we recognize that situations may arise that require interpretation. Any junior golfer in doubt as to any procedure is encouraged to contact the USGA Amateur Status Department by calling
(908) 234-2300 or sending an e-mail to rules@usga.org. |
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