http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-of-amateur-status.html#!rule-04 false Rule 4. - Expenses Rule 4. - Expenses 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 Competition Expenses An amateur golfer may receive reasonable competition expenses, not exceeding the actual expenses incurred, to play in a golf competition or exhibition as prescribed in clauses a-g of this Rule. If an amateur golfer is in receipt of an educational golf scholarship (see Rule 6-5), or may apply for such a scholarship in the future, he is advised to contact the national body regulating such scholarships and/or the relevant educational institution to ensure that any competition expenses are allowable under the applicable scholarship regulations. 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: If a competition is not limited exclusively to junior golfers, a junior golfer may receive expenses when competing in that competition, as prescribed in Rule 4-2c. c. Individual Events An amateur golfer may receive expenses when competing in individual events provided he complies with the following provisions: Where the competition is to take place in the player's own country the expenses must be approved by and paid through the player's national, regional, state or county golf union or association, or with the approval of such body, may be paid by the player's golf club. Where the competition is to take place in another country the expenses must be approved by and paid through the player's national, regional, state or county golf union or association or, subject to the approval of the player's national union or association, paid by the body controlling golf in the territory in which he is competing. The Governing Body 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 2-2) or any other similar source as may be determined by the Governing Body. Note: Except as provided in the Rules, 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 regional, state or county golf union or 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 competing. 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: Where the competition is to take place in the player's own country, the annual approval of the Governing Body must first be obtained in advance by the sponsor; and Where the competition is to take place in more than one country or involves golfers from another country, the annual approval of each Governing Body must first be obtained in advance by the sponsor. The application for this approval should be sent to the Governing Body in the country where the competition commences. 4-3. Subsistence Expenses An amateur golfer may receive reasonable subsistence expenses, not exceeding actual expenses incurred, to assist with general living costs, provided the expenses are approved by and paid through the player's national golf union or association. In determining whether such subsistence expenses are necessary and/ or appropriate, the national golf union or association, which has the sole discretion in the approval of such expenses, should consider, among other factors, applicable socio-economic conditions. Exception: An amateur golfer must not receive subsistence expenses, directly or indirectly, from a professional agent (see Rule 2-2) or any other similar source as may be determined by the Governing Body.