The Fine Line Between You And Tiger Woods

Note: all references and quotes are from the Rules of Amateur Status, not the Rules of Golf.

In Oregon, we’ve been fortunate to witness amateur accomplishments from notable players including locals such as Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Quinney, and Jonathan Moore as well as visitors like Tiger Woods.  For each of these great amateurs, their goal was to be a professional golfer.   Outside of knowing these professional tour players or our local PGA professionals, understanding the line between amateur and professional golfers is confusing and unclear. 
With “Hello World” in 1996, Tiger Woods publicly announced his departure from amateur golf (Rule 2-1) shortly after winning the U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge.  Yet many average players unknowingly join the ranks of “professional” simply through violating the Rules of Amateur Status.

As Manager of Rules Education for the Oregon Golf Association, part of my charge is to oversee and field questions regarding the Rules of Amateur Status as well as the USGA Policy on Gambling.  The rules that define amateurism, professionalism, prizes, expenses, instruction, use of golf skill or reputation, and reinstatement are found at the back of the current Rules of Golf. I recommend all golfers who plan to compete in amateur events give the Rules a closer look.
“The purpose and spirit of the Rules is to maintain the distinction between amateur golf and professional golf and to keep the amateur game as free as possible from the abuses that may follow from uncontrolled sponsorship and financial incentive.” (Rule 1-3)

The majority of breaches occur either at the point of entering a tournament or when a non-conforming prize is accepted, so your best protection is to clarify the prize structure before you enter any event or exhibition.

For instance, if cash will be awarded (excluding side games which fall under the Policy on Gambling) or there are prizes with a value that exceeds $750, either do not enter the tournament or make it clear on your entry that you are waiving your right to accept cash, prizes, or prize vouchers (Rule 3-1).  Note there is a clear distinction in the Rules between cash and prizes or prize vouchers.

If the tournament does award conforming prizes, know that Rule 3-2b prohibits you from exchanging or selling your prize for cash or its equivalent (Dec 3-2b/1).  In addition, using a prize voucher to pay for club dues, a bar bill, or tournament entry fees is also prohibited – prize vouchers may only be redeemed for the purchase of items “which might normally be presented as prizes in a golf competitions” (Dec 3-2b/2).  Typically these are items you’d regularly find in a pro shop. 

Most importantly, if you are unsure if a prize is conforming, do not accept it and ask that the award be deferred while you seek clarification from your State or Regional Golf Association or the USGA (Dec 7-2/1).  Once a non-conforming prize has been accepted, you are no longer eligible to play in amateur events and you now hold the same status under the Rules as a Tour Professional.

Regardless of whether a player knowingly or unintentionally commit a breach of the Rules leading to their loss of amateur status, Rule 9-2b states the player must undergo a 1 to 2 year period while awaiting reinstatement.

One additional quick note – gambling,  including cash gambling, is permissible and is not a breach of the Rules of Amateur Status if the action is incidental to the game being played (I’ll cover the USGA Policy on Gambling in a later article).  In general, players should know each other, participation is optional (the gambling is not the game), all money involved is forwarded by the players themselves, and the amount wagered is not considered excessive.

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