Amateur Status Reimagined
Starting in January 2022 , the USGA and R & A will adopt new Rules of Amateur Status by Chris Lang
IN 2019 , CALIFORNIA AMATEUR GOLFER LUCY LI FOUND HERSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIRESTORM IN REGARDS TO GOLF ’ S RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS . As a 16-year-old , Li appeared in a 15-second Apple Watch ad spot , where she was shown practicing and hanging out with friends . The ad first appeared on social media on Jan . 2 , and a day later , USGA officials were in contact with Li and her family to discuss the matter .
Immediately , Li reached out to Apple and asked for the ad to be taken down . Though she was determined to be in breach of Rule
6.2 — which prohibits golfers from using their golf skill or reputation to obtain current or future compensation for personal benefit — the USGA determined Li had made an honest mistake and issued her a warning .
Had the scenario occurred in January 2022 , there would have been neither a concern nor an investigation into the matter . In October , the USGA and R & A announced golf ’ s new Rules of Amateur Status , a welcome development that unblurs the lines between professionals and amateurs in an age where college and high school athletes now have the ability to profit on their name , image , and likeness . The Rules go into effect in January 2022 .
NEW RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS The R & A and USGA have updated the Rules of Amateur Status to make the Rules easier to understand and apply , and to ensure they continue to reflect how the modern game is played .
HERE ARE 5 THINGS TO KNOW :
PRIZES NAME , IMAGE AND LIKENESS ( NIL )
Amateurs may now accept prizes up to $ 1000 USD or £ 700
Amateurs may now accept prize money in a “ scratch competition .” But prize money may not be accepted in a “ handicap competition ” where only prizes such as equipment , clothing , shop credit , vouchers or gift certificates are allowed
No restrictions related to receiving expenses or using one ’ s name , image and likeness ( NIL ) to promote or advertise
Competition organizers may use logo policies to restrict logos and advertising
Juniors and student players should check with high school , collegiate or university associations to ensure eligibility
Simply put , there are only four ways a golfer can lose their amateur status , per a USGA press release :
• Accepting a prize with a value exceeding the prize limit ($ 1,000 USD or £ 700 ) in a scratch competition or accepting money in a handicap competition . ( Note : The VSGA offers gift certificates as prizes for its championship events .)
• Playing as a professional .
• Accepting payment for giving instruction ( although all current exceptions still apply , such as coaching at educational institutions and assisting with approved programs .)
• Accepting employment as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers .
To achieve the simplified approach , the following key changes have been introduced :
• Distinguishing between scratch and handicap competitions in terms of the prizes that may be accepted .
• The prize rule applies only to tee-tohole competitions played on a golf course or a simulator , but no longer apply to long-drive , putting and skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition .
• Eliminating all advertising , expenserelated and sponsorship restrictions .
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PROFESSIONAL ACTS
Not allowed to play in a competition as a professional , work at a golf course or driving range as a professional , or hold membership to an association for professional golfers ( such as a PGA )
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These limits do not apply to competitions that take place outside “ tee-to-hole competitions ” on a golf course or simulator , such as long-drive , putting or golf-skills competitions |
INSTRUCTION
Not allowed to provide instruction for compensation But exceptions include coaching
at educational institutions and approved programmes
REINSTATEMENT
Application is still required for reinstatement
Minimum recommended waiting period reduced from 1 year to 6 months
Minimum may be extended based on applicant ’ s playing history and success
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The new opportunities provided by lifting sponsorship restrictions and the ability to accept prize money up to the increased limit in scratch-only competitions will be of significant benefit to elite amateur golfers looking for ways to fund golfrelated expenses .
“ These Rules play an important role in protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport , but the code must evolve to meet the needs of the modern game ,” R & A Rules director Grant Moir said in the USGA press release . “ This is particularly important for modern elite amateur golf , where many of the players need financial support to compete and develop to their full potential .”
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14 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2021
vsga . org