USGA, R&A Punt On Amateur Status: Two Years Planned For Modernization Process

While the issues are complex, that no definitive answers are coming for nearly two years on amateur status seems both odd and not surprising.

However, given California legislation that will expedite pay for college athletes and the crumbling notion of what it means to be an amateur golfer, mean waiting two years is too long.

For Immediate Release:

USGA AND THE R&A TO MODERNIZE RULES OF AMATEUR STATUS

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (December 9, 2019) – The USGA and The R&A are conducting a review of the Rules of Amateur Status to make them easier to understand and apply.

The comprehensive evaluation is part of the continued joint effort to modernize the Rules by reducing complexity and ensuring the Rules effectively guide how the game is played today.

As part of a review process that began earlier this year, the governing bodies will seek the perspectives of golf’s stakeholders as an integral component of the review process, including elite amateur golfers, golf event organizers, national golf associations, professional golf associations and other industry partners. 

All the same boilerplate stuff from the distance study releases. But go on…

The aim is to provide the golf community with a modernized set of the Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with the goal of an effective date of January 1, 2022. 

Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of Governance at the USGA, said, “One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime. It is our goal to ensure that the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and enjoyment for everyone, while still addressing many issues that seek to protect the game. This is a forward-thinking approach and engaging golfers is a key component of doing what’s best for golf.”

Grant Moir, director – Rules at The R&A, said, “We will be looking at the Rules of Amateur Status carefully and considering ways in which we can modernize them and bring them more into line with the way the modern sport is played. The code remains a fundamental framework for amateur golf and we will be listening to the views of players, officials and associations to give us a fully rounded view of how we can improve them.”

More listening to the players to shape rules related to the players. What could go wrong?

Meanwhile, what’s an amateur status press release without a mention of the dreaded hole-in-one prize issue?

In a separate move, effective January 1, 2020, the USGA and The R&A will introduce one change to Rule 3-2b of the Rules of Amateur Status, which regulates hole-in-one prizes. The Rules will no longer limit the prize an amateur golfer may win when making a hole-in-one outside a round of golf, including “stand-alone” and “multiple-entry” hole-in-one events. It is hoped the change will help to promote the game and cater to new audiences as well, and eliminate unnecessary restrictions for event organizers. 

New Rule 3-2b will read as follows:

Rule 3-2b. Hole-in-One Prizes 

An amateur golfer may accept a prize in excess of the limit in Rule 3-2a, including a cash prize, for making a hole-in-one during a round of golf on a golf course.

Now, about the takedown notices and amateur status threats aimed at teenagers who post a video on YouTube…