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 Expenses
An amateur golfer may receive reasonable expenses, not
exceeding the actual expenses incurred, to play in a golf
competition or exhibition as follows:
g a. Family Support
An amateur golfer may receive expenses from a member of his
family or a legal guardian.
g b. Junior Golfers
A junior golfer may receive expenses when competing in a competition
limited exclusively to junior golfers.
Note: The acceptance of expenses may violate the eligibility
rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
g c. Individual Events
An amateur golfer may receive expenses when competing in
individual events, provided he complies with the following
provisions:
(i) Where the competition is to take place in the United
States, the expenses must be approved by and paid
through the player’s state or regional golf association.
(ii) Where the competition is to take place in another country,
the expenses must be approved by both the USGA
and the national union or association in the country
in which the competition is to be staged. The expenses
must be paid through the player’s state or regional golf
association, or, subject to the approval of the USGA, by
the body controlling golf in the territory he is visiting.
The USGA may limit the receipt of expenses to a specific number
of competitive days in any one calendar year, and an amateur
Rules 144 of Amateur Status
Rules of Amateur Status 145
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 2-1) or any
other similar source as may be determined by the USGA.
Note 1: The acceptance of expenses may violate the eligibility
rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Note 2: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not
promote or advertise the source of any expenses received (see
Rule 6-2).
g d. Team Events
An amateur golfer, may receive expenses when he is representing:
• his country,
• his state or regional golf 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 visiting.
g 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.
g 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 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:
(i) Where the competition is to take place in the United
States, the annual approval of the USGA must first be
obtained in advance by the sponsor; and
(ii) Where the competition is to take place in more than
one country or involves golfers from another country,
the approval of the USGA and the national union of the
other country must first be obtained in advance by the
sponsor. The application for this approval should be sent
to the national union in the country where the competition
commences when it does not commence in the
United States.
Rule 5. Instruction
5-1. General
Except as provided in the Rules, an amateur golfer must not
receive payment or compensation, directly or indirectly, for giving
instruction in playing golf.
5-2. Where Payment Permitted
g a. Schools, Colleges, Camps, etc.
An amateur golfer who is (i) an employee of an educational institution
or system or (ii) a counselor at a camp or other similar
organized program may receive payment or compensation for
golf instruction to students in the institution, system or camp,
provided that the total time devoted to golf instruction comprises
less than 50 percent of the time spent in the performance of all
duties as such an employee or counselor.
g b. Approved Programs
An amateur golfer may receive expenses, payment or compensation
for giving golf instruction as part of a program that has been
approved in advance by the USGA.
Rules 146 of Amateur Status
Rules of Amateur Status 147
5-3. Instruction in Writing
An amateur golfer may receive payment or compensation for
golf instruction in writing, provided his ability or reputation as a
golfer was not a major factor in his employment or in the commission
or sale of his work.
