Rule 6. Use of Golf Skill or Reputation
6-1. General
Except as provided in the Rules, an amateur golfer of golf skill or
reputation must not use that skill or reputation to promote,
advertise or sell anything or for any financial gain.
6-2. Lending Name or Likeness
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not use that skill
or reputation to obtain payment, compensation, personal benefit
or any financial gain, directly or indirectly, for allowing
his name or likeness to be used for the advertisement or sale of
anything.
Exception: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may allow
his name or likeness to be used to promote:
(a) his national, regional, state or county union or association;
or
(b) (i) any golf competition or other event that is considered
to be in the best interests of, or would contribute
to the development of, the game or (ii) a recognized
charity (or similar good cause).
The amateur golfer must not obtain any payment, compensation
or financial gain, directly or indirectly, for doing so.
Note: An amateur golfer may accept golf equipment from anyone
dealing in such equipment, provided no advertising is involved.
6-3. Personal Appearance
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not use that skill
or reputation to obtain payment, compensation, personal benefit
or any financial gain, directly or indirectly, for a personal
appearance.
Rules 148 of Amateur Status
Exception: An amateur golfer may receive actual expenses in connection
with a personal appearance, provided no golf competition
or exhibition is involved.
6-4. Broadcasting and Writing
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may receive payment,
compensation, personal benefit or any financial gain from
broadcasting or writing, provided:
(a) the broadcasting or writing is part of his primary
occupation or career and golf instruction is not included
(Rule 5); or
(b) the broadcasting or writing is on a part-time basis, the
player is actually the author of the commentary, articles
or books and instruction in playing golf is not included.
Note: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not promote
or advertise anything within the commentary, articles or
books and must not lend his name or likeness to the promotion
or sale of the commentary, article or books (see Rule 6-2).
6-5. Grants and Scholarships
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not accept the
benefits of a grant or scholarship, except one whose terms and
conditions have been approved by the USGA.
Note: The terms and conditions of grants and scholarships provided
by schools that are members of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association, the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
for Women, the National Association for Intercollegiate
Athletics, the National Junior College Athletic Association or
other similar organizations governing athletes at academic institutions
are approved by the USGA.
6-6. Membership
An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not accept
an offer of membership in a golf club or privileges at a golf
course, without full payment for the class of membership or
privilege, if such an offer is made as an inducement to play
for that club or course.
Rules of Amateur Status 149
Rule 7. Other Conduct Incompatible
with Amateurism
7-1. Conduct Detrimental to Amateurism
An amateur golfer must not act in a manner that is detrimental
to the best interests of the amateur game.
7-2. Conduct Contrary to the Purpose and Spirit of
the Rules
An amateur golfer must not take any action, including actions
relating to golf gambling, that is contrary to the purpose and
spirit of the Rules.
(Policy on gambling – see Appendix.)
Rule 8. Procedure for Enforcement
of the Rules
8-1. Decision on a Breach
If a possible breach of the Rules by a person claiming to be
an amateur golfer comes to the attention of the Committee, it
is a matter for the Committee to decide whether a breach has
occurred. Each case will be investigated to the extent deemed
appropriate by the Committee and considered on its merits. The
decision of the Committee is final, subject to an appeal as provided
in these Rules.
8-2. Enforcement
Upon a decision that a person has breached the Rules, the
Committee may declare the Amateur Status of the person forfeited
or require the person to refrain or desist from specified
actions as a condition of retaining his Amateur Status.
The Committee should notify the person and may notify any
interested golf association of any action taken under Rule 8-2.
Rules 150 of Amateur Status
8-3. Appeals Procedure
Any person who considers that any action he is proposing to
take might endanger his Amateur Status may submit particulars
to the staff of the USGA for an advisory opinion. If dissatisfied
with the staff’s advisory opinion, he may, by written
notice to the staff within 30 days after being notified of the
advisory opinion, appeal to the Committee, in which case he
must be given reasonable notice of the Committee’s next meeting
at which the matter may be heard and must be entitled to
present his case in person or in writing. In such cases the staff
must submit to the Committee all information provided by the
player together with staff’s findings and recommendation, and
the Committee must issue a decision on the matter. If dissatisfied
with the Committee’s decision, the player may, by written notice
to the staff within 30 days after being notified of the decision,
appeal to the Executive Committee, in which case he must be
given reasonable notice of the next meeting of the Executive
Committee at which the matter may be heard and must be
entitled to present his case in person or in writing. The decision
of the Executive Committee is final.
