Rule 9. Reinstatement of Amateur Status
9-1. General
The Committee has the sole authority to reinstate a person to
Amateur Status, prescribe a waiting period necessary for reinstatement
or to deny reinstatement, subject to an appeal as provided
in the Rules.
9-2. Applications for Reinstatement
Each application for reinstatement will be considered on its
merits, with consideration normally being given to the following
principles:
g a. Awaiting Reinstatement
The professional golfer is considered to hold an advantage over
the amateur golfer by reason of having devoted himself to the
game as his profession; other persons infringing the Rules also
Rules of Amateur Status 151
obtain advantages not available to the amateur golfer. They do
not necessarily lose such advantages merely by deciding to cease
infringing the Rules. Therefore, an applicant for reinstatement to
Amateur Status must undergo a period awaiting reinstatement
as prescribed by the Committee.
The period awaiting reinstatement generally starts from the
date of the person’s last breach of the Rules unless the Committee
decides that it starts from either (a) the date when the person’s
last breach became known to the Committee, or (b) such other
date determined by the Committee.
g b. Period Awaiting Reinstatement
(i) Professionalism
Generally, the period awaiting reinstatement is related
to the period the person was in breach of the Rules.
However, no applicant is normally eligible for reinstatement
until he has conducted himself in accordance with
the Rules for a period of at least one year.
It is recommended that the following guidelines on periods
awaiting reinstatement be applied by the Committee:
P eriod of Breach: P eriod Awaiting Reinstatement:
under 5 years 1 year
5 years or more 2 years
However, the period may be extended if the applicant
has played extensively for prize money, regardless of performance.
In all cases, the Committee reserves the right to
extend or to shorten the period awaiting reinstatement.
(ii) Other Breaches of the Rules
A period awaiting reinstatement of one year will normally
be required. However, the period may be extended
if the breach is considered serious.
g c. Number of Reinstatements
A person is not normally eligible to be reinstated more than
twice.
g d. Players of National Prominence
A player of national prominence who has been in breach of the
Rules for more than five years is not normally eligible for reinstatement.
g e. Status While Awaiting Reinstatement
An applicant for reinstatement must comply with these Rules,
as they apply to an amateur golfer, during his period awaiting
reinstatement.
An applicant for reinstatement is not eligible to enter competitions
as an amateur golfer. However, he may enter competitions
and win a prize solely among members of a club where he is a
member, subject to the approval of the club. He must not represent
such club against other clubs unless with the approval of
the clubs in the competition and / or the organizing Committee.
An applicant for reinstatement may enter competitions that are
not limited to amateur golfers, subject to the conditions of competition,
without prejudicing his application, provided he does
so as an applicant for reinstatement. He must waive his right to
any prize money offered in the competition and must not accept
any prize reserved for an amateur golfer (Rule 3-1).
9-3. Procedure for Applications
Each application for reinstatement must be submitted to the
Committee, in accordance with such procedures as may be laid
down and including such information as the Committee may
require.
9-4. Appeals Procedure
See Rule 8-3.
Rule 10. Committee Decision
10-1. Committee’s Decision
The Committee’s decision is final, subject to an Appeal as provided
in Rules 8-3 and 9-4.
