Harper Lin
There are a few ways to declare professional golfer status. The most common actions that make someone a non-amateur are: accepting a prize that exceeds the limit, accepting prize money in a handicap competition, playing as a professional, taking payment for giving instruction, or being employed by a golf club as a professional. An amateur golfer must not identify themselves as a professional golfer, and a professional golfer is defined as someone who plays the game as their profession, works as a professional golfer, enters a golf competition as a professional, or holds membership of a Professional Golfers' Association (PGA). It is important to note that once someone surrenders their amateur status, it can be a lengthy process to get it back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a professional golfer | Someone who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation |
| Who can be considered a "golf pro"? | Anyone who is a golf expert and involved in either teaching or playing golf at a professional level |
| Difference between golf professionals and professional golfers | Golf professionals work in the business or management side of golf or teach or coach amateur or professional golfers. Professional golfers compete in high-profile tournaments |
| How to declare professional status | Write to the governing body declaring your wish to surrender your amateur status, accept prize money, play as a professional, take payment for giving instruction, or be employed by a golf club as a professional |
| How to reinstate amateur status | Apply to the governing body of the sport to have amateur status reinstated. There is typically a waiting period of at least six months |
| Rules of amateur status | Accepting a prize that is not allowed, playing in a golf competition as a professional, accepting payment for giving instruction, holding employment as a golf club or driving range professional, holding membership of an association for professional golfers |
| Maximum prize money for amateurs | £700 or $1000 |
| Education | Study a BSc in Applied Golf Management Studies in partnership with a university |
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What You'll Learn
Declare your wish to surrender amateur status
To declare your wish to surrender amateur status and become a professional golfer, you must write to the governing body. This is a formal process, and there are rules to be aware of before you take this step.
Firstly, you must be aware that once you have surrendered your amateur status, it can be a lengthy process to reinstate it. You must apply to the governing body to have your amateur status reinstated, and each national governing body has the authority to require a waiting period prior to this reinstatement. This waiting period is typically at least six months from the date of your last action as a professional.
Secondly, you must be aware of the rules regarding amateur status. Amateurs must not accept prize money above a certain limit, play in a golf competition as a professional, accept payment for giving instruction, or be employed by a golf club as a professional. Amateurs can, however, accept certain types of employment, such as working as a shop assistant at a golf club, without losing their amateur status.
If you are certain that you wish to surrender your amateur status, you should write to the governing body, declaring your intention to do so. This will involve a formal process of notification, acknowledgement, and confirmation of your new status as a professional golfer.
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Accept prize money
The line between amateur and professional golfers is a fine one, and the rules around accepting prize money as an amateur are strict. An amateur golfer must not identify themselves as a professional golfer, and one of the ways to lose amateur status is to accept prize money over a certain limit.
The USGA works with golf associations to ensure that Committees and amateur golfers are aware of the Rules of Amateur Status and the effect that accepting prizes may have on their status. The Rules of Amateur Status define who is eligible to compete as an amateur golfer and aim to maintain a distinction between amateur and professional golfers. The rules state that an amateur golfer may enter a competition offering prize money, but if they accept a prize above the limit allowed by Rule 3, they will lose their amateur status. The maximum value of a prize an amateur can accept is £700 or $1000. If an amateur accepts a prize above this limit, they forfeit their amateur status and are therefore a professional golfer.
If you wish to declare yourself a professional golfer, you can write to the governing body declaring your wish to surrender your amateur status and accept a prize that exceeds the limit. Once you surrender your amateur status, it can be a lengthy process to get it back again. You must apply to the governing body of the sport to have your amateur status reinstated, and each national governing body has the authority to require a waiting period prior to reinstatement. It is recommended that this waiting period is at least six months from the date of the last action that was not allowed by the Rules.
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$99
Compete as a professional
To compete as a professional golfer, you must meet the criteria of a professional golfer as defined by the USGA and the R&A. According to the USGA, a professional golfer is someone who:
- Plays golf as their profession
- Works as a professional golfer
- Enters a golf competition as a professional
- Holds or retains membership of any Professional Golfers' Association (PGA)
- Holds or retains membership of a Professional Tour limited exclusively to professional golfers
It is important to note that there is a clear distinction between a golf professional and a professional golfer. A golf professional typically works in the business or management side of golf or teaches or coaches amateur or professional golfers. On the other hand, a professional golfer competes in high-profile tournaments like the Masters and the PGA Tour.
To compete as a professional golfer, you must meet the criteria and declare your professional status by writing to the governing body, such as the USGA, and surrendering your amateur status. This step can be done in several ways, including accepting prize money beyond the limit for amateurs, playing as a professional, taking payment for instruction, or being employed by a golf club as a professional. Once amateur status is surrendered, it can be challenging to regain it, and a lengthy reinstatement process may be required.
After declaring professional status, competing in professional golf tournaments becomes an option. Progressing through the ranks of professional golf can be challenging, but success in notable competitions like the Korn Ferry Tour or the Players Championship can solidify a golfer's status and lead to invitations to prestigious events like the Masters and the PGA Championship.
In summary, competing as a professional golfer involves meeting the criteria, declaring professional status, and then seeking opportunities to participate in professional golf tournaments while continuing to develop one's skills and achievements.
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Receive payments for instruction
Receiving payments for instruction is a crucial aspect of declaring professional golf status. Here are some essential points to consider regarding this topic:
Golf Instruction and Amateur Status
It is important to understand the distinction between amateur and professional golf status. The Rules of Amateur Status define who is eligible to compete as an amateur golfer and maintain a clear separation between amateur and professional golf. One of the primary actions that lead to a loss of amateur status is accepting payment or compensation for golf instruction. Therefore, if you wish to declare professional golf status, you can start receiving payments for golf instruction.
Employment as a Golf Instructor
Golf instructors can be employed by schools or other educational institutions, including teaching or coaching students. According to the Rules of Amateur Status, you can receive payment for golf instruction in such positions, provided that the instruction time is less than 50% of your total working hours. This allows you to work as a golf instructor while maintaining your amateur status in competitions.
Professional Golf Instruction Opportunities
To declare yourself a professional golf instructor, you can explore various avenues. You can create a coach profile on platforms like PGA Coach, which provides a marketplace for golfers to connect with coaches. This platform offers tools for scheduling, payments, messaging, and promoting your services. Additionally, you can pursue certifications like ADM certification to enhance your credentials and attract more students.
Salary Expectations
When declaring professional golf status as an instructor, it is essential to consider the salary expectations. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a golf instructor in the United States is $119,765 per year, with top earners making up to $209,995. The typical pay range falls between $90,074 and $161,993 annually. Salary estimates are based on anonymous submissions by golf instructor employees.
Golf Management Studies
If you're interested in both golf instruction and management, you can pursue a BSc in Applied Golf Management Studies, offered in partnership with the University of Birmingham. This degree can provide you with membership as a PGA Professional, subject to status and application. This route allows you to develop your career in golf instruction while also gaining management skills and industry connections.
By considering these points, you can better understand the implications and opportunities associated with receiving payments for golf instruction, which is a crucial step in declaring professional golf status.
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Membership of an association for professionals
To declare yourself a professional golfer, you must contact the governing body of the sport and surrender your amateur status. This can be a lengthy process, and it is difficult to get back amateur status once it has been surrendered.
One of the ways in which a golfer can lose their amateur status is by holding membership of an association for professional golfers, such as the PGA of America. However, an amateur golfer may hold a category of PGA membership, provided that this category does not confer any playing rights and is purely for administrative purposes.
There are several ways to gain PGA membership. One is to study for a BSc in Applied Golf Management Studies at the University of Birmingham, which grants membership as a PGA Professional upon successful completion of the course. Another way is to gain Class A certification, which can be achieved through employment at golf courses and independent institutions or universities. Once qualified as a PGA Member, there is the opportunity for further development and the chance to move from Class A to Class AA status.
It is important to note that there is a distinction between golf professionals and professional golfers. Golf professionals typically work in the business or management side of golf or teach or coach amateur or professional golfers. They are usually considered "golf pros", and most of them are teachers or coaches. On the other hand, professional golfers compete in high-profile tournaments like the Masters and the PGA Tour.
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Frequently asked questions
A golf professional typically works in the business or management side of golf, or teaches or coaches amateur or professional golfers. A professional golfer, on the other hand, plays golf for a living and competes in high-profile tournaments.
To be considered an amateur golfer, you must not be paid or compensated for playing golf. You must also not be a member of any Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) or any other professional tour or association. Amateurs must also adhere to prize rules and limits.
You lose your amateur status if you accept a prize that exceeds the limit, play in a golf competition as a professional, accept payment for giving instruction, or are employed by a golf club as a professional.
