As part of sweeping changes to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status beginning in 2006, amateur golfers will now be allowed to accept a prize of any value for a hole-in-one while playing golf and not lose their amateur status.
This is not the only significant change the USGA is making, as the USGA Rules of Golf and USGA Handicapping System are also affected beginning in 2006.
Amateur Status Hole-in-one prizes - The key things to know is it applies to a hole-in-one made "while playing golf," which includes a partial round or during a competition such as a scramble. Hole-in-one contests that afford a player more than one opportunity to score a hole-in-one ($5 for three balls, for example) or conducted other than at a golf course (simulator or driving range) remain taboo. It also does not apply to closest-to-hole contests.
It is the USGA's opinion that the scoring of a hole-on-one is primarily a shot more related to luck rather than skill, thus warranting this new exception.
Amateur expense reimbursements - For the first time, amateur golfers of all ages will be able to accept reasonable expenses to compete in individual competition. Previously, junior golfers and amateurs competing in team competition were able to accept assistance from outside their families. However, if the amount of reimbursement exceeds $300, the expenses must be administered by the player's state or regional golf association in an effort to avoid abuses. Amateurs may not receive expense reimbursements from professional agents.
The USGA is of the opinion this new provision will help to "level the playing field" and afford an opportunity for amateurs with limited resources to receive assistance to participate in competitions.
Rules of Golf Yardage Measuring Devices - While the USGA and R&A make changes to the Rules of Golf on a four-year rolling cycle, 111 changes to the Decisions on the Rules of Golf manual, which is published every two years, will take effect in 2006. A new Decision (14-3/0.5) will now allow a Committee to permit the use of distance-measuring devices by Local Rule.
This change applies to devices that measure distance only and not other conditions (wind, humidity, etc.). Remember, in order for distance measuring devices to be permissible in a competition, the Committee must invoke the Local Rule.
Handicapping Internet Score Posting - Golfers will have the ability, beginning in 2006, to post all scores for handicap purposes via the Internet, provided their club's Handicap Committee adopts that policy. Previously, only occasional scores returned via the Internet could be accepted for handicap purposes. Section 5-2 of the new USGA Handicap System Manual will address this change and what the USGA sees as a way of facilitating more scores entered into a golfer's record when traditional methods of scores posting are not available or convenient upon the conclusion of a round.
Regardless of one's opinion about the many changes the USGA has slated for 2006, I can testify from first-hand experience that the members of the USGA Executive Committee and staff went to great lengths to gather input from individual golfers and golf associations before acting. In the past, the USGA has been harpooned for not listening to its constituency before making changes. That argument no longer has merit and I for one appreciate their thoughtful efforts to better the game.
Additional information about these and other changes to USGA services and programs may be found on-line at www.usga.org or by contacting the PNGA or your state or provincial amateur golf association.
