| Amateur golfers, to define them in a | | | | include accepting any endorsements from |
| nutshell, would be among the more complex | | | | commercial groups, allowing names or |
| breeds of athlete because of the general | | | | likenesses to appear for commercial purposes, |
| indistinctness of what they are attempting to | | | | or entering into professional agreements with |
| do. While many onlookers may not grasp the | | | | sponsors or agents. |
| notion of what it means to pursue this | | | | |
| passion through the amateur golf tour | | | | Finally, an amateur player is not allowed to |
| circuit, others will knowingly look on with | | | | apply for membership to any organization for |
| an air of familiarity as to the notion of | | | | professional players. Of course, there are |
| working up in the world of golf to become, | | | | exceptions for every rule, and amateur golf |
| one day, a pro. | | | | is no exception. An amateur player is |
| | | | allowed to apply for an assistant |
| Amateur golf tours are a great way for one to | | | | professional player. They are also allowed |
| develop the skill of golf. First, it's | | | | to enter and play in a tournament or |
| important to note that there is an actual | | | | competition that will lead to play in a |
| definition of an amateur player according to | | | | professional competition. The only |
| the United States Golf Association. An | | | | difference in play between them and a |
| amateur player reaches that status first by | | | | professional player is that an amateur player |
| reaching what is known as golf skill. Golf | | | | must forfeit all rights to any prize monies |
| skill is assessed by a player's success at a | | | | that they could potentially win. |
| competitive level. The level of competition | | | | |
| can be local or national; the important | | | | There are many more rules and exceptions |
| aspect is that the player is successful | | | | regarding amateur golf play. Basically, the |
| competitively. Once a player has success in | | | | important thing to note is that to become an |
| competitions and is recognized as having golf | | | | amateur golfer is a simple task. It is only |
| skill, this is known as golf reputation. | | | | for those who love the game of golf and are |
| Again, a reputation can only be gained | | | | serious in devoting their time to playing the |
| through actual playing and recognition of | | | | game and improving their game. Becoming an |
| golf skill. Simply being associated with the | | | | amateur golfer isn't for those who would like |
| game of golf, administering tournaments or | | | | to create a career in the field of golf. |
| being an instructor does not gain a player | | | | With the rules of payment and expenses in |
| reputation or skill. | | | | place such as they are, it would be nearly |
| | | | impossible to create a career in amateur |
| After achieving a level of reputable golf | | | | golf. Becoming an amateur golfer is more for |
| skill and establishing a status, an amateur | | | | a player that has already played |
| may become an amateur player. This is a | | | | competitively in a business or school league |
| player that does not yet play for money and | | | | and is looking for play on the next level. |
| does not accept money for teaching the sport | | | | Whatever the reason a player has for wanting |
| of golf. An amateur player may not claim to | | | | to become an amateur golfer, it would be |
| be a pro golfer, either, and may not engage | | | | highly recommended that they become familiar |
| in any action that would credit them in the | | | | with the rules and regulations set up by the |
| same fashion as a professional player. | | | | USGA before they take that next step. |
| Breaking this code of ethics would also | | | | |