Currently this is only a proposal.Another R&A/USGA press release, this time to modernise amateur status rules
The most interesting bit is probably the bottom part re sponsorship possibilities
It seems okay to me, but the PGA may reject it because it could jeopardise their profession. If you can skip all the PGA stuff and get straight to competition golf and earn a decent wage, which some of these amateurs could do then there may be the bone of contention.
I think they will try to maintain that, my current understanding is you have to be a member.When I was still playing competitive golf, if you wanted to play in the PGA tournaments, you had to be a member. That may have changed now
You don't need to be a member of the PGA to play on the Challenge or European Tours.I think they will try to maintain that, my current understanding is you have to be a member.
Oh every day is a school day.You don't need to be a member of the PGA to play on the Challenge or European Tours.
We have had two members from our Club in recent years go straight from US colleges onto the Tours.
You don't need to be a member of the PGA to play on the Challenge or European Tours.
We have had two members from our Club in recent years go straight from US colleges onto the Tours.
Simply to ensure there is a distinction between an amateur and a professional golferWhy is the competition prize money limited?
Very few professionals whos main source of income is tournament winnings go through the PGA program. Most send a letter to the R and A basically saying 'Dear R and A, Im now a professional'.
The pga program tells you how to coach and how to shop keep.
Why you need to pass a playing test for what they offer is beyond me...
Most of these are about 4 handicaps with ideas way above their station. I've always thought the limit should be 0 for bcoming a PGA pro, not 4.4 which isn't even a good club amateur.
That said, theres some very good PGA pro's who only coach and play in events. The same names clean up and earn a decent crust for playing but they're in the minority.