Cash prizes for 2's

[Cliomorgan]

I’ve never been at a club where this doesn’t happen. Pretty much every handicap competition I play in also pays a prize for lowest gross (to keep the low handicap golfers interested), along with a 2’s sweep.

I don’t see that as mixing handicap and scratch prizes. It’s just an additional prize or sweep as part of a larger competition. There seems to be some deep over thinking going on.

We also pay for lowest gross.

The reason I queried it in the first place is that one of our members questioned whether we were 'following the rules on amateur status' correctly.

Unfortunately we don't have a pro shop so we don't have the option to put onto that account.

If I had my way, we'd just carry on paying out our cash prizes as we always have done (including for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place), 2's and best gross.

 

[Firestormgjc]

I would imagine that a prize of a voucher for a specific shop could constitute “a prize to the value of” and thus be allowed. A roll of fivers on the other hand…

 

[Billysboots]

I would imagine that a prize of a voucher for a specific shop could constitute “a prize to the value of” and thus be allowed. A roll of fivers on the other hand…

And my understanding always has been that this is why clubs pay prizes in vouchers or additions to club cards.

That said, the amount I have won over the years is so pitiful, even cash payments would not have put my amateur status at any risk whatsoever

 

[Steven Rules]

From the R&A and USGA Rules of Amateur Status Guidance Notes

Meaning of Prize Money

For the purposes of Rule 3, prize money may come in many forms, and includes cash, physical or digital currency, cheques, bank deposits, and shares, stocks and bonds. Gift cards and debit cards that may be redeemable for cash or can be used to withdraw cash are also considered prize money.

Prize money does not include vouchers, gift certificates and gift cards that can be exchanged for products and services in retail outlets and/or a golf course or club.

 

[irip]

To the opening post.

Paying out a few quid for any winners/runners up of anything is not going to ever get looked at (nor should it).

You can look at what clubs pay out for certain opens and that is never checked.

I would think 99% of clubs are paying out for something every weekend so relax carry on and enjoy it.

 

[Neilds]

To the opening post.

Paying out a few quid for any winners/runners up of anything is not going to ever get looked at (nor should it).

You can look at what clubs pay out for certain opens and that is never checked.

I would think 99% of clubs are paying out for something every weekend so relax carry on and enjoy it.

Are they paying cash out? Or just vouchers/credit?

 

[irip]

I’m not sure it really matters.
Most clubs will pay out every competition, I would think it’s rare to be more than the limit but if it was would it really matter?

 

[Cliomorgan]

I’m not sure it really matters.
Most clubs will pay out every competition, I would think it’s rare to be more than the limit but if it was would it really matter?

I’m not sure it really matters.
Most clubs will pay out every competition, I would think it’s rare to be more than the limit but if it was would it really matter?

Yes, we pay in cash....usually a maximum of about £50 to any individual each week.

 

[irip]

Yes, we pay in cash....usually a maximum of about £50 to any individual each week.

In that case I wouldn’t worry and carry on as you were( if that’s what you want to do),
It’s not enough money to worry about

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Apart from all the other reasons payout for a 2s sweep I’d suggest that the sort of comp the OP is talking about is a handicap comp that has a best gross prize in addition to nett prizes.

 

[Steven Rules]

I think your delineation of handicap comp vs scratch comp is close to the mark.

Again from the Guidance Notes:

A competition is a "handicap competition" if the Terms of the Competition include any of the following:
• Form of play: Handicaps are used for scoring purposes, such as to calculate handicap (net) scores in stroke play or allocate handicap strokes in match play.
• Prizes: If players can win prizes based on handicap (net) scores or on both handicap (net) and scratch (gross) scores.
• Eligibility: Entry is limited in such a way that it excludes players who have a handicap below a certain threshold (such as only allowing players with handicaps for 5.0 or greater) or the field is broken into divisions or flights through the use of handicaps.

If a competition does not include any of the above Terms of the Competition, it is a "scratch competition". (Updated February 2024)

Addendum. But we still have that key restriction that an amateur playing in a handicap competition is not allowed to accept prize money, but may accept any other prize up to a limit of ....

 

[Cliomorgan]

Apart from all the other reasons payout for a 2s sweep I’d suggest that the sort of comp the OP is talking about is a handicap comp that has a best gross prize in addition to nett prizes.

Correct.

 

[Swango1980]

It might have been said (not read through every comment), but I always assumed that as long as the 2's pot is optional, then paying out for 2's is absolutely fine. It is simply a sweep amongst participating golfers. However, it was not OK to have mandatory entry into the 2's pot.

Our club, it is optional. Not a problem with that.

 

[Skytot]

I’ve just been thinking what I won for this year Captains Weekend. £250 pro shop vouchers. £400 in cash for having a bet on myself . There was one other who back me ( playing partner) and he won £200 cash .

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I’ve just been thinking what I won for this year Captains Weekend. £250 pro shop vouchers. £400 in cash for having a bet on myself . There was one other who back me ( playing partner) and he won £200 cash .

Think most clubs do some sort of comp where there is an auction and player buy themselves etc and could end up winning a good amount of cash

 

[The Squirrel]

Think most clubs do some sort of comp where there is an auction and player buy themselves etc and could end up winning a good amount of cash

Buy yourself? I’ve seen every single golf shot that Squirrel guy has ever hit and after that …. no way am I bidding on his golf game .

 

[nickjdavis]

Think most clubs do some sort of comp where there is an auction and player buy themselves etc and could end up winning a good amount of cash

We used to have a member who's husband was a bookie.

On Club Championship day he used to come in and run a book for us. Not just normal stuff like odds on specific individuals, but fun stuff like the winner has a beard/moustache, or the winner will be wearing a pink shirt etc etc etc. Profits went to the Captains charity.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Are they paying cash out? Or just vouchers/credit?

My club pays winnings (inc. 2s) to our club shop account. I buy occasional bits from it, or if I’ve had a bigger win I might buy a box of balls or glove or two, but most goes on comp entrance fees.