July 2010 Editorial Options

[Mark Harman]

TIME FOR USGA TO RETHINK AMATEUR STATUS RULES

Is it just me, or does anyone else think it's past time that the USGA revises and modernizes its Rules of Amateur Status?

After all, just what is the purpose of making someone who is a golf teacher compete as a professional? This might come as a shock to some of you, but if I could play as an amateur again, that would be my preference. Yet, as the Rules of Amateur Status currently read (and probably will be for the rest of my life), anyone who takes compensation for giving lessons must forfeit amateur status...for PLAYING PURPOSES!

Now, in this day and age, this makes absolutely no sense. Maybe years ago it did. The USGA's position was (and is, for some reason) that a golf professional who teaches has an "inherent advantage" over amateurs. I've got news for the USGA. This "inherent advantage" disappeared a long time ago. Today's high school and college golfers spend virtually every waking hour in the summer practicing and playing, sharpening their games.

And what do golf teachers do? Spend their days giving lessons, watching others hit golf balls. Most full-time teaching professionals are lucky to get out 2-3 times a week to play, along with a few abbreviated practice sessions thrown in.

My solution: make playing as a professional or amateur an entity all its own. In other words, you choose to either play as a professional or as an amateur, without regard to anything else. Doesn't this make the most sense? I submit it does.

[Dave Shaver]

Mark, couldn't agree with you more...Makes perfect sense...Maybe you should propose to USGA?

[Mark Harman]

Mark, couldn't agree with you more...Makes perfect sense...Maybe you should propose to USGA?

I actually wrote this to Donna Mummert of the USGA, who sent me the original letter stating membership in the USGTF does not automatically forfeit amateur status. I got no reply. I might find some more names and send an e-mail and see what happens.

[Joseph Janosky]

Now, in this day and age, this makes absolutely no sense. Maybe years ago it did. The USGA's position was (and is, for some reason) that a golf professional who teaches has an "inherent advantage" over amateurs. I've got news for the USGA. This "inherent advantage" disappeared a long time ago. Today's high school and college golfers spend virtually every waking hour in the summer practicing and playing, sharpening their games.

And what do golf teachers do? Spend their days giving lessons, watching others hit golf balls. Most full-time teaching professionals are lucky to get out 2-3 times a week to play, along with a few abbreviated practice sessions thrown in.

That really does not make a whole lot of sense. Does this mean that PGA club professionals who manage the operations of the golf course all day, give lessons, and work around 50+ hours a week and rarely get time to "play" can revert to thier amatuer status? Basically by that statement you are saying that people whithout jobs, who can practice and play all the time and sharpen thier skills are the only ones who cannot be amatuers. Bottom line is you have a license, you CHOSE to have this license and in my personal opinion that makes you a PROFESSIONAL, I can see if a friend just paid you to give a lesson once or twice and YOU DID NOT have a license not forfieting anything, but having this license does seperate you from the average golfer.

[woody hoover]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think it's past time that the USGA revises and modernizes its Rules of Amateur Status?

After all, just what is the purpose of making someone who is a golf teacher compete as a professional? This might come as a shock to some of you, but if I could play as an amateur again, that would be my preference. Yet, as the Rules of Amateur Status currently read (and probably will be for the rest of my life), anyone who takes compensation for giving lessons must forfeit amateur status...for PLAYING PURPOSES!

Now, in this day and age, this makes absolutely no sense. Maybe years ago it did. The USGA's position was (and is, for some reason) that a golf professional who teaches has an "inherent advantage" over amateurs. I've got news for the USGA. This "inherent advantage" disappeared a long time ago. Today's high school and college golfers spend virtually every waking hour in the summer practicing and playing, sharpening their games.

And what do golf teachers do? Spend their days giving lessons, watching others hit golf balls. Most full-time teaching professionals are lucky to get out 2-3 times a week to play, along with a few abbreviated practice sessions thrown in.

My solution: make playing as a professional or amateur an entity all its own. In other words, you choose to either play as a professional or as an amateur, without regard to anything else. Doesn't this make the most sense? I submit it does.

Mark,

This would be a great topic for disscussion at our S.E. Regional tourney this month.

[Mark Harman]

That really does not make a whole lot of sense. Does this mean that PGA club professionals who manage the operations of the golf course all day, give lessons, and work around 50+ hours a week and rarely get time to "play" can revert to thier amatuer status? Basically by that statement you are saying that people whithout jobs, who can practice and play all the time and sharpen thier skills are the only ones who cannot be amatuers. Bottom line is you have a license, you CHOSE to have this license and in my personal opinion that makes you a PROFESSIONAL, I can see if a friend just paid you to give a lesson once or twice and YOU DID NOT have a license not forfieting anything, but having this license does seperate you from the average golfer.

By definition, the PGA is the "Professional Golfers" Association. Maybe I should have clarified by saying that, in my opinion, professional playing status should be if you choose to play for money OR publicly identify yourself as a "professional golfer" - which members of the PGA do. Having said that, there is a big difference between a professional golfer and a golf professional.