NEW RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR AMATEUR STATUS FROM 2012

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R AND A

Amateur golfers will be allowed to play for unlimited hole-in-one prizes under revisions to the Rules of Amateur Status announced today by The R&A.

Until now, prizes for holing a tee shot in amateur golf have been subject to the same restrictions as other competitions, including longest drive and nearest the hole. However, a Rule change which acknowledges the special nature of a hole-in-one during a round of golf means that restrictions on the prizes offered have been lifted.

The new Rules of Amateur Status, supported by Rolex, also include changes for elite amateur golfers aimed at easing the difficult transition from amateur to professional golfer. It follows a far-reaching four-year review of amateurism in golf, which even questioned the need for a set of rules, and has resulted in the first-ever uniform, worldwide code for Amateur Status.

Announcing the changes effective from January 1, 2012, The R&A's Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman said: “We felt the time was right to carry out a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status. We were conscious that many sports had done away with amateur status rules and we felt that was an appropriate question for us to ask.

“We concluded that it is very important that golf retains its amateur regulations, mainly because of the self-regulating nature of the game, both in terms of the playing rules and handicapping. We felt that uncontrolled financial incentives could place too much pressure on these important features.”

A new ruling (Rule 3-2b) excludes hole-in-one prizes from the general prize limit and allows high value prizes, including cash, to be awarded. This exception, which brings The R A into line with the United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Amateur Status, is specific to prizes for holes-in-one achieved while playing a round of golf and neither separate events nor multiple-entry events qualify.

Suzann Pettersen, Major winner and R and A-Working for Golf Ambassador, said: “I think this is a really good change.  Anyone who makes a hole-in-one knows there is a degree of luck.

“Most professional tournaments offer hole-in-one prizes and it adds some real interest for players and fans. It is great to think that club golfers can now experience that same excitement.”

Those who will notice the biggest changes to the rules are elite amateurs preparing to make the difficult transition to the professional game.

Players will now be able to enter into an agreement with an agent or sponsor as long as they do not receive any financial gain while still an amateur. Rules have also been relaxed on subsistence payments paid through national golf unions.

Rickman explained: “The rules on contracts now reflect the modern game and adopt a much more realistic and common sense approach.

“Similarly, the rules on subsistence expenses should help the support of deserving talent wherever it may emerge across the golfing world.”

Tom Lewis, who recently turned professional after an amateur career that included winning the Silver Medal at this year’s Open Championship as well as being part of the victorious 2011 Walker Cup team, welcomed the changes.

He said: “It is an important change because some players are forced into turning pro early just because of financial difficulties.

“It will make a real difference as they will now be able to turn professional for all the right reasons and also at the right time for them.  It is probably the most important decision they will make in their career.

“All the experience I gained as amateur has helped prepare me for life as a professional and I am pleased that I made the decision to play in the Walker Cup before joining the professional ranks.”

The R and A and USGA have historically had different Rules of Amateur Status and while the differences have reduced over the years, until now there had been two separate codes. As part of the fundamental review, the two governing bodies have developed a modern flexible code that meets the differing demands of golfers across the globe, thereby enabling a single joint code to be established.

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THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO CHANGE FROM 2012

+Players will no longer be penalised if their golf ball is moved by a sudden gust of wind after it has been addressed.

This rule has long been regarded as among the most unfair in golf, with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and American Webb Simpson notable victims during tournaments this year.

Triple major champion Padraig Harrington, who is an R&A ambassador, was delighted with the rule change.

"Every time the wind blows, I am worried that my ball is going to move and I am worried about grounding my putter, distracting me from trying to hole my putt," he said.

"This change will speed up play, there won't be as many suspensions and players won't be getting penalised or disqualified unfairly. It is definitely giving us players a little bit of a break."

+In other changes, players will be permitted to "smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 (improving lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play) is not breached".

+Players will no longer be disqualified from a tournament if they start late but within five minutes of their assigned tee time.

The penalty is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play.