USGA, R&A plan to modernize rules of amateur status

After modernizing the Rules of Golf at the beginning of the year, the USGA and R&A now plan to update the Rules of Amateur Status.

Less than two months after the NCAA moved closer to allowing student-athlete compensation, the governing bodies announced Monday that they have begun an official review of their amateur-status rules to make them easier to understand and apply.

“One of golf’s greatest benefits is that it can be played by all ages and played for a lifetime,” said Thomas Pagel, senior managing director of governance at the USGA. “It is our goal to ensure that the fundamental concept of what it means to be an amateur golfer is clear and retained to promote fair competition and…