Golf is a worldwide game played by players of both genders, covering all skill levels and ages. Most people know that professional golfers get paid to play golf. Pros enter tournaments, often as part of a specific golf tour, to make their living. Amateur golfers may also play on certain tours and enter various tournaments --- including some that professional golfers play in for money --- but must follow specific guidelines to ensure they maintain amateur status.
Amateur
For a golfer to be considered an amateur, he must play the sport for no prize money at any time. Amateur tournaments don't feature cash prizes, and an amateur golfer also can't be paid for teaching golf. Any prizes awarded in an amateur golf event are limited to a retail value of $1,000. The reason amateur golf rules are so stringent is to avoid abuses that can result from financial incentive.
Tournament Expenses
Since 2006, amateur golfers have been allowed to receive money for expenses for individual tournaments without losing amateur status, according to the United States Golf Association, the sport's governing body in the U.S. and the organization that jointly administers golf's official rules with The R & A of Great Britain. One condition of this allowance is that the reimbursement be approved and paid for through the golfer's regional or state golf association. Examples of acceptable expenses include round-trip travel, meals and refreshments, accommodations, caddie and cart fees, practice rounds and the tournament entry fee. The expense money must come as a reimbursement after the event, and the golfer must submit disclosure paperwork to qualify. The source wishing to pay the expenses must also submit disclosure paperwork.
Gambling
While accepting prize money in the form of cash payments or prizes for playing golf is strictly prohibited, the USGA isn't opposed to informal wagering among the golfers themselves, according to the organization's website. Individual players or teams who wish to make bets with one another during a round may do so without fear of repercussions. Wagering is optional and is limited to just the players.
Qualifying
An amateur golfer can attempt to qualify for a professional golf tour without losing his amateur status, as long as he waives his right to any prize money. This rule is specific to qualifying schools and not to qualifying tournaments for specific professional events. As an example, an amateur can go to qualifying school to try to get on the PGA Tour, but can't attempt to qualify as a professional for a specific tournament, according to USGA rules.
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