Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section.
9-1. Authority and Principles
Either the Executive Committee or its Amateur Status and Conduct Committee may reinstate a player to amateur status and prescribe the waiting period necessary for reinstatement or may deny reinstatement. In addition, the Amateur Status and Conduct Committee may authorize the staff of the USGA to reinstate a player to amateur status and prescribe the waiting period necessary for reinstatement in situations where the acts contrary to the Definition of an amateur golfer are covered by ample precedent.
Each application for reinstatement shall be decided on its merits, with consideration normally being given to the following principles:
• a. Awaiting Reinstatement
A professional has an advantage over the amateur golfer by reason of having devoted himself to the game as his profession; other persons acting contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status also obtain advantages not available to the amateur. They do not necessarily lose such advantages merely by deciding to cease acting contrary to the Rules.
Therefore, an applicant for reinstatement to amateur status shall undergo a period awaiting reinstatement as prescribed.
The period awaiting reinstatement shall start from the date of the player’s last act contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status unless it is decided that it shall start from the date of the player’s last act known by the player to be contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status.
• b. Period Awaiting Reinstatement
A period awaiting reinstatement of two years normally will be required. However, that period may be extended or shortened. Longer periods will normally be required when applicants have played extensively for prize money, regardless of performance, or have been previously reinstated; shorter periods often will be permitted when applicants have acted contrary to the Rules for one year or less. A probationary period of one year will normally be required when the applicant’s only act contrary to the Rules was to accept a prize of retail value exceeding $750.
• c. Players of National Prominence
Players of national prominence who have acted contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status for more than five years normally will not be eligible for reinstatement.
• d. Status During Period Awaiting Reinstatement
During the period awaiting reinstatement an applicant for reinstatement shall conform with the Definition of an amateur golfer.
He shall not be eligible to enter competitions limited to amateurs except that he may enter competitions solely among members of a club of which he is a member, subject to the approval of the club. He may also, without prejudicing his application, enter, as an applicant for reinstatement, competitions which are not limited to amateurs but shall not accept any prize reserved for an amateur.
9-2. Form of Application
Each application for reinstatement shall be prepared, in duplicate, on forms provided by the USGA.
The application must be filed through a recognized amateur golf association in whose district the applicant resides. The association's recommendation, if any, will be considered. If the applicant is unknown to the association, this should be noted and the application forwarded to the USGA without recommendation.
9-3. Objection by Applicant
A person dissatisfied with a decision made with respect to his application for reinstatement to amateur status may follow the procedures set forth in Rule 1-3.
During the appeal process to either the Amateur Status and Conduct Committee or the Executive Committee, the applicant must abide by the terms of the last decision made.
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