In line with inflation and an increase in current competition fees, amateur golfers will now be able to accept prizes up to the value of £500 following changes to the Rules of Amateur Status that come into effect on January 1, 2004.
The previous limit was £300 for any event, though many of may have inadvertently broken the rules by accepting the odd modern driver, set of clubs or even holiday as reward for our golf skills. Apparently the value of trophies - and some in crystal or silver are worth a lot more than £300 - does not come into the equation.
Under the latest revisions to the rules there is also a reduction in the time players must wait for reinstatement to the amateur ranks.
Professionals of long standing - many of whom have failed to remain competitive on Senior and European Tours - who wish to revert to amateur status will now face only a two-year wait before reinstatement rather than three.
And the minimum period before reinstatement for amateurs who have breached the rules - presumably those who have accepted hole-in-one prizes or received individual sponsorship - has been reduced from two years to one year.
Announcing the changes, R&A Rules Secretary David Rickman said: "Periodically we increase the amateur's prize limit to keep it at an appropriate level and in this revision we have also taken the opportunity to reduce the waiting time for professionals who wish to return to the amateur game."
What's your view on prize limits for amateur status? And should amateurs be exiled for accepting cars for holes-in-one? Tell us on the forum.
