1-1 Professionalism
1-2 Competing for Cash Prizes
1-3 Instruction
1-4 Prizes and Rewards
1-5 Lending Name or Likeness
1-6 Personal Appearance
1-7 Broadcasting and Writing
1-8 Expenses
1-9 Scholarships
1-10 Naming of Members
1-11 Conduct Detrimental to Golf


RULE 2: Procedure for Expulsion and Reinstatement

2-1 Breach  Decision

2-2 Expulsion
2-3 Reinstatement
Request Forms for Areas Under the Jurisdiction of the Royal Golf Federation of Spain

Definitions
The Definition of an Amateur Golfer provides that an amateur golfer is one who plays the game as a non-remunerative or non- profit-making sport. When money matters are introduced, problems can arise which threaten the integrity of the game.
The Royal Golf Federation of Spain does not object to participation in gambling among individual golfers or teams of golfers when participation in the gambling is limited to the players, the players may only bet on themselves or their teams, the sole source of all money won by players is advanced by the players and the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment.
The distinction between playing for prize and playing for money is essential to the validity of the Rules of Amateur Status. Participation in gambling among individual golfers and participation in gambling among teams constitutes golf gambling and not playing for prize money.
On the other hand, organized amateur events open to the general golfing public and designed and promoted to create cash prizes are not approved by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain. Golfers participating in such events without irrevocably waiving their right to cash prizes are deemed by the USGA to be playing for prize money.
The USGA is opposed to and urges its Member Courses, all golf associations and all other sponsors of golf competitions to prohibit types of gambling such as: (1) Calcuttas, (2) other auction pools, (3) pari-mutuels and (4) any other forms of gambling organized for general participation or permitting participants to bet on someone other than themselves or their teams. Special attention is called to Rule 1-11 on conduct detrimental to the game, under which players may lose their Amateur status. Any club that allows competitions in which excessive gambling is allowed or that offers illegal prizes, is responsible for penalizing the player and the Royal Golf Federation of Spain shall be able to place heavy sanctions on the club or the person for repeatedly and consciously ignoring this policy.

Governing Body
The Royal Golf Association of Spain is the Governing Body for Amateur Status throughout Spain. Any person who considers that any action he is proposing to take might endanger his amateur status should submit particulars to the Royal Golf Association of Spain for consideration .
RULE 1 : Forfeiture of Amateur Status at Any Age
The following are examples of acts at any age which are contrary to the Definition of an Amateur Golfer and cause forfeiture of amateur status :
1-1. Professionalism
a. Receiving payment or compensation for serving as a professional golfer or identifying oneself as a professional golfer .
b. Taking any action for the purpose of becoming a professional golfer , except unsuccessfully applying for the position of Assistant to a Professional Player.
Note 1: Such actions include applying for a professional’s position; filing an application to a school or competition conducted to qualify persons to play as professionals in tournaments; directly or indirectly receiving services or payment from a professional agent or sponsor, commercial or otherwise; directly or indirectly entering into a written or oral agreement with a professional agent or sponsor, commercial or otherwise; agreement to accept payment or compensation for allowing one's name or likeness as a skilled golfer to be used for any commercial purpose; and applying for, holding or retaining membership in any organization of professional golfers .
Note 2 : Receiving payment or compensation as an assistant or aid in a shop does not in and of itself imply a breach of the Rules, unless among the obligations is to play golf or give instruction for golf.
1-2 . Competing for Cash Prize. Competing in a test, tournament or exhibition to obtain a cash prize or the equivalent thereof.
1-3. Instruction
Receiving payment or compensation, directly or indirectly, for giving instruction in playing golf, either orally, in writing, by pictures or by other demonstrations, to either individuals or groups .
Exceptions:
1. Golf instruction may be given by an employee of an educational institution or system to students of the institution or system and by camp counselors to those in their charge, provided that the total time devoted to golf instruction during a year comprises less than 50 percent of the time spent during the year in the performance of all duties as such employee or counselor .
2. Payment or compensation may be accepted for instruction in writing, provided one’s ability or reputation as a golfer was not a major factor in one’s employment or in the commission or sale of one’s work .
1-4. Prizes, Testimonials and Gifts

a) Acceptance of a prize or testimonial of the following character or of a retail value greater than:
In Europe:
Prizes of two or more rounds: £300 or the equivalent of $500 USA
Other Countries
Prizes of two rounds or less: £200 $350 USA
or a lesser amount, or none if so decided by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, or

b) To accept prizes of a testimonial value that surpass £300 in Great Britain and Ireland, or  $500 USA, or the equivalent thereof in other countries, or any lesser amount if so decided by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, or
c) For a Junior player, according to the age established for this category by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, who takes part in a competition limited exclusively to Junior, to accept prizes or awards which in Great Britain and Ireland surpass the retail value of £100 or the equivalent thereof; in other countries at a retail value of $200 USA or the equivalent thereof, or a lesser amount, or none, if so decided by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, or
d) To convert a prize or award into money, or
e) To accept gratuities with relation to a golf competition.

Exceptions:
1. Prizes of only symbolic value , provided that their symbolic value is distinguished using a viewable, permanent mark.
2. More than one testimonial award may be accepted from different donors even though their total retail value exceeds £300  or $500, provided they are not presented so as to evade the £300  or $500 value limit for a single award .
Note 1 : Competitions covered. The limits referred to in Clauses a) and c) must be applied to the total amount of prizes or vouchers received by one sole person at any competitions or series of competitions, at one sole tournament or exhibition, including hole-in-one prizes or other events in which the determining factor is golf skill.
Note 2 : "Value or retail value" is the price that said goods may acquire at any shop or store. The giver shall be responsible for demonstrating said value.
Note 3: Purpose of vouchers. Vouchers may only be awarded or redeemed by the Committee of a competition for acquisition of items at a professional or other store, which may be defined by the Committee. They may not be used to pay travel or hotel expenses, bar tabs or to sign up at a club.

Note 4: Maximum prize value per person at an individual competition.

It is recommended that the total value of scratch prizes or any handicap category not exceed twice the retail value of the maximum permitted under Rule 1-4 a) and c) in an 18-hole competition, three times the amount for a 36-hole competition, four times the amount for a 54-hole competition and five times the amount for a 72-hole competition.
Note 5: Testimonial Awards.

1-5. Lending Name or Likeness

Because of golf skill or golf reputation, receiving or contracting to receive payment, compensation or personal benefit, directly or indirectly, for allowing one’s name or likeness as a golfer to be used in any way for the advertisement or sale of anything, whether or not used in or appertaining to golf, except as a golf author or broadcaster as permitted by Rule 1-7 .
Note: A player may accept golf equipment from anyone who performs commerce with said items, provided advertising does not take place.
1-6. Personal Appearance

Because of golf skill or golf reputation, receiving payment or compensation, directly or indirectly, for a personal appearance, except that reasonable expenses actually incurred may be received if no golf competition or exhibition is involved .
1-7. Broadcasting and Writing
Because of golf skill or golf reputation, receiving payment or compensation, directly or indirectly, for broadcasting concerning golf, a golf event or golf events, writing golf articles or books, or allowing one’s name to be advertised or published as the author of golf articles or books of which one actually is not the author .
Exceptions:
1. Broadcasting or writing as part of one’s primary occupation or career, provided instruction in playing golf is not included except as permitted in Rule 1-3 ).
2. Part-time broadcasting or writing, provided

(c) the payment or compensation does not have the purpose or effect, directly or indirectly, of financing participation in a golf competition or golf competitions .
1-8. Expenses
Accepting expenses, in money or otherwise, to engage in a golf competition or exhibition .
Exceptions:
A player may receive a reasonable amount of expenses as follows :
1. From a member of the player’s family or legal guardian ; or
2. As a player in any amateur golf competition or exhibition limited exclusively to player s that have not reached 18 years of age as of the holding of the competition; or
3. As a representative of the his/her Country, Province, Club or similar entity in team competition or team training camps, both in Spain and abroad, or as a representative of his/her Country, by participating in a National Championship that is held abroad and the precedes or immediately follows an international team competition, provided that these expenses are paid by the organization that he/she represents or by the institution that controls golf in the country he/she is visiting; or
4. As a player selected by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, or by a Territorial Body or a Club to take part in a National or Regional Championship in Spain or abroad, provided that:
a) The selected player has not reached the age that the Body controlling golf in the country where he is selected determines.

b) His expenses will be paid only by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain or the Territorial Body responsible for the region in which the selection was made, or with the approval of the Body that performed the selection, whereby golf is controlled in the territory he visits. The expenses shall be limited to a specific number of days of competition within the yearly calendar, as determined by the Golf Body of the Country that performed the selection. It is understood that the expenses include reasonable travel time and practice days need in accordance with the competition.
c) Any competition that shall take place abroad, in which case approval must be given by the National Golf Federation that organizes it, and if the entity making the selection is not the National Federation of the organizing country, it must give prior authorization.

d) If the competition is to take place in the country itself, and the selection is performed by a Territorial Body or Club, approval must be given by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain or the Territorial Body of the region where the competition is to be held. (Note: the term "Territorial Body" refers to the Provinces, States, Autonomous Regions, or the corresponding Federation or Delegation); or
5. As a guest player invited to take part in golf competitions for reasons unrelated to golf skill, but rather due to being a famous person, for business,etc.; or

6. As a participant in an exhibition in favor of some recognized charity work, provided that the exhibition is not held in conjunction with another golf competition; or
7. As a player in a sponsored competition, or an individual or team handicap competition, in which the expenses of the player are paid by the sponsor, provided that the competition has been approved as follows:
a) When the competition is to be held in Spain, it will be necessary to have prior approval from the Royal Golf Federation of Spain.

b) When the competition is to be held in Spain or abroad, the prior approval of the Royal Golf Federation of Spain and the Governing Body of the foreign country are required. The request for this approval shall be sent to the Governing Body of the country in which the competition shall begin, in our case this being the Royal Golf Federation of Spain.

c) If the competition is to be held abroad, prior authorization from two or more Governing Bodies shall be required. In such an instance, the request for approval must be sent to the Governing Bodies of the countries whose players are taking part in the competition.
Note 1: Business expenses. It is permitted to play at a golf competition while on a business trip with expenses paid, provided that the portion of the expenses corresponding to golf are paid by the player and not by the company. The business in question must be real and substantial and not merely an excuse to legitimate the expenses, when in fact the main reason for the trip is the golf competition.
Note 2: Private Transportation. Accepting the private transportation provided or arranged directly or indirectly by a sponsor at a competition or golf exhibition as an enticement for this player to take part therein shall be considered accepting expenses in accordance with Rule 1-8.

1-9. Scholarships

Due to their skill or reputation as a golfer, to accept the benefits of a scholarship or other similar aid to continue studying at a center of learning, unless, due to its characteristics and conditions, said scholarships or aid are approved by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain.
1-10. Naming of Members

Due to skill or reputation as a golfer, to accept being a member or accepting certain privileges at a Golf Club without making the full payment corresponding to the title or privilege that is received to play by that Club.

1-11 . Conduct Detrimental to Golf
Any behavior, including activities related to playing the game for money, that is considered detrimental to the best interests of the game.
RULES 2 : Procedure for Expulsion and Readmittance
2-1. Breach Decision

If a possible breach of the Rules by a person claiming to be an Amateur golfer comes to its attention, it is a matter for the Royal Golf Federation of Spain to decide whether a breach has occurred. Each case will be investigated to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee and considered on its merits.The decision of the Committee shall be final.
2-2. Expulsion
Upon a decision that a person has breached the Rules ,the Royal Golf Federation of Spain may declare the Amateur Status of the person forfeited or require the person to refrain or desist from specified actions as a condition of retaining his Amateur Status.

2-3. Readmittance

When considering such a request, Royal Golf Federation of Spain must normally base its decision on the following principles:
a. Proof 

The Professional is considered to hold an advantage over the Amateur golfer by reason of having devoted himself to the game as his profession;other persons infringing the Rules also obtain advantages not available to the Amateur golfer .They do not necessarily lose such advantages merely by deciding to cease infringing the Rules. Therefore,an applicant for reinstatement to Amateur Status must undergo a period awaiting reinstatement as prescribed by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain. The period awaiting reinstatement starts from the date of the person’s last breach of the Rules unless the Federation decides that it starts from the date when the person ’s last breach became known to the Federation.

b. Period Awaiting Reinstatement

c. One Sole Reinstatement
A person may not be reinstated more than once .
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. However, he may take part in competitions that only the members of the Club to which he belongs are participating in, provided said Club authorizes this, but he may not represent his Club against other Clubs.
Application Forms for Areas Under the Jurisdiction of the Royal Golf Federation of Spain
a) Each reinstatement application shall be submitted to the Royal Golf Federation of Spain using the form approved for this purpose to play as an Amateur, through the appropriate Territorial body or Golf Professionals' Association, with the corresponding report. The application must include all of the information that the Royal Golf Federation of Spain periodically requests and be signed and certified by the applicant.

b) Any application submitted in territories under the jurisdiction of the Royal Golf Federation of Spain and which the corresponding Territorial boy deems dubious or not compliant with the above rules may be subject to a final decision by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain.

USGA POLICY ON GAMBLING

The USGA is opposed to and urges its Member Courses, all golf associations and all other sponsors of golf competitions to prohibit types of gambling such as: (1) Calcuttas, (2) other auction pools, (3) pari-mutuels and (4) any other forms of gambling organized for general participation or permitting participants to bet on someone other than themselves or their teams.
Special attention is called to Rule 1-11 on conduct detrimental to the game, under which players may lose their Amateur status. Any club that allows competitions in which excessive gambling is allowed or that offers illegal prizes, is responsible for penalizing the player and the Royal Golf Federation of Spain shall be able to place heavy sanctions on the club or the person for repeatedly and consciously ignoring this policy.