Rules of Golf

Prize Rules in Golf

The R&A

10 Dec 25

2 mins

Golf has a well-established tradition of competitions that are limited to amateur golfers. As golf is largely a self-regulating game, the Rules of Amateur Status help to protect the integrity of the game by minimising pressure on the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Handicapping™. One of the ways the Rules do this is by limiting the value of prizes an amateur golfer is allowed to accept and by limiting who may win cash prizes. Competition organisers are not limited in the value or type of prizes they can offer, so amateur golfers need to be aware of what prizes they can and cannot accept and it all depends on whether it is a handicap or scratch competition.

Handicap competitions

An amateur playing in a handicap competition is not allowed to accept prize money of any amount, but may accept any other prize up to a limit of £700 or US$1000 in value per competition, unless the national governing body in the country has set a lower limit.

Scratch competitions

An amateur playing in a scratch competition is allowed to accept any prize, including prize money, up to a limit of £700 or US$1000 in value per competition, unless the national governing body in the country has set a lower limit. If an amateur golfer accepts a prize that does not meet these limits, this may impact the player’s eligibility to play in amateur competitions as a result of losing their amateur status.

Rules of Golf