Ready to start? Begin your USGA reinstatement application • Review the Rules of Amateur Status

Start Here: Own Your Story

Before you click “Submit,” take inventory. The application will ask what you did that crossed the line from amateur to non-amateur and when it happened. Be honest and specific—dates, roles, competitions, memberships. That clarity helps the USGA decide whether you’re eligible for immediate reinstatement or a waiting period.

Tell the USGA your story (start the application)

The Waiting Period: It’s Part of the Game

Most golfers will wait at least six months from their last professional action—last pro start, last day employed as a pro, last paid lesson—before they can be reinstated. Exceptional playing success can extend that wait. The national governing body has discretion, and Rule 5 lays out the factors they consider.

• The clock starts from your last prohibited act (the most recent one if there were multiple).
• You’re not automatically reinstated when the date arrives—you’ll get a final check-in, then an official notice if approved.

Read Rule 5: Reinstatement (official guidance)

While You Wait: What You Can (and Can’t) Do

Competitions

• ❌ No amateur-only events until reinstated.
• ✅ Mixed events (amateurs + non-amateurs) are generally fine if the Committee allows it and you do not play as a professional.
• ✅ Club events can be okay with Committee approval.

Prizes

• In scratch competitions, you can accept any prize (including money) up to $1000 per competition.
• In handicap competitions, you may accept non-cash prizes up to $1000, but no prize money.
• Hole-in-one prizes are exempt if the shot is at least 50 yards, or if outside a tee-to-hole competition.

Double-check Rule 3: Prizes before you enter

The Application: Exactly What It Asks

Be ready for these sections (summarized from the live application flow):

1. Contact Info — name, DOB, address, phone, email, current occupation and employer.
2. Previous Reinstatement — if you’ve applied before, what happened and when.
3. References — two non-family contacts who can vouch for your application.
4. Competitions & Prizes — tours and events you played, approximate starts, results, prize money accepted, dates.
5. Instruction — whether you accepted compensation for teaching swing mechanics (with descriptions and dates).
6. Membership — any professional association memberships (PGA, LPGA, etc.) with dates.
7. Employment — work as a club or range professional (details, dates).
8. Other Info — anything else that helps the Committee understand your timeline and intent.
9. Allied Golf Association — select your state or regional golf association.
10. Certification — you’ll confirm that everything is complete and truthful.

CTA: Open the USGA reinstatement application • Call: 908-326-1025 • Email: amstat@usga.org

What About USGA Championships?

• USGA Open Championships: You may apply as an applicant. If reinstated before qualifying, you’ll play as an amateur. Notify the USGA if your status changes.
• USGA Amateur Championships: You must be reinstated before your qualifier to be eligible.

CTA: View USGA Championships

Nuance Corner: Things People Get Wrong

• “I’ll be reinstated on the date, right?” — Not automatically. You must confirm compliance and receive official notice.
• “Instruction doesn’t count if I wasn’t paid cash.” — Compensation includes benefits like free access or gear.
• “I can win as much as I want if it’s shop credit.” — Prize-value limits still apply.
• “If I had a long pro career, the wait is the same.” — Prior success can lengthen the wait.
• “You only get one shot at reinstatement.” — Not true. Multiple reinstatements are allowed; later ones may require longer waiting periods.

Bottom Line

Reinstatement is your bridge back to the golf you love—weekend medals, club championships, USGA qualifiers. Be precise, be patient, and play by the Rules during your wait. When the approval lands, you’re back in the game.

Your next step: Start your reinstatement now

Quick FAQ

How long is the waiting period?

Typically six months from your last prohibited act. It may be longer based on prior success.

Can I play tournaments while I wait?

No amateur-only events. Mixed fields are okay if the Committee allows and you don't play as a professional.

What if I previously taught for pay?

Paid instruction counts as a prohibited act unless through approved programs, written/online content, or in certain school/camp jobs with limited instruction time.