amature v. pro?

[jstnrgrs]

In golf, what's the advantage of being an amature?

[kyro]

You're not chasing Woods or Sorenstam.

Actually. I don't know.

[mason55]

For the younger players it means they can still play golf in the NCAA. I'm sure there's other reasons, but that's one of them.

Oh, plus, you have to play as an amateur until you hit 18 years old.

The one girl, Brittany Lang, was saying that she didn't want to turn pro in case she wanted to play more NCAA golf for the experience. After finishing second she might turn pro, but at least she still has the option. Obviously if you're a great golfer then it's nice to go to school and get an education first, as long as you know you'll be able to win money in a couple years. If you're barely cutting it you might want to go pro as soon as possible, in case you get lucky and win a tourney.

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
For the younger players it means they can still play golf in the NCAA. I'm sure there's other reasons, but that's one of them.

Oh, plus, you have to play as an amateur until you hit 18 years old.

[/ QUOTE ]

The main reason is so that they can still play college and amateur tournaments (like the U.S. Amateur). Also, if you win a major Amateur event, you get into the next years' U.S. open, British Open, and Masters, but ONLY if you remain an amateur until after you play those events.

The PGA and LPGA tours have rules not allowing anyone under 18 to play as pros, but they do make special exceptions on a case-by-case basis. I'm not sure about other tours.

[HDPM]

Way back in the day being an amateur meant you could enter the clubhouse. Pros were blue collar guys and if there was a tournament were expected to change shoes in the parking lot. They were not allowed in with the polite company. Things have changed. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif (Actually things got better in Walter Hagen's era, so it has been a while. But amateurism was more highly regarded in the past.)

Golf has always had relatively strict rules separating amateurs from pros. It hasn't gotten as bad as as other sports, but golf has loosened up, to its detriment IMO. The advantages/disadvantages have been outlined. The main prohibition is not playing for prize money. IMO the USGA has been way too soft on amateurism and needs to tighten things up.

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
IMO the USGA has been way too soft on amateurism and needs to tighten things up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea yea, we know your opinion on this subject quite well. /images/graemlins/smile.gif