USGA policy on gambling
HELLO golfing friends. It's a boring non-golfing day for me so I decided to open my little book entitled "Rules of Golf" from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. You know that book, don't you? You should, it is known as the "golf bible." I've been reading about the USGA policy on gambling.
"An amateur golfer is one who plays the game as a non-remunerative and non-profit-making sport. When gambling motives are introduced, problems can arise which threaten the integrity of the game."
You all remember the `integrity' of the game, right? Golf is not just for gambling. It should not be a non-profit-making sport. If you keep winning, share your profit or, intentionally lose the next time you play. Do this, and you will retain your amateur status. Hehe!
"The distinction between playing for prize money, which violates the Rules of Amateur Status, and gambling, which DOES NOT, is essential to the Rules of Amateur Status."
Thank goodness this is specified in the rulebook! Aren't you all happy? Gambling is allowed for amateurs! Make sure this `gambling' of yours does not violate the Rules of Amateur Status. Read on...
"The USGA does not object to informal wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when the players in general know each other, participation in the wagering is optional and is limited to the players, the sole source of all money won by the players is advanced by the players on themselves or their own teams and the amount of money involved is such that the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment."
Ahhhh. Nice to know. We bet for fun, right? There are a few out there who have made a business out of playing golf. The 'crocs' (sandbaggers) are out there retaining their high handicaps, asking for more strokes, winning money all the time. Cheaters!
Bets are usually made to make the game more enjoyable. That is, of course, if you're winning. It's always nice to win money regardless of how much it is provided your opponent pays you. It is definitely not cool if you lose often. It's not losing money that bothers me, it's the teasing that comes with it!
I like to win, I play to win. But when playing with girl-buddies, forget it. I am often teased or distracted when I'm about to putt or when I'm about to drive. They're not as serious as me. They are concentrating more on talking about the latest rumors in town rather than the wind direction, the pressure of the putt, the slope of the green--rathen than golf!
We can all have a peace of mind now, knowing the USGA does not object to informal wagering. Just make sure your wife does not object as well. Does she even know that you bet when playing golf?
"Golf is an easy game... it's just hard to play. You hit down to make the ball go up. You swing left and the ball goes right. The lowest score wins. And on top of that, the winner buys the drinks."
Happy Golfing!
