AMATEUR GOLFERS all over the world will be allowed to play for unlimited hole-in-one prizes under revisions to the sport’s rules announced yesterday.

Previously the rules allowed for a prize worth no more than €575 and any amateur accepting something of greater value – Daily Mailgolf writer Derek Lawrenson, for instance, won a Lamborghini – had to relinquish their amateur status.

The Royal and Ancient Club have now decided that “the special nature of a hole-in-one during a round of golf means that restrictions on the prizes offered have been lifted”.

The new Rules of Amateur Status also include changes for elite amateur golfers aimed at easing the move from amateur to professional golfer.

It follows a far-reaching four-year review of amateurism in golf, which even questioned the need for a set of rules and has resulted in the first-ever uniform worldwide code for amateur status.

Announcing the changes, effective from January 1st next year, the RA’s director of rules David Rickman said: “We felt the time was right to carry out a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status.

“We were conscious that many sports had done away with amateur status rules and we felt that was an appropriate question for us to ask.

“We concluded that it is very important that golf retains its amateur regulations, mainly because of the self-regulating nature of the game both in terms of the playing rules and handicapping.

“We felt that uncontrolled financial incentives could place too much pressure on these important features.”

Excluding hole-in-one prizes from the general prize limit and allowing high-value prizes, including cash, to be awarded brings the RA into line with the United States Golf Association.

Norway’s world number two Suzann Pettersen, an RA ambassador like Pádraig Harrington, said: “I think this is a really good change. Anyone who makes a hole-in-one knows there is a degree of luck.

“Most professional tournaments offer hole-in-one prizes and it adds some real interest for players and fans. It is great to think that club golfers can now experience that same excitement.”

Under the new rules aimed at amateurs thinking of a professional career, players will now be able to enter into an agreement with an agent or sponsor as long as they do not receive any financial gain while still an amateur.

Rules have also been relaxed on subsistence payments paid through national golf unions.

Rickman explained: “The rules on contracts now reflect the modern game . . . similarly the rules on subsistence expenses should help the support of deserving talent wherever it may emerge across the golfing world.”

England’s Tom Lewis, winner of just his third professional event in Portugal two weeks ago only three months after being leading amateur at the British Open, commented: “It is an important change because some players are forced into turning pro early just because of financial difficulties.

“It will make a real difference as they will now be able to turn professional for all the right reasons and also at the right time for them.”