Professional golf

In the sport of golf, the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose their amateur status. A golfer who has lost their amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated; a professional may not play in amateur tournaments unless the Committee is notified, acknowledges and confirms the participation. It is very difficult for a professional to regain their amateur status; simply agreeing not to take payment for a particular tournament is not enough. A player must apply to the governing body of the sport to have amateur status reinstated.

The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America) is an American organization of golf professionals. Founded in 1916 and currently headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida , the PGA of America is made up of 29,000 men and women golf professional members. The PGA announced on December 4, 2018 that the organization plans to relocate to a planned 600 arce mixed-use development in Frisco, Texas. The PGA of America's undertaking is to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.