How do the Rules of Amateur Status apply for “Skins” Games?
top If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is not optional (i.e., the players are essentially required to pay an entry fee to be used to award cash prizes in the skins game), the players who play in the competition would likely be considered to be playing for prize money and thus in violation of Rule 3-1 of the Rules of Amateur Status. If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is optional (i.e., there is an optional cash side pool in which players could contribute if they wished in order to be eligible for the “skins” prizes), involves a nominal amount of money, and is not advertised, the arrangement would appear to constitute gambling, which is not a violation of the Rules.
A. If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is not optional (i.e., the players are essentially required to pay an entry fee to be used to award cash prizes in the skins game), the players who play in the competition would likely be considered to be playing for prize money and thus in violation of Rule 3-1 of the Rules of Amateur Status. If participation in the “skins” portion of the competition is optional (i.e., there is an optional cash side pool in which players could contribute if they wished in order to be eligible for the “skins” prizes), involves a nominal amount of money, and is not advertised, the arrangement would appear to constitute gambling, which is not a violation of the Rules.
