In a break with long-standing tradition amateurs will now be able to accept prize money at golf tournaments; they just cannot keep a cent of it.

Amateur golfers will also now be allowed to be paid “reasonable expenses” and the reinstatement period for professionals wishing to return to being amateurs has been reduced to one year.

These moves are among a number of changes to the Rules of Golf for next year, which included the confirmation of the ban on anchoring the putter, and the removal of disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard in certain instances.

The rule regarding the ball moving after a player addresses it — 18-2b — has also been completely withdrawn, with the onus now shifting away from the player. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move.

A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.

However, it is the rules surrounding the change in amateur status that will affect almost all of the Island’s golfers, not least the one concerning prize money.

At the moment, an amateur is forbidden from playing for prize money, or its equivalent. However, from January 1, under the new rules, an amateur will be able to participate and win prize money, as long as it is subsequently donated to a pre-determined charity.

That charity must be recognised by the governing body.

“This change has been made to reflect the growing number of charitable golf exhibitions organised around the world in aid of worthwhile causes and disaster relief agencies,” the R&A said.

A new rule, 4-3, has been introduced to clarify the paying of expenses, with amateurs now able to receive, “reasonable expenses, not exceeding actual expenses incurred, for non-competition golf-related activities”.

Thomas Pagel, senior director of Rules of Golf at the United States Golf Association, said: “The new amateur code continues to provide appropriate limits and restrictions to encourage the amateur golfer to focus on the challenge of the sport, rather than on any financial gains.

“We also want to make it easier for golfers to return to the amateur sport if they no longer wish to play professionally.”