Michael Phelps signs with PING Golf

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-michael-phelps-golf-deal-20130130,0,1803931.story

I didn't realize he was that good now.  I did a quick search but couldn't find anything......does anyone know what kind of handicap he's playing off these days?

I think its a really interesting move for Ping.  He's going to play G25's.  He is a high profile guy and will be in countless pro-ams and the Haney Project.   Pros that play Ping probably play Answer or even i20s, but the vast majority of their sales are for the G series.  Not many OEMs get famous people out there talking about their GI clubs.

This past summer/fall at St. Andrews (Dunhill Links Championship) they said he was playing off 20 but that was several months ago.

As others have said, I think this was a great signing for Ping because a lot of golfers can relate to Phelps as oppose to someone like Westwood. Phelps was part of the On The Range telecast and he has a nice swing and of course the ridiculous amount of athletic ability doesn't hurt either. With a decent short game he will be a single digit fairly quickly especially with Haney if he is not already getting close.

I read that his playing partners often give him 15 strokes.  He said his friends are single digits and scratch.  So I would guess he is 15-20.

Does this mean he's no longer amateur status?     I'm assuming that "signs a deal with Ping" means more than just buying a set of their clubs.

It is a very good advertising ploy. Who wouldn't want the best Olympic athlete of all time using their products?

I guess we should welcome Mr. Phelps as one of the latest to join the ranks of professional golf, so for all those threads here that ask "Can I become a pro?", it is apparent that you can even if you're only a 15 index or so.    Seriously, I don't see how the rules can allow him to be considered an amateur golfer anymore:

6-2. Promotion, Advertising and Sales

An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not use that skill or reputation to obtain payment, compensation, personal benefit or any financial gain, directly or indirectly , for (i) promoting, advertising or selling anything , or (ii) allowing his name or likeness to be used by a third party for the promotion, advertisement or sale of anything .

Exception: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may allow his name or likeness to be used to promote:

(a) his national, regional, state or county golf union or association; or

(b) a recognized charity (or similar good cause); or

(c) subject to the permission of his national golf union or association, any golf competition or other event that is considered to be in the best interests of, or would contribute to the development of, the game.

The amateur golfer must not obtain any payment, compensation or financial gain, directly or indirectly, for allowing his name or likeness to be used in these ways.

Note 1: An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may accept golf equipment from anyone dealing in such equipment provided no advertising is involved.

Does the use of golf as a adjective modify both "skill" and "reputation"?  If so, then perhaps the argument would be that he isn't a "golfer of golf skill" or a "golfer of golf reputation."  His value is in his swimming medals.

I see he is on the website front page.  Are web pages considered advertising then?  Are there any other advertisements that have been put out?  Walking a bit of a tight line I would say.  Makes me think back to Eddie Lowery flying the amateurs around the country for matches who worked at his dealerships.  Cool move but does make you wonder about the rules as it relates to amateurs.

A website is absolutely considered advertising and promotion.

As can be seen in the following decision, it appears that it is allowable for an amateur to enter into a contract but only for time as a professional, i.e. an amateur can enter into an equipment contract but the time period of that contract would begin after turning pro.   An example would be a player signing with Nike while in their senior year in college to play Nike and represent the company once they get out of college and turn pro.

In the decisions, it is specifically indicated that it is not permissible for an amateur to enter into a contract to play certain branded clubs while an amateur.   They can accept free clubs, but cannot contract to do so.

I don't think this is walking any fine line.   It seems pretty clear cut to me.

Decision 2-2/2

Amateur Golfer Enters Contract and/or Agreement with Equipment Manufacturer and Uses Manufacturer’s Equipment While Still Amateur

Q. May an amateur golfer enter into a contract and/or an agreement with an equipment manufacturer to play certain equipment on turning professional and use that manufacturer’s equipment while still an amateur?

A. Yes, provided he is at least 18 years of age and he is not contractually obliged to use that equipment while an amateur golfer.

Normally an amateur golfer would not be able to receive any financial benefit while still an amateur. However, in this particular case, the phrase “except as otherwise provided in the Rules” in Rule 2-2(b)(iii) means that the amateur golfer may receive and play with the manufacturer’s equipment (as permitted Note 1 to Rule 6-2 ), provided the contract and/or agreement with the manufacturer only covers his career as a professional, not as an amateur golfer.

Decision 2-2/1

Contracts and Agreements; Examples of Permissible and Non-Permissible Contracts

An amateur golfer may enter into a contract and/or an agreement with his national golf union or association. In addition, an amateur golfer who is at least 18 years of age may enter into a contract and/or an agreement with a professional agent, sponsor and other third party. Examples of permissible and non-permissible contracts and/or agreements include but are not limited to the following:

.......

Non-permissible

1. A contract and/or an agreement with a professional agent, sponsor or other third party to play in certain amateur or professional events while still an amateur golfer.
2. A contract and/or an agreement with a professional agent, sponsor or other third party to play with certain branded equipment as an amateur golfer . However, an amateur golfer may accept golf equipment from anyone dealing in such equipment (Note 1 to Rule 6-2 ).