I assume by "regular" pros you mean your average country club teaching pro? It actually depends if hes just hired by the club to teach or if hes a certified PGA pro. I believe that the certified PGA pro has to drop his handicap and amateur status (correct me if Im wrong), but I have a good friend whos in the apprentice program (the PGAs training program for teaching pros), carries a 0.4 handicap and annoys me every year at the club championship by pulling a 3 under out of his ass
. So I guess you dont lose your amateur status until you finish the training program.