Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(j)

                                 ASHWORTH, INC.
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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                                                                           Page
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1.    Purpose.................................................................1

2.    Number of Shares........................................................1

3.    Administration of the ISOP..............................................1

4.    Eligible Employees......................................................1

5.    Size and Frequency of Grants............................................2

6.    Option Price............................................................2

7.    Method of Exercise......................................................2

8.    Acceleration of Exercise of Instruments.................................2

9.    Option Period and Terms of Exercise of Options..........................3

10.   Transferability of Options..............................................3

11.   Termination of Employment...............................................3

12.   Option Rights Upon Retirement or Disability.............................4

13.   Death of Optionee ......................................................4

14.   Holding Period..........................................................4

15.   Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock................................4

16.   Amendment and Termination of the ISOP...................................4

17.   Requirements of Law.....................................................5

18.   Reports to Shareholders.................................................5

19.   Effective Date of the ISOP..............................................5

20.   Definitions.............................................................5
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                                 ASHWORTH, INC.
                AMENDED AND RESTATED INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                NOVEMBER 1, 1996

     1.   PURPOSE. It is the purpose of this amended and restated incentive
stock option plan (the ISOP) to promote the interests of Ashworth, Inc. (the
Company) and its stockholders by attracting, retaining and stimulating the
performance of selected Employees, giving such Employees the opportunity to
acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and an increased personal interest
in its continued success and progress, to reinforce corporate long-term profit
goals, and to provide competitive levels of long-term compensation for such
Employees.

     2.   NUMBER OF SHARES. Options may be granted by the Company from time to
time under the ISOP to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of the
authorized but unissued Common Stock of the Company, which shares shall be
reserved for the purposes set forth herein (the Shares). If any such Options
shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full,
the unpurchased Shares subject to such expired or terminated Options shall be
available for purposes of the ISOP.

     3.   ADMINISTRATION OF THE ISOP. The ISOP shall be administered by the
Company's Board of Directors or by a Committee which the Board may designate to
administer the ISOP (hereinafter referred to as the Committee which shall refer
to either the Board of Directors or its designated committee). The following
provisions shall apply to the administration of the ISOP by the Committee:

          a. The Committee may make such rules and regulations for the conduct
of its business as it may determine.

          b. The Committee shall have full authority, subject to the express
provisions of the ISOP, to interpret the ISOP, to provide, modify and rescind
rules and regulations relating to it, to determine the terms and provisions of
each Option and the form of the instrument evidencing an Option and to make all
other determinations and perform such actions as the Committee deems necessary
or advisable to administer the ISOP. In addition, the Committee shall have full
authority, subject to the express provisions of the ISOP, to determine eligible
Employees, the time or date upon which an Option shall be granted, and the
number of Shares offered in the Option. In making such determinations, the
Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the
Employee, his present and potential contributions to the success of the
Company's business, and such other facts the Committee in its discretion shall
deem applicable to carry out the purposes of the ISOP.

          c. The Committee may, at its discretion, delegate its ministerial
duties to an officer or employee or to a subcommittee composed of officers or
employees of the Company, but may not delegate its authority to apply or
interpret the provisions of this ISOP or to make determinations specified in
paragraph (b) of this Section of the ISOP.

          d. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or
determination made in good faith with respect to the ISOP or any Option granted
hereunder.

     4.   ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. Participation in the ISOP shall be limited to
full-time Employees of the Company as hereinafter defined. Selection of the
Participants will be by the Committee.

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     5.   SIZE AND FREQUENCY OF GRANTS. The number of Shares offered in an
Option granted under the ISOP shall be determined in the Committee's discretion,
recognizing the relative contribution of each Participant to the Company's goals
and objectives. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares
with respect to which Options granted are exercisable for the first time by an
Employee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds the
limit imposed by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue code, such Options shall
not qualify as Incentive Stock Options. This provision shall be applied by
taking options into account in the order in which they are granted.

     6.   OPTION PRICE. The Committee shall, in good faith, determine the Fair
Market Value of the Shares at the date an Option is granted. The Purchase Price
of the Shares under such Option shall then be determined by the Committee, but
in no event shall it be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value, or, in
the case of a 10% Stockholder, less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value.
For purposes of this ISOP, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by
its terms, will never lapse.

     7.   METHOD OF EXERCISE. An Option may be exercised by written notice to
the Company at its principal office by the person entitled to exercise the
Option, full payment of the Purchase Price of the Shares, and complying with any
other conditions stated in the ISOP, in the Option or in rules and regulations
of the Committee. Each Option shall be exercisable in one or more installments
during its term, and the right to exercise may be cumulative as determined by
the Committee. No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common
Stock. The purchase price of any shares purchased shall be paid at the time of
exercise of the Option either (i) in cash, (ii) by certified or cashier's check,
(iii) with shares of Common Stock of the Company, if permitted by the Committee,
or (iv) by any other means which the Committee, in its discretion, permits after
determination that such means are consistent with all applicable laws and
regulations. If any portion of the purchase price at the time of exercise is
paid in shares of Common Stock of the Company (a "stock-for-stock exercise"),
those shares shall be valued as of the date of payment at their fair market
value as determined by the Committee on the basis of such factors as it deems
appropriate; provided that if at the time the determination of fair market value
is made those shares are admitted to trading on a national securities exchange
for which sale prices are regularly reported, the fair market value of those
shares shall not be less than the last trade price of a 100-share lot of, the
Common Stock on that exchange on the most recent trading day preceding the date
on which the determination of fair market value is made. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, the term "national securities exchange" shall include the
Nasdaq National Market System. In the event of a stock-for-stock exercise, the
Company shall be obligated to issue only the net number of shares of Common
Stock the Optionee or Transferee would obtain pursuant to a stock-for-stock
exercise. Upon exercise of an Option, the Company shall provide the Optionee
with a written statement containing the following information: (1) the name,
address and employer identification number of the Company, (2) the dates the
Option was granted and the Shares are issued pursuant to the exercise, (3) the
Fair Market Value of the Shares at the exercise date, (4) the number of Shares
issued, and (5) the Option Price.

     8.   ACCELERATION OF EXERCISE OF INSTALLMENTS. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Company or its shareholders enter into an agreement of merger
or consolidation with another corporation, any Option granted pursuant to the
ISOP shall become immediately exercisable with respect to the full number of
shares subject to that Option during the period commencing as of the date of the
agreement of merger or consolidation and ending when the agreement of merger or
consolidation is consummated or the Option is otherwise terminated in accordance
with its provisions or the provisions of the ISOP, whichever occurs first;
provided that the foregoing provision of this Section shall not apply on account
of any agreement of merger or consolidation where the shareholders of the
Company immediately before the consummation of the transaction will own

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at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled
to vote of the surviving entity (whether the Company or some other entity)
immediately after the consummation of the transaction. In the event the
transaction contemplated by the agreement referred to in this Section is not
consummated, but rather is terminated, canceled or expires, the Options granted
pursuant to the ISOP shall thereafter be treated as if that agreement had never
been entered into.

     9.   OPTION PERIOD AND TERMS OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Options shall be
granted within 10 years from the date the ISOP is adopted by the Board of
Directors. The period during which the Option may be exercised (the Option
Period) shall commence upon the date of grant of the Option, and shall continue
until the expiration of the term set forth in the Option, or until such Option
shall be terminated as hereinafter provided in Sections 10 and 11, whichever is
earlier, but in no event shall such period exceed 10 years from the date of
grant of the Option or, in the case of a 10% Stockholder, 5 years from the date
of grant of the Option.

     10.  TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. An Incentive Stock Option may not be
transferred otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
is exercisable, during Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee or Optionee's
guardian or legal representative. Other Options granted pursuant to the ISOP may
be transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution, pursuant to
a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, or
pursuant to the Committee authorization described in this Section. The Committee
may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the Options (including
outstanding Options) to be on terms which permit transfer by such Optionee to
(a) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Optionee (Immediate Family
Members), (b) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate
Family Members, or (c) a partnership or limited liability company in which such
Immediate Family Members are the only partners or members, provided that (1) the
stock option agreement pursuant to which such Options are granted must be
approved by the Committee, and must expressly provide for transferability in a
manner consistent with this Plan, and (2) subsequent transfers of transferred
options shall be prohibited except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. The Committee, in its discretion, may permit transfers to other
persons or entities. Following transfer, any such options shall continue to be
subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to
transfer.

     11.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the event of the termination of
employment of an Optionee other than by reason of resignation, disability, or
death, such Optionee may exercise an Option granted under the ISOP, to the
extent that the Optionee was entitled to do so at the time of termination, only
within thirty (30) days after the date of termination of employment unless the
Committee, in its discretion, allows the Option to remain exercisable for a
longer period. In the event the Committee allows the Option to remain
exercisable for a longer period, the Committee shall have the discretion to
specify the terms and conditions to which the Option shall be subject, which
terms and conditions may be the same as or a modification of the original terms
and conditions of the Option. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate
the exercisability of part or all of the Option of the terminated Optionee, and
if it does so, the Optionee may also exercise the accelerated portion of the
Option during said thirty-day or extended period. Options exercised more than
three months after termination of employment (12 months in the case of a
Disabled Employee) shall not qualify as Incentive Stock Options for purposes of
Section 422 of the Code. This requirement is waived in the case of the death of
the Optionee. In no event shall an Option be exercisable after expiration of the
Option Period.

     For purposes of this ISOP, the Optionee's employment will be deemed to be
terminated on the date indicated in the notice of termination. Nothing in the
ISOP or in the instrument evidencing an Option

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shall confer upon any Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the
Company or in any way interfere with the right of the Company to terminate the
employment of the Optionee at any time, with or without cause.

     12.  OPTION RIGHTS UPON RETIREMENT OR DISABILITY. If an Optionee is
terminated because of retirement or disability, the Options shall be fully
exercisable, at any time within twelve months after the date of such
termination, unless either the Option or this Plan otherwise provides for
earlier termination.

     13.  DEATH OF OPTIONEE. If an Optionee dies during the Employment Period,
the personal representative of the estate of the Optionee, or any person or
persons who shall have acquired the Option directly from the Optionee by bequest
or inheritance, may exercise the decedent's Option at any time during the period
of one year following the Optionee's death, whether or not the Optionee was
entitled to exercise such Option at the time of his death. In no event may any
person possess any right to exercise any Option granted under the ISOP after the
expiration of the Option Period.

     14.  HOLDING PERIOD. If an Optionee disposes of Shares received upon
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the date the
Incentive Stock Option is granted or within one year from the date the Shares
are acquired by exercise of the Incentive Stock Option, the gain, if any,
realized on the sale of such Shares shall be treated as ordinary income for tax
purposes and the Company shall be allowed a deduction at that time. This holding
requirement is waived in the case of the death of the Optionee. If an insolvent
individual holds the Shares pursuant to this exercise of an Option, neither the
transfer of such Shares to a trustee, receiver, or other similar fiduciary in
any proceeding under Title 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or any other similar
insolvency proceeding nor any other transfer of such Shares for the benefit of
creditors in such proceeding shall constitute a disposition of such Shares for
the purposes of this Section.

     15.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK. In the event the Company
shall effect a split of its Common Stock or shall declare and pay a dividend
with Shares of its Common Stock, or in the event the outstanding Common Stock
shall be combined into a smaller number of Shares, the maximum number of Shares
reserved under the ISOP shall be increased or decreased proportionately. Unless
the Committee shall otherwise determine generally or as to one or more Options,
in the event that before delivery by the Company of all of the Shares in respect
of which any Option has been granted under the ISOP, the Company shall have
effected such split, dividend or combination, such Shares shall be increased or
decreased proportionately, and the purchase price per share shall be increased
or decreased proportionately so that the aggregate purchase price for all of the
Shares shall remain the same as immediately prior to such split, dividend or
combination.

     In the event of a reclassification of the Common Stock not covered by the
foregoing, or in the event of a liquidation or reorganization, including a
merger, consolidation or sale of assets, the Board of Directors of the Company
shall make such adjustments, if any, as it may deem appropriate in the number
and Purchase Price, of the Shares covered by the unexercised portions of Options
theretofore granted under the ISOP. The provisions of this Section shall only be
applicable if, and only to the extent that, the application thereof does not
conflict with any valid governmental statute, regulation or rule.

     16.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE ISOP. Subject to the right of the
Board of Directors of the Company to terminate the ISOP prior thereto, the ISOP
shall be terminated the earlier of the expiration of ten years from the date of
adoption of the ISOP by the Board of Directors of the Company, the expiration of
the terms of all Options, or the exercise, cancellation or termination of all
Options. The Board of Directors

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may alter or amend the ISOP but may not, without the approval of the
stockholders of the Company, make any alterations or amendment thereof which
operates:

          a. To increase the total number of Shares which may be granted under
the ISOP (other than as provided in Section 13 hereof),

          b. To extend the term of the ISOP or the maximum option period
provided in Section 8 hereof,

          c. To decrease the minimum option price provided in Section 6 hereof,
or

          d. To materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the ISOP.

          No termination or amendment of the ISOP shall adversely affect the
Rights of an Optionee under his Option, except with the consent of such
Optionee.

     17.  REQUIREMENTS OF LAW. The granting of Options and the issuance of the
Shares upon the exercise of Options shall be subject to all applicable laws,
rules and regulations, and to such approval by governmental agencies as may be
required.

     18.  REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Company shall furnish to each Optionee
and Transferee a copy of the annual report sent to the Company's shareholders.
Upon written request, the Company shall furnish to each Optionee or Transferee a
copy of its most recent Form 10-K Annual Report and each quarterly report to
shareholders issued since the end of the Company's most recent fiscal year.

     19.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ISOP. The ISOP became effective upon adoption by
the Board of Directors on March 15, 1993, and was subsequently approved on June
15, 1993, by the holders of at least a majority of the Shares of Common Stock
present and voting on the proposal at a meeting of stockholders of the Company
and the total number of Shares voted on the approval of the ISOP represents over
50 percent of the total number of Shares entitled to vote at the meeting. The
ISOP has been amended from time to time by the Board of Directors.

     20.  DEFINITIONS. As used herein the following terms have the following
meanings:

          BOARD OF DIRECTORS means the Board of Directors of Ashworth, Inc.

          COMMITTEE means the Board of Directors or committee which the Board of
Directors may designate to administer the ISOP.

          COMMON STOCK means the $.001 par value Common Stock of the Company.

          COMPANY means Ashworth, Inc., or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate
of the Company, as defined below.

          PARENT means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken
chain of corporations ending with the Company if, at the time of the granting of
the Option, each of such corporations other than

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the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

          SUBSIDIARY means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of
granting of the Option, each of the corporations other than the last corporation
in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such
chain.

          AFFILIATE means any corporation that directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, another corporation, where "control" (including the terms
"controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, direct or
indirect, of the power to cause the direction of the management and policies of
the corporation, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract
or otherwise.

          DISABLED EMPLOYEE means an Employee who is disabled within the meaning
of Section 105(d)(4) of the Code.

          EMPLOYEE means any regular salaried officer or key employee of the
Company and certain other persons in connection with offers of employment.

          EMPLOYMENT PERIOD means the period beginning on the date of granting
of an Option and ending on the day three months before the date of exercise of
the Option, or, in the case of a Disabled Employee ending on the day one year
before the date of exercise of the Option.

          FAIR MARKET VALUE of the Shares shall be the value of the Shares as
determined by the Committee as of the date an Option is granted, provided that
if at the time the determination of fair market value is made those shares are
admitted to trading on a national securities exchange for which sale prices are
regularly reported, the fair market value of those shares shall not be less than
the last trade price of a 100-share lot of the Common Stock on the most recent
trading day preceding the date on which the determination of the fair market
value is made. For purposes of this section, the term "national securities
exchange" shall include the Nasdaq National Market System.

          INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION means an Option granted to an Employee during
any calendar year which meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

          ISOP means the Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan of the
Company, as set forth herein.

          OPTION means an option granted by the Company to an Employee for any
reason connected with his employment to purchase Shares of Common Stock of the
Company.

          OPTIONEE means any Employee who has been granted an Option under the
ISOP.

          PARTICIPANT means any Employee who is awarded benefits under the ISOP.

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<PAGE>   9

          SHARES means the Shares of Common Stock of the Company which are the
subject of an Option and which have been reserved from authorized but unissued
Common Stock of the Company for the purposes set forth in the ISOP.

          10% STOCKHOLDER means an Employee who, at the time the Option is
granted, owns stock of the Company possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.

          TRANSFEREE means the transferee of an option transferred according to
this Plan.

                                       -7-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10(m)

                         AGREEMENT RE: CHANGE IN CONTROL

     This AGREEMENT RE: CHANGE IN CONTROL (this "Agreement") is dated as of
November 1, 2000 and is entered into by and between Randall L. Herrel, Sr.
("Executive") and Ashworth, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                   BACKGROUND

     The Company believes that because of its position in the industry,
financial resources and historical operating results there is a possibility that
the Company may become the subject of a Change in Control (as defined below),
either now or at some time in the future.

     The Company believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its
stockholders to foster Executive's objectivity in making decisions with respect
to any pending or threatened Change in Control of the Company and to assure that
the Company will have the continued dedication and availability of Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change in Control.
The Company believes that these goals can best be accomplished by alleviating
certain of the risks and uncertainties with regard to Executive's financial and
professional security that would be created by a pending or threatened Change in
Control and that inevitably would distract Executive and could impair his
ability to objectively perform his duties for and on behalf of the Company.
Accordingly, the Company believes that it is appropriate and in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders to provide to Executive
compensation arrangements upon a Change in Control that lessen Executive's
financial risks and uncertainties and that are reasonably competitive with those
of other corporations.

     With these and other considerations in mind, the Compensation Committee of
the Company has authorized the Company to enter into this Agreement with the
Executive to provide the protections set forth herein for Executive's financial
security following a Change in Control.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and
valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby
agreed as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

     1.     Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective from the date
first written above and, subject to the provisions of Section 4, shall extend to
(and thereupon automatically terminate) one (1) day after Executive's
termination of employment with the Company for any reason. No termination of
this Agreement shall limit, alter or otherwise affect Executive's rights
hereunder with respect to a Change in Control which has occurred prior to such
termination, including without limitation Executive's right to receive the
various benefits hereunder.

     2.     Purpose of Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide
that, in the event of a "Change in Control," Executive may become entitled to
receive certain additional benefits, as described herein, in the event of his
termination under specified circumstances.

<PAGE>   2

     3.     Change in Control. As used in this Agreement, the phrase "Change in
Control" shall mean:

          (i)     Except as provided by subparagraph (iii) hereof, the
acquisition (other than from the Company) by any person, entity or "group",
within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (excluding, for this purpose, the
Company or its subsidiaries, or any executive benefit plan of the Company or its
subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the
Company), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of forty percent (40%) or more of either the then
outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the Company's
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors; or

          (ii)    Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
of Directors of the Company (as of the date hereof the "Incumbent Board") cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of
the Company, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date
hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders,
is or was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or nomination of an
individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or
threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the
Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated
under the Exchange Act) shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as
though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or

          (iii)     Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation with any other person, entity or
corporation, other than

               (1) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
     securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing
     to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
     voting securities of another entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the
     combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such other
     entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or

               (2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
     recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person
     acquires forty percent (40%) or more of the combined voting power of the
     Company's then outstanding voting securities; or

          (iv)     Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or other
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

     4.     Effect of a Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control,
Sections 6 through 11 of this Agreement shall become applicable to Executive.
These Sections shall continue to remain applicable until the third anniversary
of the date upon which the Change in Control occurs. On such third anniversary
date, and provided that the employment of Executive

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has not been terminated on account of a Qualifying Termination (as defined in
Section 5 below), this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect.

     5.     Qualifying Termination. If following, or within ninety (90) days
prior to, a Change in Control Executive's employment with the Company and its
affiliated companies is terminated, such termination shall be conclusively
considered a "Qualifying Termination" unless:

          (a)    Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the
     Company and its affiliated companies. Executive, however, shall not be
     considered to have voluntarily terminated his employment with the Company
     and its affiliated companies if, following, or within ninety (90) days
     prior to, the Change in Control, Executive's overall compensation is
     reduced or adversely modified in any material respect or Executive's
     authority or duties are materially changed, and subsequent to such
     reduction, modification or change Executive elects to terminate his
     employment with the Company and its affiliated companies. For such
     purposes, Executive's authority or duties shall conclusively be considered
     to have been "materially changed" if, without Executive's express and
     voluntary written consent, there is any substantial diminution or adverse
     modification in Executive's title, status, overall position,
     responsibilities, reporting relationship, general working environment
     (including without limitation secretarial and staff support, offices, and
     frequency and mode of travel), or if, without Executive's express and
     voluntary written consent, Executive's job location is transferred to a
     site more than fifty (50) miles away from his place of employment ninety
     (90) days prior to the Change in Control. In this regard as well,
     Executive's authority and duties shall conclusively be considered to have
     been "materially changed" if, without Executive's express and voluntary
     written consent, Executive no longer holds the same title or no longer has
     the same authority and responsibilities or no longer has the same reporting
     responsibilities, in each case with respect and as to a publicly held
     parent company which is not controlled by another entity or person.

          (b)     The termination is on account of Executive's death or
     Disability. For such purposes, "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental
     incapacity as a result of which Executive becomes unable to continue the
     performance of his responsibilities for the Company and its affiliated
     companies and which, at least three (3) months after its commencement, is
     determined to be total and permanent by a physician agreed to by the
     Company and Executive, or in the event of Executive's inability to
     designate a physician, Executive's legal representative. In the absence of
     agreement between the Company and Executive, each party shall nominate a
     qualified physician and the two physicians so nominated shall select a
     third physician who shall make the determination as to Disability.

          (c)     Executive is involuntarily terminated for "Cause." For this
     purpose, "Cause" shall be limited to only three types of events:

               (1) the willful and deliberate refusal of Executive to comply
          with a lawful, written instruction of the Board of Directors, which
          refusal is not remedied by Executive within a reasonable period of
          time after his receipt of

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<PAGE>   4

          written notice from the Company identifying the refusal, so long as
          the instruction is consistent with the scope and responsibilities of
          Executive's position prior to the Change in Control;

               (2) an act or acts of personal dishonesty by Executive which were
          intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of Executive at
          the expense of the Company; or

               (3) Executives conviction of any felony involving an act of moral
          turpitude.

     6.    Severance Payment. If Executive's employment is terminated as a
result of a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall pay Executive within
thirty (30) days after the Qualifying Termination a cash lump sum equal to two
(2) times Executive's Compensation (the "Severance Payment").

          (a)    For purposes of this Agreement, Executive's "Compensation"
     shall equal the sum of (i) Executive's highest annual salary rate with the
     Company within the three year period ending on the date of Executive's
     Qualifying Termination, plus (ii) a "Bonus Increment." The Bonus Increment
     shall equal the annualized average of all bonuses and incentive
     compensation payments paid to Executive during the two (2) year period
     immediately before the date of Executive's Qualifying Termination under all
     of the Company's bonus and incentive compensation plans or arrangements.

          (b)     In lieu of a cash lump sum, Executive may, in his sole
     discretion, elect to receive the Severance Payment provided by this Section
     in equal annual installments over three (3) years. Such installments shall
     be paid to Executive on each anniversary of the date of Executive's
     Qualifying Termination, beginning with the first such anniversary and
     continuing on each such anniversary thereafter until fully paid. Such
     election to receive the Severance Payment in installments may be made
     and/or revoked by Executive at any time prior to the occurrence of a Change
     in Control by written notice to the Board of Directors of the Company. Upon
     the occurrence of a Change in Control, any such election to receive the
     Severance Payment in installments that has been made and not revoked prior
     to the Change in Control shall be irrevocable and binding on both the
     Company and Executive. In the event that at the time of a Change in Control
     there is not in effect an election by Executive to receive the Severance
     Payment in installments, such Severance Payment shall be paid to Executive
     in a single cash lump sum as provided in subparagraph (a) above.

          (c)    The Severance Payment hereunder is in lieu of any severance
     payment that Executive might otherwise be entitled to from the Company in
     the event of a Change in Control under the Company's applicable severance
     pay policies, if any, or under any other oral or written agreement;
     provided, however, that Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive
     the severance pay benefits under the Company's applicable policies, if any,
     or under another written agreement if and to the extent Executive's
     termination is not a Qualifying Termination after, or within ninety (90)
     days prior to, a Change in Control.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

     7.    Additional Benefits.

          (a)    In the event of a Qualifying Termination, any and all unvested
     stock options of Executive shall immediately become fully vested and
     exercisable.

          (b)     In the event of a Qualifying Termination, Executive shall be
     entitled to continue to participate in the following executive benefit
     programs which had been made available to Executive (including his family)
     before the Qualifying Termination: group medical insurance, group dental
     insurance, group-term life insurance, and disability insurance. These
     programs shall be continued at no cost to Executive, except to the extent
     that tax rules require the inclusion of the value of such benefits in
     Executive's income. The programs shall be continued in the same way and at
     the same level as immediately prior to the Qualifying Termination. The
     programs shall continue for Executive's benefit for two (2) years after the
     date of the Qualifying Termination; provided, however, that Executive's
     participation in each of such programs shall be earlier terminated or
     reduced, as applicable, if and to the extent Executive receives benefits as
     a result of concurrent coverage through another program.

     8.    Indemnification for Excise Tax. In the event that Executive becomes
entitled to receive a Severance Payment in accordance with the provisions of
Section 6 above, and such Severance Payment and any other benefits or payments
(including transfers of property) that Executive receives, or is to receive,
pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement, plan or arrangement with the
Company in connection with a Change in Control of the Company ("Other Benefits")
shall be subject to the tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")(or any successor thereto) or any
comparable provision of state law (an "Excise Tax"), the following rules shall
apply:

          (a)     The Company shall pay to Executive, within thirty (30) days
     after the Executive's Qualifying Termination, an additional amount (the
     "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by Executive, after
     deduction of any Excise Tax with respect to the Severance Payment or the
     Other Benefits and any federal, state and local income tax, FICA tax, and
     Excise Tax upon such Gross-Up Payment, is equal to the amount that would
     have been retained by Executive if such Excise Tax were not applicable. It
     is intended that Executive shall not suffer any loss or expense resulting
     from the assessment of any Excise Tax or the Company's reimbursement of
     Executive for payment of any such Excise Tax.

          (b)    For purposes of determining whether any of the Severance
     Payments or Other Benefits will be subject to an Excise Tax and the amount
     of such Excise Tax, (i) any other payments or benefits received or to be
     received by Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the Company
     or Executive's termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms of
     this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the
     Company, any person whose actions result in a Change in Control or any
     person affiliated with the Company or such person) shall be treated as
     "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code
     (or any successor thereto), and all "excess parachute payments" within the
     meaning of Section 280G(b)(l) of the Code (or any successor thereto) shall
     be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

     in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company's independent
     auditors and acceptable to Executive such other payments or benefits (in
     whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, or such excess
     parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable compensation
     for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of
     the Code (or any successor thereto), (ii) the amount of the Severance
     Payments and Other Benefits which shall be treated as subject to the Excise
     Tax shall be equal to the lesser of (A) the total amount of the Severance
     Payments or Other Benefits or (B) the amount of excess parachute payments
     within the meaning of Sections 280G(b)(l) and (4) of the Code (or any
     successor or successors thereto), after applying clause (i), above, and
     (iii) the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit
     shall be determined by the Company's independent auditors in accordance
     with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code (or any
     successor or successors thereto).

          (c)    For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
     Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
     marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
     Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the
     highest marginal rates of taxation in the state and locality of Executive's
     residence on the date of the Executive's Qualifying Termination, net of the
     maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from
     deduction of such state and local taxes.

          (d)    In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to
     be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of the
     Executive's Qualifying Termination, the Executive shall repay to the
     Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is
     finally determined, the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to
     such reduction plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate
     provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code (or any successor thereto)
     (the "Applicable Rate"). In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to
     exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time of such
     Qualifying Termination (including by reason of any payment the existence or
     amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment),
     the Company shall make an additional Gross-Up Payment in respect of such
     excess (plus interest, determined at the Applicable Rate, payable with
     respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is
     finally determined.

     9.    Rights and Obligations Prior to a Change in Control. Prior to the
date which is ninety (90) days before a Change in Control, the rights and
obligations of Executive with respect to his employment by the Company shall be
determined in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted from time to
time by the Company and the provisions of any written employment contract in
effect between the Company and Executive from time to time. This Agreement deals
only with certain rights and obligations of Executive subsequent, or within
ninety (90) days prior to, a Change in Control, and the existence of this
Agreement shall not be treated as raising any inference with respect to what
rights and obligations exist prior to the date which is ninety (90) days before
a Change in Control. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in a separate written
employment agreement between Executive and the Company, the employment of
Executive is expressly at-will, and Executive or the Company may terminate
Executive's employment with the Company at any time and for any reason, with or
without cause, provided

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

that if such termination occurs within ninety (90) days prior to or three (3)
years after a Change in Control and constitutes a Qualifying Termination (as
defined in Section 5 above) the provisions of this Agreement shall govern the
payment of the Severance Payment and certain other benefits as provided herein.

     10.    Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Subject to Section 6(c) hereof, nothing
in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive's continuing or future
participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided
by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which Executive may
qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
Executive may have under any stock option or other agreements with the Company
or any of its affiliated companies. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(c)
hereof, amounts which are vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise
entitled to receive under any plan or program of the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the date of any Qualified Termination
shall be payable in accordance with such plan or program.

     11.     Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counter-claim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against
Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or to take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company
agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses
which Executive may reasonably incur as a result of Executive's successful
collection efforts to receive amounts payable hereunder, or as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company or others of the
validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Section).

     12.     Successors.

          (a)     This Agreement is personal to Executive, and without the prior
     written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive other
     than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall
     inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's legal
     representatives.

          (b)     The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement
     shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and
     assigns of the Company.

     13.     Governing Law. This Agreement is made and entered into in the State
of California, and the internal laws of California shall govern its validity and
interpretation in the performance by the parties hereto of their respective
duties and obligations hereunder.

     14.     Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by an
instrument in writing executed by all of the parties hereto.

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

     15.     Dispute Resolution.

          (a)     Any controversy or dispute between the parties involving the
     construction, interpretation, application or performance of the terms,
     covenants, or conditions of this Agreement or in any way arising under this
     Agreement (a "Covered Dispute") shall, on demand by either of the parties
     by written notice served on the other party in the manner prescribed in
     Section 16 hereof, be referenced pursuant to the procedures described in
     California Code of Civil Procedure ("CCP") Sections 638, et seq., as they
     may be amended from time to time (the "Reference Procedures"), to a retired
     Judge from the Superior Court for the County of San Diego or the County of
     Orange for a decision.

          (b)     The Reference Procedures shall be commenced by either party by
     the filing in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County
     of Orange or the County of San Diego of a petition pursuant to CCP Section
     638(1) (a "Petition"). Said Petition shall designate as a referee a Judge
     from the list of retired San Diego County and Orange County Superior Court
     Judges who have made themselves available for trial or settlement of civil
     litigation under said Reference Procedures. If the parties hereto are
     unable to agree on the designation of a particular retired San Diego County
     or Orange County Superior Court Judge or the designated Judge is
     unavailable or unable to serve in such capacity, request shall be made in
     said Petition that the Presiding or Assistant Presiding Judge of the Orange
     County Superior Court or the San Diego County Superior Court, as relevant,
     appoint as referee a retired San Diego County or Orange County Superior
     Court Judge from the aforementioned list.

          (c)    Except as hereafter agreed by the parties, the referee shall
     apply the internal law of California in deciding the issues submitted
     hereunder. Unless formal pleadings are waived by agreement among the
     parties and the referee, the moving party shall file and serve its
     complaint within 15 days from the date a referee is designated as provided
     herein, and the other party shall have 15 days thereafter in which to plead
     to said complaint. Each of the parties reserves its respective rights to
     allege and assert in such pleadings all claims, causes of action,
     contentions and defenses which it may have arising out of or relating to
     the general subject matter of the Covered Dispute that is being determined
     pursuant to the Reference Procedures. Reasonable notice of any motions
     before the referee shall be given, and all matters shall be set at the
     convenience of the referee. Discovery shall be conducted as the parties
     agree or as allowed by the referee. Unless waived by each of the parties, a
     reporter shall be present at all proceedings before the referee.

          (d)    It is the parties' intention by this Section 15 that all issues
     of fact and law and all matters of a legal and equitable nature related to
     any Covered Dispute will be submitted for determination by a referee
     designated as provided herein. Accordingly, the parties hereby stipulate
     that a referee designated as provided herein shall have all powers of a
     Judge of the Superior Court including, without limitation, the power to
     grant equitable and interlocutory and permanent injunctive relief.

          (e)     Each of the parties specifically (i) consents to the exercise
     of jurisdiction over his person by a referee designated as provided herein
     with respect to any and all

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

     Covered Disputes; and (ii) consents to the personal jurisdiction of the
     California courts with respect to any appeal or review of the decision of
     any such referee.

          (f)     Each of the parties acknowledges that the decision by a
     referee designated as provided herein shall be a basis for a judgment as
     provided in CCP Section 644 and shall be subject to exception and review as
     provided in CCP Section 645.

     16.    Notices. Any notice or communications required or permitted to be
given to the parties hereto shall be delivered personally or be sent by United
States registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt
requested, and addressed or delivered as follows, or at such other addresses the
party addressed may have substituted by notice pursuant to this Section:

             Ashworth, Inc.                      Randall L. Herrel, Sr.
             2791 Loker Avenue West              1 Whiteshore Drive
             Carlsbad, California  92008         Newport Coast, California 92657
             Attn:  President

     17.     Captions. The captions of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience and do not constitute a part hereof.

     18.    Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall
be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never
been contained herein and there shall be deemed substituted for such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision such other provision as will most nearly
accomplish the intent of the parties to the extent permitted by the applicable
law. In case this Agreement, or any one or more of the provisions hereof, shall
be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable within any governmental
jurisdiction or subdivision thereof, this Agreement or any such provision
thereof shall not as a consequence thereof be deemed to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any other governmental jurisdiction or subdivision thereof.

     19.     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
together constitute one in the same Agreement.

   [Remainder of page left blank intentionally, signatures on following page]

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

     IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the day and year first written above in Carlsbad,
California.

Dated:  December 13, 2000                   ASHWORTH, INC.

                                            By: /s/ Terence W. Tsang
                                               ---------------------------

                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                   -----------------------

Dated:  December 13, 2000                   RANDALL L. HERREL, SR.

                                            By: /s/ Randall L. Herrel, Sr.
                                               ---------------------------

                                       10

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