Written by: Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules and Competitions
Rule 4 covers all of the equipment a player uses during a round of golf. The Rule is divided into three sections: clubs, balls, and use of equipment. Today, we look at the restrictions regarding clubs.
First, the clubs used by a player must conform to the Equipment Rules when the club was new and if the club was changed in any way. Most golf clubs that you are able to purchase at golf stores conform to the Equipment Rules. Additionally, a club that was conforming when new still conforms after normal wear and tear. For instance, an older club that the grooves are worn down from years of play still conforms to the Equipment Rules.
An example of a non-conforming club is a club with a molded training grip that shows you where to place your hands. There is no penalty for simply carrying a non-conforming club, but it does count toward your maximum of 14 clubs. If a stroke is made with a non-conforming club, the player is disqualified.
Most drivers and fairway woods now have adjustable features on the hosel and sole of the club head. Once a player begins a round, a club’s playing characteristics must not be changed by adjusting a feature or applying a substance to the clubhead (other than in cleaning it). If an adjustable feature becomes loose during the round, the player may restore it to its original setting.
As mentioned above, a player must start a round with 14 or less clubs. If a player starts with less than 14 clubs, he or she may add clubs during the round up to the 14 limit. A player that arrives to their starting hole with more than 14 clubs must declare which clubs are out of play, or by an action, clearly distinguish which clubs are out of play (by turning them upside down, laying them on the floor of the cart or some similar action).
Partners may not share clubs unless the total amount of clubs between the two players is 14 or less.
When it becomes known that a player has more than 14 clubs, the player must declare clubs out of play to get down to 14 or less.
The penalty for carrying more than 14 clubs is very unique…
In match play, the penalty for carrying more than 14 clubs is an adjustment to the standing of the match with a maximum of two holes. Two examples:
- During the play of the first hole, Player A realizes she has 15 clubs and declares one out of play. Player A scored 5 and her opponent scored 4 on the hole. Player A lost the hole by their scores and the status of the match is adjusted by one hole, so, Player A is 2down after the first hole.
- Players A and B complete the 16th hole and it is believed Player A won the match 3&2 (three holes up with two holes to play). Player B then realizes Player A had 16 clubs in his bag (Player A was unaware). The standing of the match is now adjusted by two holes. Player A is now 1 up and the match must continue to the 17th hole.
In stroke play, the penalty for carrying more than 14 clubs is two strokes with maximum of four strokes. Two examples:
- During the play for the first hole, a player realizes she has more than 14 clubs and declares clubs out of play to get down to 14. She must add two penalty strokes to her score on the first hole.
- During the play of his 15th hole, a player realizes he has more than 14 clubs and declares clubs out of play to get down to 14 clubs. He must add two penalty strokes to the first and second holes he played (two 2-stroke penalties).
Always count your clubs on the first tee before your round!
Click here to read Rule 4.1 in its entirety.
