Rules of Golf - Rule 4: Clubs
4-1. Form and
Make of Clubs
a. General
The player’s clubs must conform with this Rule and the provisions,
specifications and interpretations set forth in Appendix II.
b. Wear and Alteration
A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to conform after
wear through normal use. Any part of a club that has been purposely
altered is regarded as new and must, in its altered state, conform with
the Rules.
4-2. Playing
Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material
a. Playing Characteristics Changed
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must
not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.
b. Foreign Material
Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of
influencing the movement of the ball.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or -2:
Disqualification.
4-3. Damaged
Clubs: Repair and Replacement
a. Damage in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the normal
course of play, he may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the
stipulated round; or
(ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired; or
(iii) as an additional option available only if the club is unfit for
play, replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club
must not unduly delay play and must not be made by borrowing any club
selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3a:
See Penalty Statement for Rule 4-4a or b, and c.
Note: A club is unfit for play if it is substantially damaged, e.g., the
shaft is dented, significantly bent or broken into pieces; the clubhead
becomes loose, detached or significantly deformed; or the grip becomes
loose. A club is not unfit for play solely because the club’s lie or
loft has been altered, or the clubhead is scratched.
b. Damage Other Than in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged other than in
the normal course of play rendering it non-conforming or changing its
playing characteristics, the club must not subsequently be used or
replaced during the round.
c. Damage Prior to Round
A player may use a club damaged prior to a round provided the club, in
its damaged state, conforms with the Rules.
Damage to a club that occurred prior to a round may be repaired during
the round, provided the playing characteristics are not changed and play
is not unduly delayed.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3b or c:
Disqualification.
(Undue delay — see Rule 6-7.)
4-4. Maximum
of 14 Clubs
a. Selection and Addition of Clubs
The player must start a stipulated round with not more than 14 clubs. He
is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round except that, if he
started with fewer than 14 clubs, he may add any number provided his
total number does not exceed 14.
The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7)
and the player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any
other person playing on the course.
b. Partners May Share Clubs
Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of clubs
carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed 14.
Penalty For Breach Of Rule 4-4a or b,
Regardless Of Number Of Excess Clubs Carried:
Match play — At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is
discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for
each hole at which a breach occurred. Maximum deduction per round: Two
holes.
Stroke play — Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred;
maximum penalty per round: Four strokes.
Bogey and par competitions — Penalties as in match play.
Stableford competitions — see Note 1 to Rule 32-1b.
c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-3a(iii) or Rule
4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent in match
play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play immediately
upon discovery that a breach has occurred. The player must not use the
club or clubs for the remainder of the stipulated round.
Penalty For Breach Of Rule 4-4c:
Disqualification.
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