Rules concerning clubs
Most golfers know that 14 is the maximum number of clubs you may carry. But what if you exceed 14, even inadvertently? Sadly, you will be penalised, but there is a cap on the number of strokes or holes it will cost you.
In stroke play, there is a two-shot penalty for each hole at which any breach occurred, but it is capped at four strokes in total, with two strokes added to each of the first two holes at which a breach occurred. In match play, the score is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred. Thankfully, again, there is a limit to the number of holes deducted, and that limit is two.
If the breach is discovered between the play of two holes, any penalty would not apply on the next hole. So, if you notice an extra wedge in the bag between the 1st green and 2nd tee, it would only be a twostroke penalty in stroke play, or an adjustment of one hole in match play.
Once an excess club (or clubs) has been discovered, you must immediately take action to indicate clearly that it is now out of play, perhaps by telling another player or turning it upside down in your bag. Failure to do so will result in your disqualification.
It’s entirely up to you how your 14 clubs are made up (you may carry two drivers or two putters, if you so wish) or whether you want to carry all 14. If you start with fewer than 14, you may add clubs up to the maximum, but only if you can do so without unduly delaying play, so perhaps if the 9th green comes back close to the car park. You may also share clubs with a partner in a pairs event, provided the total number of clubs carried between the two of you does not exceed 14.
Another key equipment Rule concerns the use of damaged clubs. If a conforming club is damaged in any way during a round, you may now continue to use it for the remainder of the round, even if the damage was the result of a fit of anger! You may also repair it to its original condition or have it repaired, as long as you don’t unduly delay play.
Finally, there’s the matter of adjustability. Many clubs can now be adjusted to tweak loft, ball flight, spin and so on, but no such adjustments are permitted once a competition round has started, tempting though it may be to want to straighten out a wayward ball flight. However, if a screw or weight comes loose during a round, you are permitted to restore it to its original setting at the start of play.
“IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU HOW YOUR 14 CLUBS ARE MADE UP”