Introduction

It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that his clubs conform with the Rules and if in doubt, he should not carry a club. However, such guidance is not always appropriate, particularly when a question arises just before or during a competition, in which case a decision is required.

Notes on Terminology Used

• “USGA Decision” is one which already exists in the USGA Equipment
  Standards database or “Decisions on the Rules of Golf” at the time the question arises, though maybe unknown to the player or official concerned.
  
• “USGA Ruling” is one that the USGA Equipment Standards Committee or its authorised sub-Committee may make on the club which is the subject of the inquiry. It is made after the inquiry has been communicated to the appropriate Equipment Standards representative, whether it be before,
  during or after the competition.
• “Duration of Competition Answer” is made by an official involved in running the competition and has no standing after the competition has closed.
  
• “Duration of Round Answer” is made by an official involved in running
  a match play competition and has no standing after the player has
  completed that round.
  

A. Questions Arising Before the Competition Begins

1. Officials should always ascertain why the player, fellow-competitor,
   opponent or third party is questioning the club.
2. A positive ruling should only be given at this stage if the official is absolutely certain he is correct. As a precautionary measure, always
   refer to the Rules of Golf and any written guidance notes, before giving the ruling.
3. If the official is not certain of the ruling, and time permits, help and guidance should be sought from the USGA. First, it should be determined whether the club has ever been formally submitted for a decision.
4. If a USGA decision exists, and the official finds out in time, the player should be informed accordingly.
5. If there is no USGA decision on record, the official should provide the
   USGA with a detailed description of the club. If time permits, an e-mailed image or faxed drawing should be sent. The USGA will then offer as much guidance as possible based on the information given — and in most cases, offer a recommended ruling.
6. The official should make a ruling on the club based on the guidance given by the USGA.  If there is even a small amount of uncertainty, the official should only offer a Duration of Round Answer.
7. If, due to the close proximity of a player's starting time, the official is uncertain and cannot reasonably seek guidance, or is unable to contact the USGA, then he should advise the player not to carry the club for that round.
8. If it is later confirmed that the club probably does conform, then the player should be given a Duration of Competition Answer or formal ruling as soon as possible. This would mean that the player could carry the club in the next round.
9. Any player who ignores an official’s guidance and carries a doubtful club would be subject to disqualification in the event of a subsequent non-
   conforming ruling. This would apply whether the competition was
   closed or not.
10. Duration of Competition or Duration of Round Answers have no standing beyond the end of the competition or round, and therefore the player should be advised to submit the club to the USGA for a formal ruling as soon as possible. The player should also be made aware that any subsequent ruling may be different from the Duration of Competition or Duration of Round Answer which was given.

B. Questions Arising During Stroke-Play Competition

1. Officials should only accept questions between rounds, or at the conclusion of play before the competition is closed.
2. The official should ascertain why the competitor, fellow-competitor or third party is questioning the club.
3. If the official is absolutely certain of the correct decision, the competitor should be informed (see Field Procedures, A2).
4. If the official is unsure of the ruling, the player should be advised that
   he will receive either a formal ruling or a Duration of Competition Answer before the close of the competition. The procedure is the same as for a question arising before the competition began (see Field Procedures, A3 – A6).
5. If it is later confirmed that the club does not conform, then the competitor should be disqualified.

C. Questions Arising During Match Play Competition

1. During a match play event, the above procedure may need to be modified.
2. If the question arises between rounds, it would be too late for a defeated opponent of the player with a suspect club to make a claim, but a question from him would be grounds for checking the club before the player starts his next round.
3. The procedure would be to consult, get information etc., similar to stroke play competitions (see Field Procedures, A3 – A6). There may be more urgency in this case as it would be desirable to know whether the club is non-conforming before the player starts his next round, which might be the same day.
4. If a formal ruling is obtained or a Duration of Round Answer is reached, the player should be told as soon as possible. If the decision is that the club does not conform, the official would warn the player that if he carries the club in the next round he would be immediately disqualified.
5. If the player makes a claim during his match that his opponent is carrying a non-conforming club, the official will have to make a ruling under even greater time constraints. Ideally, a ruling should be made before the match is finished. In that event he will almost always err towards ruling the club to conform, but that would be a Duration of Round Answer.
6. Thereafter, if the opponent wins, the procedure is the same as for a question arising between rounds (see Field Procedures, C3 and C4).
   

D. Questions Arising After Competition Closes

Once a Competition has closed, there is plenty of time to contact the USGA to find out whether the club conforms or not and/or to submit the club. If it turns out that the club is non-conforming, the decision whether to disqualify the player depends on whether he knew the club was non-conforming prior to close of competition (see Rule 34-1). This is a question of fact, but in determining the facts, the Committee may wish to consider other evidence as well as the player's own statement.

Conclusion

The vast majority of golf clubs conform to the Rules and, therefore, equipment conformance questions are rare. However, questions do arise from time to time and officials need to know how to deal with them. It is important to remember that it is a player’s responsibility to play with conforming clubs. He cannot shift this responsibility to the officials. For their part, officials should respond to such questions calmly and with due consideration to all parties involved. Appropriate consultations should be made (i.e., refer to Rules of Golf and Equipment Guidance Notes, contact the USGA, etc.). If it is not possible to give a definitive ruling immediately, a Duration of Competition or Duration of Round Answer should be given.

In giving Duration of Competition or Duration of Round Answers, officials in doubt should err towards deeming clubs to conform. Disqualifying a player for carrying a club that later turns out to be conforming is a more serious error than allowing use of a club which later turns out to be non-conforming.