[4-1/1 Reserved]

4-1/2 Material in Head of Metal Wood Club Broken Away from Shell

Q. A piece of material in the head of a metal wood club, which conformed with the Rules when manufactured, has broken away from the shell due to use, and it rattles around in the head. Appendix II, 1a states in part: “All parts of the club must be fixed so that the club is one unit.” Is this metal wood club now non-conforming because of the loose piece of material?

A. No, because Rule 4-1b states in part: “A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use.” The piece of material in the metal wood club in question broke loose from the shell due to wear through normal use.

Attachment to Grip or Shaft of Club of Player with Artificial Arm — See 14-3/15.

4-1/3  Status of a Chipper

Q. What Rules apply to “chippers”?

A. A “chipper” is an iron club designed primarily for use off the putting green, generally with a loft greater than ten degrees. As most players adopt a “putting stroke” when using a chipper, there can be a tendency to design the club as if it was a putter. To eliminate confusion, the Rules which apply to “chippers” include:

1.  The shaft must be attached to the clubhead at the heel (Appendix II, 2c);

2.  The grip must be circular in cross-section (Appendix II, 3(i)) and only one grip is permitted (Appendix II, 3(v));

3.  The clubhead must be generally plain in shape (Appendix II, 4a) and have only one striking face (Appendix II, 4d); and

4.  The face of the club must conform to specifications with regard to hardness, surface roughness, material and markings in the impact area (Appendix II, 5).

(Revised)

4-1/4  Lead Tape Applied to Clubhead or Shaft Before Start of Round

Q. Before the start of a round, may a player attach lead tape to a clubhead or shaft for the purpose of adjusting weight?

A. Yes. The use of lead tape is an exception to Appendix II, 1b(ii).

4-1/5 Material Applied to Clubhead to Reduce Glare or For Protection

Q. May a player put an adhesive bandage or tape on the clubhead to reduce glare or for protection (e.g., while the player has the club on loan)?

A. An adhesive bandage or tape added to the clubhead is considered an external attachment, rendering the club non-conforming in breach of Rule 4-1a (see Appendix II, Rule 1a but see also Decision 4-1/4). Additionally, adding such an attachment during the round would change the club’s playing characteristics in breach of Rule 4-2. (Revised — Formerly 4-2/1)

Caddie Shields Player from Sun During Stroke — See 14-2/3.

4-2/0.5 Lead Tape Applied to Clubhead or Shaft During Round

Q. With regard to Decision 4-1/4, may a player remove, add or alter lead tape during a round?

A. No. However, lead tape that becomes detached from the club in the normal course of play may be placed back onto the club in the same location. If the lead tape will not remain on the club in the same location, new tape may be used. Every effort should be made to restore the club, as nearly as possible, to its previous condition. Alternatively, the club may be used in its damaged state (without the lead tape) for the remainder of the round (Rule 4-3a).

If the tape is altered or damaged other than in the normal course of play, the club may not be used for the remainder of the round, under penalty of disqualification (see Rules 4-2a and 4-3).

Competitor Changes Weight of Club During Round; Breach Discovered After Competition Closed — See 34-1b/4.

[4-2/1 Reserved]

4-2/2  Playing Characteristics of Club Changed While Play Suspended; Error Discovered Before Play Resumed

Q. While play is suspended, a player changes the lie of four of his clubs. Before play is resumed, he becomes aware that Rule 4-2a prohibits purposely changing the playing characteristics of a club during a round. If the original lie of the four clubs is restored, or if the player discards them before play is resumed, can he avoid the penalty prescribed by Rule 4-2?

A. Rule 4-2a is intended to ensure that, apart from damage sustained in the normal course of play, the playing characteristics of the clubs with which the player starts the stipulated round will not be altered until he has finished it. It would be impossible to restore exactly the original lie of an altered club. Accordingly, although the stipulated round has been suspended and the player did not technically change the playing characteristics during the round, in equity (Rule 1-4):

(1) the player incurs no penalty if he discards the clubs in question or declares them out of play to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play before he resumes play and, assuming he started the round with 14 clubs, finishes the round with the remaining ten clubs, or

(2) if the player resumes play carrying one or more of the four clubs without having declared the club or clubs out of play, in view of the purpose of Rule 4-2a, he is deemed to be in breach of Rule 4-2a, whether or not he has attempted to restore the original playing characteristics. The penalty will depend on whether the player uses any of the altered clubs — see penalty statement under Rule 4-2.

(Revised)

4-2/3  Applying Chalk to Club Face

Q. During a round, may a player apply chalk to the face of an iron club in order to obtain more backspin?

A. No.

4-2/4  Applying Saliva to Face of Club

Q. A player spat on the face of his club and did not wipe the saliva off before playing his next stroke. Is this permissible?

A. If the purpose of doing this was to influence the movement of the ball, the player was in breach of Rule 4-2b as saliva is “foreign material.”

4-3/1 Meaning of Damage Sustained in “Normal Course of Play”

Q. In Rule 4-3a, what is meant by the term “normal course of play”?

A. The term “normal course of play” is intended to cover all reasonable acts but specifically excludes cases of abuse.

In addition to making a stroke, practice swing or practice stroke, examples of acts that are in the “normal course of play” include the following:

• removing or replacing a club in the bag;

• using a club to search for or retrieve a ball;

• leaning on a club while waiting to play, teeing a ball or removing a ball from the hole; or

• accidentally dropping a club.

Examples of acts that are not in the “normal course of play” include the following:

• throwing a club in anger or otherwise;

• “slamming” a club into a bag; or

• intentionally striking something (e.g., the ground or a tree) with the club other than during a stroke, practice swing or practice stroke.

Leaning on Club in Hazard While Waiting to Play — See 13-4/2.

4-3/2  Meaning of “Repair”

Q. During a round, a player may repair a club damaged in the normal course of play, or he may have it repaired by someone else. What does the term “repair” mean within the context of Rule 4-3a(ii)?

A. The term “repair” in Rule 4-3a(ii) means to restore the club, as nearly as possible, to its condition prior to the incident which caused the damage.

4-3/3  Club Damaged in Normal Course of Play Breaks into Pieces When Repaired

Q. The shaft of a player’s club is bent in the normal course of play. The player, in attempting to repair the damaged club as permitted by Rule 4-3a(ii), breaks the shaft into pieces. What is the ruling?

A. Since the player was entitled to repair the damaged club, the further damage to the club, which has rendered it unfit for play, is also considered to have occurred in the normal course of play. Thus, Rule 4-3a permits the player to use the club in its damaged state, repair it or have it repaired, or replace it with any club.

4-3/4  Modifying Penalty for Holing Short Putt with Club Whose Playing Characteristics Changed Other Than in Normal
Course of Play

Q. A player leaves a putt about an inch short of the hole. In disgust, he hits his shoe with the head of his putter. The impact bends the neck of the putter, changing its playing characteristics. The player then holes the one-inch putt with the putter.

Rule 4-3b states in part: “If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged other than in the normal course of play… changing its playing characteristics, the club must not subsequently be used or replaced during the round.” The penalty for breach of Rule 4-3b is disqualification. Would the Committee be justified in waiving or modifying the disqualification penalty in these circumstances, provided the player does not subsequently use the altered putter during the round?

A. No.

4-3/5  Changing Clubs Because of Wet Grips

Q. May a player change clubs during a round if the grips become wet?

A. No. A club is “unfit for play” if it is substantially damaged, but not if the grip becomes slippery — see Note to Rule 4-3a.

[4-3/6  Reserved]

4-3/7  Club Broken While Used as Cane

Q. A player uses one of his clubs as a cane while climbing a hill and the shaft breaks. May he replace the club during the round?

A. Yes. A club broken in such circumstances is considered to have become “damaged in the normal course of play” as its use as a cane is considered a reasonable act — see Decision 4-3/1.

4-3/8  Player Starting with 13 Clubs Breaks Putter in Anger and Replaces It

Q. A player who started a round with 13 clubs broke his putter in anger, i.e., other than in the normal course of play, during the first nine holes. He bought another putter in the pro shop after the first nine holes and used it for the remainder of the round. Rule 4-3a(iii) permits replacing a club only if it becomes unfit for play in the normal course of play. Was the player subject to penalty?

A. No. Since he started with 13 clubs, he was entitled to add another club under Rule 4-4a.

4-3/9  Club Broken Due to Habit of Hitting Head of Club on Ground

Q. Rule 4-3a states that a club may be replaced if it becomes “damaged in the normal course of play.” A player has a habit of hitting the head of his putter on the ground as he walks to the next tee, especially after missing a putt. On one occasion, after missing a short putt, the player hit the head of his putter on the ground so hard that the putter broke. The player said that he often taps the putter on the ground, and that it was not done in anger or with the intention of breaking the club. Should he be allowed to replace the club?

A. No. A club broken by hitting it hard on the ground or tapping it on the ground is not considered to have become “damaged in the normal course of play” as such actions are not considered reasonable acts — see Decision 4-3/1.

4-3/9.5 Club Rendered Unfit for Play By Outside Agency or Opponent’s Side

Q. After reaching the putting green, a player places his clubs near the next tee. A greenkeeper’s vehicle or an opponent’s golf cart accidentally strikes the player’s clubs, breaking several of them. What is the ruling?

A. Rule 4-3 does not contemplate a situation where the player’s clubs are damaged by an outside agency or opponent. Therefore, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player may use the clubs in their damaged state, repair them or have them repaired, or replace them in accordance with Rule 4-3a(iii).

4-3/10  Replacement of Club Lost During Round

Q. A player who started a round with 14 clubs lost his putter. May he replace it during the round?

A. No. A lost club is not one which has become unfit for play in the normal course of play — see Rule 4-3.

4-3/11  Replacement of Club Broken on Practice Ground While Play Suspended

Q. Play has been suspended by the Committee. Prior to resuming play, a player is practicing on the practice ground. While hitting a ball, the shaft of his sand wedge breaks. In such circumstances, is the club considered to have become unfit for play in the normal course of play, in which case the player would be entitled to replace the broken club under Rule 4-3a(iii)?

A. Yes.

4-3/12  Replacing Club for Stroke-Play Play-Off

Q. In stroke play, a competitor broke a club in anger, finished the round with 13 clubs and then learned that he would be involved in a hole-by-hole play-off. May the competitor replace his broken club for the play-off?

A. The play-off constitutes a new round — see Definition of “Stipulated Round.” The competitor is therefore entitled to replace his broken club. (Revised)

Another Decision Relating to Rule 4-3:

Whether Player May Use Excess Club to Replace Club Damaged in Normal Course of Play — See 4-4c/2.

4-4a/1  When Club Is Considered Added

Q. A player finds on the first green that he has no putter and is carrying only 13 clubs. He continues play but sends his caddie back to the clubhouse. The caddie fetches one of two putters which he finds and gives it to the player. May the player then tell the caddie to take it back and fetch the other one instead?

A. Yes, provided he did not play a stroke with any club when the first putter was in his possession.

4-4a/2  Changing Clubs Between Rounds in 36-Hole Match

Q. In a 36-hole match, may a player who started with 14 clubs change putters after play of the first 18 holes and before the start of the second 18 holes?

A. Yes. Rule 4-4a prohibits such procedure only during a stipulated round. A 36-hole match comprises two stipulated rounds of 18 holes each — Definition of “Stipulated Round.”

4-4a/3  Competitor Withdraws During Round and Puts His Clubs in Fellow-Competitor’s Bag

Q. In stroke play, B withdrew during a round, put his clubs in A’s bag, making the total number of clubs in the bag exceed 14, and carried A’s bag for the remainder of the round. Should A be penalized under Rule 4-4a?

A. No, provided he did not use any of B’s clubs.

4-4a/4  Partners’ Clubs Carried in One Bag

Q. In a foursome competition, is it permissible for partners to put both sets of clubs in one golf bag, provided each player uses only his own clubs?

A. Yes, provided each player’s clubs are clearly identifiable.

4-4a/5  Fellow-Competitor’s Club Put in Competitor’s Bag by Mistake During Round Used Unintentionally by Competitor

Q. In stroke play, A and B both started with 14 clubs. They were using iron clubs of the same model. At one hole, B’s caddie inadvertently put one of B’s clubs into A’s bag. At a subsequent hole, A played a stroke with B’s club by mistake. What is the ruling?

A. Rule 4-4a states: “The player must start a stipulated round with not more than 14 clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected....” A complied with the first sen-tence and therefore incurred no penalty for carrying B’s club. However, when A played a stroke with B’s club, he did not comply with the second sentence and was subject to penalty under Rule 4-4a.

4-4a/5.5 Player’s Club Put in Another Player’s Bag by Mistake During Suspension of Play

Q. A and B both began the stipulated round with 14 clubs. During a suspension of play, one of B’s clubs was placed accidentally into A’s bag. After play resumed, A noticed B’s club in his (A’s) bag but he did not play a stroke with B’s club. What is the ruling?

A. Both players complied with Rule 4-4a as they began the stipulated round with not more than 14 clubs. Since A did not play a stroke with B’s club, there is no penalty to either player and B may have his club returned to him — but see also Decision 4-4a/5.

4-4a/6  Excess Club Put in Player’s Golf Bag After Player Has Counted His Clubs at 1st Tee; Error Discovered After Player
Has Started Round

Q. A arrives at the 1st tee, counts his clubs and confirms that he is carrying 14. He then removes his driver from his golf bag, leaves the bag beside the tee and checks in with the starter. At this point, X, a player in another match or group, by mistake puts his putter in A’s golf bag, which was identical to X’s bag. A then drives from the 1st tee. During play of the 1st hole, A discovers that X’s club has been put in his (A’s) golf bag. Does A incur a penalty for starting the round with more than 14 clubs?

A. Yes.

4-4a/7  Carrying Weighted Training Club

Q. May a player carry a weighted training club in addition to the 14 clubs selected for the round?

A. No, but a weighted training club may be selected as one of 14 clubs carried by a player, provided it conforms with Rule 4-1 (e.g., an excessively-weighted driver head may breach the limit on Moment of Inertia — see Appendix II). (Revised)

4-4a/8  Retrieving Another Player’s Lost Club

Q. A player carrying 14 clubs found another player’s club on the course. He picked up the lost club, put it in his bag but did not use it, and handed it in at the pro shop when the round was completed. Was the player in breach of Rule 4-4a for carrying 15 clubs?

A. No.

4-4a/9  Clarification of Match-Play Penalty

Q. Please confirm that the following is a correct interpretation of Rule 4-4a in a match between A and B:

1. After the 1st hole, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B won the hole — the match is all square.

(b) If the hole was halved — A is 1 up.

(c) If A won the hole — A is 2 up.

2. After the 2nd hole, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B won both holes — the match is all square.

(b) If B was 1 up — A is 1 up.

(c) If the match was all square — A is 2 up.

(d) If A was 1 up — A is 3 up.

(e) If A was 2 up — A is 4 up.

3. Later in the match, but before the players leave the last green, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B was more than 2 up — 2 “ups” are deducted.

(b) If B was 2 up — the match is all square.

(c) If B was 1 up — A is 1 up.

(d) If the match was all square — A is 2 up.

(e) If A was 1 up — A is 3 up.

(f) If A was 2 up — A is 4 up.

(g) If A was more than 2 up — 2 “ups” are added to his “ups.”

A. As the loss of hole penalty for a breach of Rule 4-4a is not applied to a specific hole, but to the state of the match at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, your interpretation is correct.

Breach of 14-Club Rule Discovered After Match Concluded But Before Result Officially Announced — See 2-5/5.5.

4-4a/10  Breach of 14-Club Rule in Stroke Play Discovered at 8th Hole; Where Penalty Strokes Applied

Q. In stroke play, A discovers during play of the 8th hole that he has 15 clubs in his bag and thus has incurred a penalty of four strokes under Rule 4-4a. How should the four-stroke penalty be applied?

A. A must add penalties of two strokes to his scores for the 1st and 2nd holes.

In four-ball stroke play, both A and his partner would add penalties of two strokes to their scores for the 1st and 2nd holes -- see Rule 31-6. (Revised)

4-4a/11  Excess Club Discovered Before Player Plays from 2nd Tee But After Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Has Played

Q. A player starts a round with 15 clubs. He discovers his error at the 2nd tee after his opponent or a fellow-competitor has played but before he has played. Does the player incur the maximum penalty of (a) deduction of two holes in match play or (b) four strokes in stroke play?

A. No. Since the player has not started play of the 2nd hole, he incurs a penalty of (a) deduction of one hole in match play or (b) two strokes in stroke play.

4-4a/12  Competitor Who Misplaces Putter Borrows Fellow-Competitor’s Putter

Q. In stroke play, A, who had mistakenly left his putter at the previous green, borrows a putter from B, a fellow-competitor, and uses it. At the next tee, the Committee is advised of the situation. What is the ruling?

A. A was not entitled to borrow a club selected for play by any other person on the course — Rule 4-4a. A incurs a penalty of two strokes for a breach of Rule 4-4a and must immediately declare B’s putter out of play as prescribed in Rule 4-4c. If A recovers his own putter, he may use it.

B may have his putter returned to him and use it for the remainder of the round.

4-4a/13 Player Practices with Another Player’s Club

Q. A player starts a round with 14 clubs. Between the play of two holes he borrows another player’s putter and makes several practice putts on the putting green of the hole last played. What is the ruling?

A. There is no penalty. Such practice putting is permitted by Rule 7-2. The borrowing of the putter does not breach Rule 4-4a since the putter was not used to make a stroke that counted in the player’s score.

4-4a/14 Player Carries Pieces of Broken Club

Q. A player starts a round with 14 clubs as well as a club that had been broken into pieces prior to the start of the round, but had not yet been removed from his bag. What is the ruling?

A. The Rules do not contemplate such a situation. In these circumstances, in equity (Rule 1-4), there is no penalty provided the broken club is not used during the stipulated round.

4-4b/1  Borrowing Partner’s Putter

Q. Neither A nor B, who were partners in a four-ball match, had 14 clubs, but between them they had more than 14 clubs. Several times during the round A borrowed B’s putter. Is this permissible?

A. No. A and B should have had two holes deducted. The penalty would be applied to the state of the match at the conclusion of the hole at which it became known that a breach had occurred.

Whether Player May Borrow Balls from Another Player — See 5-1/5.

Borrowing Club for Measuring Purposes — See 20/2.

4-4c/1  Excess Club Declared Out of Play Before Round and Placed on Floor of Golf Cart

Q. Before the start of a round, a player discovers that there are 15 clubs in his golf bag. He declares one of the clubs out of play, removes it from his bag, places it on the floor of his golf cart and begins the round. Is the player subject to penalty?

A. Yes, for starting the round with more than 14 clubs. Rule 4-4c has to do with declaring an excess club out of play on discovery of a breach after a round has started. There is nothing in the Rules to permit carrying, during a round, an excess club declared out of play before the round.

4-4c/2 Whether Player May Use Excess Club to Replace Club Damaged in Normal Course of Play

Q. A player begins a round with 15 clubs. On discovering his error, he applies the appropriate penalty under Rule 4-4a and declares a club out of play in accordance with Rule 4-4c. Later in the round, the player damages one of his remaining clubs in the normal course of play to the extent that it is unfit for play. May the player replace the damaged club with the excess club he declared out of play in accordance with Rule 4-4c?

A. Yes. Rule 4-3a(iii), which states in part that a player may replace a club that is unfit for play as a result of damage that occurred in the normal course of play “with any club” overrides Rule 4-4c, which prohibits the use of a club declared out of play as a result of a breach of Rule 4-4a or b.