October 2nd, 2008 by Phil Reich PGA Golf Art

24 Rule 4

CLUBS AND THE BALL

The United States Golf Association (USGA) reserves the right,

at any time, to change the Rules relating to clubs and balls

(see Appendices II and III) and make or change the interpretations

relating to these Rules.

Rule 4. Clubs

A player in doubt as to the conformity of a club should consult

the USGA.

A manufacturer should submit to the USGA a sample of a club

to be manufactured for a ruling as to whether the club conforms

with the Rules. The sample becomes the property of the

USGA for reference purposes. If a manufacturer fails to submit

a sample or, having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling

before manufacturing and/or marketing the club, the manufacturer

assumes the risk of a ruling that the club does not conform

with the Rules.

Definitions

All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in

the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.

4-1. Form and Make of Clubs

g a. General

The player’s clubs must conform with this Rule and the provisions,

specifications and interpretations set forth in Appendix II.

Note: The Committee may require, in the conditions of a competition

(Rule 33-1), that any driver the player carries must have a

clubhead, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current

List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the USGA.

g 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.

Rule 4 25

4-2. Playing Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material

g 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.

g 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 CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH,

CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2:

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.

Match or stroke play — In the event of a breach between the

play of two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.

Bogey and par competitions — See Note 1 to Rule 32-1a.

Stableford competitions — See Note 1 to Rule 32-1b.

*Any club or clubs carried in breach of Rule 4-1 or 4-2 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. If the player

fails to do so, he is disqualified.

PENALTY FOR making stroke with club in BREACH OF

RULE 4-1 or 4-2: Disqualification.

4-3. Damaged Clubs: Repair and Replacement

g 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

26 Rule 4

(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 Statements for Rule 4-4a or b and Rule 4-4c.

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.

g 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.

g 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

g a. Selection and Addition of Clubs

The player must not start a stipulated round with 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 5 27

(Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club

selected for play by any other person playing on the course.

g 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 — See Note 1 to Rule 32-1a.

Stableford competitions — See Note 1 to Rule 32-1b.

g 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.