Simpler Rules: Rule 4 REVISED

As a result of feedback, both through this site and directly, I have revised statements relating to penalties, in this Rule.  The objective is to make statements applying penalties more readily understandable.

Further comments and suggestions for improvement are, of course, welcome.

ooOoo

 

Further revised 31/03/13
Further revised 05/04/13


Rule 4: Clubs

4-1. Conforming clubs; Wear and Alteration

Any club used by a player must conform with the specifications adopted by the Committee. If a player is in doubt as to the conformity of a club he should consult the Committee.

A club that conforms with these specifications 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 specifications.

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with either of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition. 

PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1

Disqualification from the competition.

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1:

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

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.

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with either of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition.

 

PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF RULE 4-2
Disqualification from the competition.

 

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-2:
Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

4-3. Damaged Clubs: Repair and Replacement

a. Damage in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is altered or damaged in the normal course of play, he may:

(i)    use the club in its altered or damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or

(ii)   without unduly delaying play, repair or restore it or have it repaired or restored; or  

(iii)  as an additional option available only if the club is substantially damaged and unfit for play replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play (see Rule 6-7). The replacement must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course; the penalty for breach of this provision is disqualification from the competition.

A club is damaged or unfit for play if the shaft is dented, bent or broken; the clubhead or adjustment mechanism is loose, detached or deformed; or grip is loose - a club is not unfit for play solely because the club’s lie or loft has been altered, or the clubhead is scratched.

 

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-3a(iii):

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

b. Damage Other Than in Normal Course of Play

If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is altered or 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. If the club is used, the player is disqualified from the competition. 

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 (see Rule 6-7). 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3c:

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs

a. Selection and Addition of Clubs
A player must not commence a stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round, except that if he started with fewer than fourteen clubs, he may add any number, provided his total number does not exceed fourteen.

If a player should claim that he commenced the stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs through the actions (inadvertent or otherwise) of another person, other than his partner or either of their caddies, he must be able to demonstrate the circumstances to the satisfaction of the Committee. Should he be able to do that, the penalty attached to this Rule does not apply. 

The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play (see Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course or by assembling components carried by or for the player during the stipulated round. 

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 fourteen. 

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 applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of 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, and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with any of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition.