WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN A CLUB IS DAMAGED?
After playing three poor shots in succession a player bends his club across his knee in frustration.
Question 1:
May the player have the club repaired and use it again during the stipulated round?
Question 2:
May the player try to straighten the club themselves and use it again during the stipulated round?
Question 3:
May the player replace the damaged club…
a) … if he is carrying 14 clubs?
b) … if he is carrying 13 or less clubs?
Answer 1: No.             Answer 2: No.             Answer 3: a) No. Rule 4-4. b) Yes. Decision 4-3/8.
Rule 4-3b states: 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.
In trying to play a stroke close to a tree a player snaps the shaft of their club on their follow-through.
Question 4:
May the player replace the damaged club…
a) … if he is carrying 14 clubs?
b) … if he is carrying 13 or less clubs?
Answer 4: a) Yes. b) Yes.
Rule 4-3a states: 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
(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.
