The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? He’s got all the answers.
I was sharing a cart with a friend, who accidentally put her wedge in my bag. After I pulled a chip shot and hit her in the foot, I realized the club was hers. So we have quite a few issues here: 15 clubs in the bag, using someone else’s club, hitting a competitor. Can you help untangle them? — LIZ BURCHILL, SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
Your query is indeed a mixed bag. As you know, players aren’t allowed to share clubs with one another. There was no issue with your friend’s accidental error … until you made a stroke with her club.
At that point, realizing your mistake, you’d need to declare the club immediately out of play and take a two-stroke penalty, under Rule 4.1b. A player is responsible for knowing which club he or she is using. On the bright side, there’s no penalty for the accidental deflection (Unconscious revenge? A Freudian chip?) and you just play the ball as it lies.
Got a rules question? Of course you do! Whatever it may be, send yours to rulesguy@golf.com and the question may be answered in an upcoming issue of GOLF. Until then, play by the Rules!