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During a local tournament, I walked onto a green and spotted a pitching wedge obviously left by a group ahead. After we all putted out, I picked up the wedge and put it in the basket of my cart, thinking I would drop it off at the clubhouse at the turn or give it to its owner if we caught up with him. After I teed off on the next hole, a fellow competitor said I had violated Rule 4, having more than 14 clubs in my possession which called for a 4-stroke penalty. I argued that I never intended to use the club and did not even put it in my bag, so it couldn’t be a violation. What say you? – Rick Itami, Liberty Lake, WA
We say kudos to you for not telling this dunderhead to go pound sand or taking even more drastic action.
Clearly, there can be quite a difference between referencing a Rule and knowing what in fact it says. Rule 4 — 4.1, to be exact — specifically covers this courteous act, noting it does not add to one’s club count, so long as the club isn’t used. Your competitor was at best wrong and at worst trying to get one (or four) over on you.
For more club-count related guidance from our guru, read on …
Can you carry clubs outside of your bag and not have them count toward the legal limit of 14? —Joseph Mills, Pinehurst, N.C.
Yes… but only if you balance them on your nose.
Come now, Joseph — 14 clubs maximum means 14 clubs maximum (per Rule 4.1b[1]), not 14 clubs and however many more you can stash under your armpit, in your opponent’s bag and behind bushes.
Breaching this rule is a two-stroke penalty per hole in stroke play, maximum two holes, and once you realize you’re in breach you must declare the extra clubs out of play immediately or be disqualified. Golf is a game of honor, not hoarding.
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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he won’t throw the book at you.
