BIDSTON GOLF CLUB

Every Month we take a look at a selection of Rules and Penalties as defined by

“The Rules of Golf”

This Month we look at more “What are my Options”

Situations & Solutions?

Club Breaks During Normal Use of Play?

Situation: A Player’s club breaks during their backswing when the club hits a branch?

Solution: As long as play is not delayed, a player may replace with any club, a club that becomes unfit for play in the normal course of play. If the club broke other than in normal course of play, he may not replace the club. NOTE- a player may not add or replace clubs by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.

Club Breaks Not During Normal Use?

Situation: Player breaks club by striking it against a tree after a poor shot.

Solution: If the player started his stipulated round with 14 clubs, he may not replace the broken club with another club. If he started with less than 14 clubs, another club may be added with undue delay. NOTE- The addition of a club may not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course. 

Changing Clubs During Round?

Situation: A player changes putters after 9 holes of his 18 hole match.

Solution: This would not be permitted because a player is limited to using the clubs he had already selected for that round. EXCEPTION- if the player started the round with less than 14 clubs would permit the player to add a club. Any club added that would not exceed the 14 club limit must be done without delaying play. Also, a player may replace a club with any other club that becomes unfit for play during the normal use of play. If a player is permitted to add or replace a club, it must be done by not borrowing any club selected for play by another person playing on the course. 

Asking Player About Club Selection?

Situation: Player asks opponent or competitor what club he just used.

Solution: Depends on when and why the question was asked. A PLAYER MUST NOT ASK FOR ADVICE OR GIVE ADVICE. Advice is any information that could influence the player in his choice of club, or how to play the shot. There would be no penalty if a player asked the question after he had already played the shot. There would be a penalty if a player purposely volunteers information to change how his opponent is to play a shot. 

Borrowing Clubs?

Situation: A player borrows a club form another player, is this permitted?

Solution: NO, a player may not borrow, add, or replace a club with a club selected for play from any other playing on the course.

Lost Club?

Situation: A player thinks they left their sandwedge on a previous hole.

Solution: If the player started their round with 14 clubs, they may not replace the lost club with another. A lost club is not considered to be unfit in the normal course of play. HOWEVER, the club may be retrieved as long as play is not delayed. In other words, the player can send his caddie or someone else. If the player started his round with less than 14 clubs, he may add another club.

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