On the 1st teeing
ground a competitor realises that they only have 13 clubs in their bag,
as they have left their new putter in their car. They send a friend to
fetch it and borrow a fellow competitor's putter on the first two holes,
until their friend returns with their own club. What is the ruling?
a) No penalty has been incurred because the player started their round
with only 13 clubs.
b) The player incurs a penalty of one stroke.
c) The player incurs a penalty of two strokes.
d) The player incurs a penalty of four strokes.
Answer 1:
d) The player incurs a penalty of four strokes.
Note: A player must not add or borrow any club
selected for play by any other person playing on the course. Rule 4-4a.
The penalty is two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred
with a maximum penalty per round of four strokes (two strokes at each of
the first two holes during which any breach occurred).
Question 2:
Which of the following items is a player permitted to borrow from
another person playing on the course?
a) Wet suit.
b) Tee.
c) Ball marker.
d) Golf balls.
e) Driver.
f) Distance measuring device (assuming a Local Rule permits their use).
Answer 2:
All of the above, except e) Driver.
Note: The Rules do not prevent a player from borrowing any item of
equipment, other than a club, from another player, or from an outside
agency.
Question 3:
a) Does a player who loans a club to another competitor also get
penalised when it is used to make a stroke?
b) May the player who loans a club continue to use the same club
themselves for the remainder of their round?
Answer 3:
a) No. Rule 4-4a.
b) Yes. Decision 4-4a/12.
