The ruling in plain English
Usually yes, if a conforming club was damaged during the round and the damage was not caused by abuse. You may instead keep using it or repair it. Before playing with a replacement, clearly take the damaged club out of play and check any competition Local Rule G-9.
Apply the Rule on the course
Check how the club was damaged, whether G-9 applies, and take the old club out of play before using a replacement.
- 1
Confirm that the club was conforming and was damaged during this round, not deliberately altered.
- 2
Check whether the damage resulted from abuse and whether Local Rule G-9 applies.
- 3
If replacement is allowed, obtain a permitted replacement without unreasonably delaying play or borrowing a club carried by another player on the course.
- 4
Take the damaged club out of play before making a stroke with the replacement.
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What else matters
The consequence depends on the specific breach. Making a stroke with a club deliberately altered or otherwise non-conforming can mean disqualification; unauthorised replacement breaches Rule 4.1b.
Exceptions
- Damage caused by abuse does not confer the normal repair/replacement permission.
- A Committee adopting Model Local Rule G-9 may limit replacement to broken or significantly damaged clubs.
- The damaged conforming club can normally continue to be used for the rest of the round.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a club damaged in anger may simply be replaced.
- Using a replacement before taking the damaged club out of play.
- Borrowing a replacement carried by another player on the course.
Remember: Damaged, not abused; check G-9; take old club out before replacing.
R&A Rules 4.1a(2) and 4.1b(4)
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.
Watch a broken-club example
Explains the 2023 change for ordinary non-abuse damage. Its 2019 comparison is historical; check the current R&A Rule and any adopted 2026 Local Rule G-9 for replacement conditions.