What happens if you get to the golf course and realize you forgot your wedge that you have been practicing with. Even worse, what happens if you get to the course and realize you forgot your bag!
What are the rules for borrowing clubs on the golf course? Are these rules the same if it is a practice round versus a competition?
Don’t worry, keep reading below and we will outline all you need to know about borrowing clubs on the golf course.
Can Golfers Share Clubs During Their Round?
Once a golfer starts their round, they cannot share or borrow clubs. However, before teeing off, you are allowed to lend or borrow clubs.
Now that we understand the high-level guideline, lets dig into some specific scenarios that you may encounter on the golf course.
Hopefully the articles below will help you understand all you need to know about borrowing clubs when playing 18 holes.
Can You Share Golf Clubs With Someone Without Clubs?
Generally, most courses do not allow multiple players to play out of the same bag. Courses also will not typically allow ride along spectators to join for a round unless they are playing with their own bag or a rented bag. We’ve outlined all you need to know about bringing a friend along to watch you play in this article here!
Can You Borrow Clubs From Someone Prior to A Round?
If you cannot borrow clubs during a round, at what point can you borrow a club? All clubs must be borrowed and exchanged prior to the round starting.
Also, make sure that any borrowed clubs do not cause your bag to exceed 14 clubs. USGA rules dictate the golfers can carry up to 14 clubs during play.
If You Break or Lose A Club Can you Borrow One During a Round?
We’ve all been there before when we shank a ball, and we toss the club down the fairway. Typically, it is not a big deal but occasionally the club does break. What happens if you lose a club mid round? Especially an important club like a putter or driver.
We’ll the unfortunate answer there is nothing you can do. If you break a club during a round you cannot borrow or replace it per the USGA guidelines. This is important to remember before you send your club flying into the air. It is best to remain calm and collected after a bad shot. Leave the putter toss for the amateur golfers.
Are There Exception To The Rule For Broken Or Lost Clubs?
As we covered, a player is not allowed to replace or fix a broken club during a round. However, in some rare cases a player may be eligible for replacement.
If the club damage was caused by an outside influence or natural force the club may be replaced.
This essentially means if the damage was caused by someone else on the course that is not the golfer or the caddy.
A great example would be if a hungry alligator, lightning bolt strike, or a crazed fan runs up and snaps your club in half. In those scenarios, the player would be entitled to replace their damaged club.
Are You Able To Borrow Duplicate Clubs Such As Multiple Drivers?
Given all the rules we have covered so far, you may be wondering what other rules pertain to borrowing clubs.
Are there any restriction on the type of clubs you can borrow? Or are the restrictions specific to when you borrow and the number of clubs?
There are no restrictions on borrowing the same type of club, such as driver, as long as it is borrowed prior to the round and your bag has no more than 14 clubs.
The golfer has the right to decide what clubs’ matter most to them on the course. Golfers could choose to carry all drivers or putters if they were so inclined.
Is There Any Golf Equipment That You Can Borrow During A Round Of Golf?
Surprisingly, you can borrow a lot of items during competitive rounds of golf according to the USGA. The most important of which is a golf ball.
Rule 4.2a also permits you to borrow other equipment such as golf tees or golf towels.
The ability to borrow golf accessories like balls or tees is in contradiction to borrowing golf clubs. This is likely due to the transient nature of balls and tees whereas clubs are expected to last years.
I for one would have had to leave the golf course early many times if running out of balls or tees were means for disqualification.
Final Thoughts
The main takeaway from this article is that you cannot borrow clubs during a round nor borrow a club if it causes your bag to exceed 14 clubs. Besides those two rules, golfers are allowed a lot of freedom on how they chose to fil their bag.
Stick with the classic club figuration for the best results, there is not reason to be borrowing multiple drivers before a round starts.
Also, lets stop the club throwing and slamming. Besides potentially losing a club mid round, club throwing is unbecoming of any golfer regardless of skill.
Hopefully you liked this article and found it informative. Check out our other blog posts if you liked this one!
