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BCC Golf
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Golf Tip: Number of Clubs
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If anyone has a golf question that they would like answered, 
please email your question to: teachingpro@bataviacc.com and 
I'll do my best to answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

Ray I. emailed this question:

Tom, as long as you are under or at the number of clubs allowed 
in your bag, does it matter if you carry two drivers during a 
round? thanks. 

Thanks for the question Ray.  The short answer is that you
can have a whole bag full of drivers as long as the total
number of clubs does not exceed fourteen.

Here's how the exact USGA Rule reads on the subject:

Rule 4-4 Maximum of 14 Clubs

a. Selection and Addition of Clubs

The player must start a stipulated round with not more than 
14 clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that 
round except that, if he started with fewer than 14 clubs, he 
may add any number provided his total number does not exceed 
14. The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play 
(Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club 
selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
 
b. Partners May Share Clubs

Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of 
clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed 14.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4a or b,
 
REGARDLESS OF NUMBER OF EXCESS CLUBS CARRIED: 

Match play: At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach 
is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting 
one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred. Maximum 
deduction per round: Two holes.

Stroke play: Two strokes for each hole at which any breach 
occurred; maximum penalty per round: Four strokes.

Bogey and par competitions: Penalties as in match play.

Stableford competitions: see Note 1 to Rule 32-1b. 
 
c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play

Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-3a(iii) 
or Rule 4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his 
opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in 
stroke play immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. 
The player must not use the club or clubs for the remainder of 
the stipulated round. 

Penalty For Breach Of Rule 4-4c: Disqualification.

The USGA Rules are a bit like our legal system.  We have specific 
laws, when an unusual circumstance comes up, a judge makes a ruling 
and we have what's called case law, which is like an addendum to the 
original law.

The USGA has rules, when an unusual circumstance comes up they 
consider the facts, then they issue a decision, which may or may not 
adjust a rule.

To view the USGA Rules and some of the decisions, click here:
Rules of Golf & The Decisions on The Rules of Golf - 2006-07
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_of_golf.html

It's a pretty interesting read, although there seems to be a 
few contradictions.