a) Damage in the normal course of play
If a player's racket is damaged in the normal course of play during a scheduled round, the player may
(I) continue to use the racket in its damaged condition for the remainder of the scheduled round or
(II) repair the club or have it repaired without unreasonably delaying play; or
(III) as an additional option, but only if the club is unplayable, replace the damaged golf club with any other club. The replacement of a club must not unreasonably delay play and no club may be borrowed that anyone playing on the course has chosen to play.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF RULE 4-3a:
See Penalty Note for Rule 4-4a or b and Rule 4-4c.
Note ( damaged rackets ): A club is unfit to play if it is considerably damaged, e.g. if the shaft is dented, noticeably bent or broken into pieces or the club head is loose, detached or noticeably deformed or the grip is detached. A club is not unfit for play simply because the angle of attack or the angle of the club face of the club head has changed or because the club head is scuffed.
b) Other damage not caused in the normal course of play
If, during a scheduled round, a player's club has been damaged in any way other than in the normal course of play, so that it is not in accordance with the rules or its playing characteristics are altered as a result, it may not subsequently be used or replaced during the round.
Status: 2018
