The Rules Benefit the Golfer

Except When They Don't

Several years ago, The USGA updated the rule regarding replacing a damaged club. Many had lobbied for the rule change for years. The USGA finally relented and agreed to a change. Players cheered the new rule as they now had the ability to keep playing, repair or possible replace a damaged club.

Well, sort of. It depends on the definition of a damaged club.

Rule 4.1 used to read: A player is not allowed to replace a damaged club, except when it is damaged during the round by an outside influence or natural forces or by someone other than the player or his or her caddie.

The new version reads: The player is allowed to keep using and/or to repair any club damaged during the round, no matter what the damage and even if the player damaged it in anger.

For example, under the old rule, a player could not replace or continue to use a damaged club if the player caused the damage by slamming the club into the ground. The new version allows the player an option to continue using the damaged club or repairing the club. A player still cannot replace a club damaged out of anger.

In the past, if a player damaged their putter out of anger, the player could not continue to use the putter even if it was still usable. The new rule gives the player an option to use or repair the putter.

All this was welcome news to golfers for several reasons. Damage to a club wasn’t always evident for players or referees/rules officials. The new rule eliminated the need for an on-course determination of damage.

Kind of, sort of, maybe.

A damaged club is defined as being “broken or significantly damaged” if the shaft breaks, the club face is visibly damaged (scratches do not count), the clubhead is significantly deformed or detached or the grip is loose.

Pretty straight forward, right?

Wrong. The USGA added a puzzling exception to the definition. A cracked club face or clubhead is not considered a substantially damaged club.

Wait…what? A crack in the club face or the clubhead is not considered to be sufficiently damaged?

This is misguided in my opinion. A crack on a club face or clubhead will substantially alter the performance of the club. It can no longer perform as it was designed.

The USGA would argue it can be difficult to determine the difference between a scratch and a crack during the normal course of play.

Except, I would argue, there would be a difference in the sound of the ball being struck and/or the ball flight. For instance, if a driver had a perceived crack in the club face, the driver no longer has the capacity to perform as designed. The sound of the ball being struck would be different. More so, the flight of the ball would definitely be altered. Neither of these issues would occur with a simple scratch.

The rules are designed to benefit the golfer, not hurt the golfer. The newer damaged club rule provides the player some options which make far more sense than the previous rule. However, despite some clarity, there remains some ambiguity as to what a damaged club is. In this case, while there is newfound benefit to the golfer with the rules change, there is still some curious detriment remaining.

As always, be thankful when you get to play this amazing game. Be grateful for every shot. Appreciate every moment on the course. Now, go golf!