Purpose of Rule: Rule 4 covers the equipment that players may use during a round. Based on the principle that golf is a challenging game in which success should depend on the player’s judgment, skills and abilities, the player:
Must use conforming clubs and balls,
Is limited to no more than 14 clubs, and
Is restricted in the use of other equipment that gives artificial help to their play.
4
The Player’s Equipment
For detailed requirements for clubs, balls and other equipment and the process for consultation and submission of equipment for conformity review, see the Equipment Rules.
4.2
Balls
4.2a
Balls Allowed in Play of Round
(1) Conforming Ball Must Be Played. In making each stroke, a player must use a ball that conforms to the requirements in the Equipment Rules.A player may get a conforming ball to play from anyone else, including another player on the course.(2) Deliberately Altered Ball Must Not Be Played. A player must not make a stroke at a ball whose performance characteristics have been deliberately altered, such as by scuffing or heating the ball or by applying any substance (other than in cleaning it).Penalty for Making Stroke in Breach of Rule 4.2a: Disqualification.
4.2b
Ball Breaks into Pieces While Playing Hole
If a player’s ball breaks into pieces after a stroke, there is no penalty and the stroke does not count.The player must play another ball from where that stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 4.2b: General Penaltyunder Rule 14.7a.
4.2c
Ball Becomes Cut or Cracked While Playing Hole
(1) Lifting Ball to See If Cut or Cracked. If a player reasonably believes that their ball has become cut or cracked during the hole being played :
The player may lift the ball to look at it, but:
The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the ball must not be cleaned (except on the putting green) (see Rule 14.1).
If the player lifts the ball without having this reasonable belief (except on the putting green where the player may lift under Rule 13.1b), fails to mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or cleans it when not allowed, the player gets one penalty stroke.
(2) When Another Ball May Be Substituted. The player may substitute another ball only if it can be clearly seen that the original ball is cut or cracked and this damage happened during the hole being played – but not if it is only scratched or scraped or its paint is only damaged or discoloured.
If the original ball is cut or cracked, the player must replace either another ball or the original ball on the original spot (see Rule 14.2).
If the original ball is not cut or cracked, the player must replace it on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).
If a player makes a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball, the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 6.3b.Nothing in this Rule prohibits a player from substituting another ball under any other Rule or changing balls between two holes.Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 4.2c: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.
4.3
Use of Equipment
Rule 4.3 applies to all types of equipment that a player might use during a round, except that the requirement to play with conforming clubs and balls is covered by Rules 4.1 and 4.2, not by this Rule.This Rule only concerns how equipment is used. It does not limit the equipment that a player may have with them during a round.
4.3a
Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment
A player may use equipment to help their play during a round, except that a player must not create a potential advantage by:
Using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game, or
Using equipment (including a club or a ball) in an abnormal way in making a stroke. “Abnormal way” means a way that is fundamentally different than its intended use and is not normally recognized as part of playing the game.
This Rule does not affect the application of any other Rule that limits actions a player is allowed to take with a club, ball or other equipment (such as setting down a club or other object to help the player in aiming, see Rule 10.2b(3)).Common examples of uses of equipment that are allowed and not allowed during a player’s round under this Rule are:(1) Distance and Directional Information.
Allowed. Getting information on distance or direction (such as from a distance-measuring device or compass).
Not Allowed.
Measuring elevation changes,
Interpreting distance or directional information (such as using a device to get a recommended line of play or club selection based on the location of the player’s ball), or
Using an alignment device (see definition in Equipment Rules) to help align the ball.
See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule G-5 (the Committee may adopt a Local Rule prohibiting the use of distance-measuring devices).(2) Information on Wind and Other Weather Conditions.
Allowed.
Getting any type of weather information (including wind speed) that is available from weather forecasts, or
Measuring temperature and humidity at the course.
Not Allowed.
Measuring wind speed at the course, or
Using an artificial object to get other wind-related information (such as using powder, a handkerchief or a ribbon to assess wind direction).
(3) Information Gathered Before or During Round.
Allowed.
Using information that was gathered before the round (such as playing information from previous rounds, swing tips or club recommendations), or
Recording (for use after the round) playing or physiological information from the round (such as club distance, playing statistics or heart rate).
Not Allowed.
Processing or interpreting playing information from the round (such as club recommendations based on current round distances), or
Using any physiological information recorded during the round.
(4) Audio and Video.
Allowed.
Listening to audio or watching video on matters unrelated to the competition being played (such as a news report or background music). But in doing so, consideration should be shown to others (see Rule 1.2).
Not Allowed.
Listening to music or other audio to eliminate distractions or to help with swing tempo, or
Watching video of the competition that helps the player in choosing a club, making a stroke, or deciding how to play during the round, except that a player may watch video that is being broadcast to spectators at the course, such as on a video scoreboard.
See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule G-8 (the Committee may adopt a Local Rule prohibiting or restricting the use of audio and video devices during a round).(5) Gloves and Gripping Agents.
Allowed.
Using a plain glove that meets the requirements in the Equipment Rules,
Using resin, powders and other moisturizing or drying agents, or
Wrapping a towel or handkerchief around the grip.
Not Allowed.
Using a glove that does not meet the requirements in the Equipment Rules, or
Using other equipment that gives an unfair advantage with hand position or grip pressure.
(6) Stretching Devices and Training or Swing Aids.
Allowed.
Using any equipment for general stretching (other than in making a practice swing), whether the equipment is designed for stretching, for use in golf (such as an alignment rod placed across the shoulders) or for any purpose unrelated to golf (such as rubber tubing or a section of pipe).
Not Allowed.
Using any type of golf training or swing aid (such as an alignment rod or a weighted headcover or “donut”) or a non-conforming club in any way that creates a potential advantage by helping the player in preparing for or making a stroke (such as help with swing plane, grip, alignment, ball position or posture).
Further guidance on the use of equipment described above and other types of equipment (such as clothing and shoes) is found in the Equipment Rules.A player who is uncertain whether they may use a piece of equipment in a particular way should ask the Committee for a ruling (see Rule 20.2b).See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule G-6 (the Committee may adopt a Local Rule prohibiting the use of motorized transportation during a round).
4.3b
Equipment Used for Medical Reasons
(1) Medical Exception. A player is not in breach of Rule 4.3 if they use equipment to help with a medical condition, so long as:
The player has a medical reason to use the equipment, and
The Committee decides that its use does not give the player any unfair advantage over other players.
See Rule 25.3a (status of prosthetic devices); Rule 25.4f (application of Rule 4.3 for assistive mobility).(2) Tape or Similar Coverings. A player may use adhesive tape or a similar covering for any medical reason (such as to prevent an injury or help with an existing injury), but the tape or covering must not:
Be applied excessively, or
Help the player more than is necessary for the medical reason (for example, it must not immobilize a joint to help the player swing the club).
A player who is uncertain about where or how tape or similar coverings may be applied should ask the Committee for a ruling.Penalty for Breach of Rule 4.3:
Penalty for first breach: General Penalty.If the breach happens between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.
Penalty for second breach: Disqualification. This penalty applies even if the nature of the breach was entirely different than the breach resulting in the first penalty. This penalty only applies if there has been an intervening event after the first breach (see Rule 1.3c(4)).
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