Using Opponent's Club by Mistake

[mikejohnchapman]

Didn't happen to me but I asked if it was a penalty as it happened to a friend.

He was playing in a singles match and happened to be using the same clubs as his opponent. Having had to wait to play to a par three the opponent pulled a club from his bag and hit a shot. When my friend went to play he found his club missing as the opponent had taken the club from the wrong bag. I was asked if this incurred a penalty.

My reaction was yes as he was using more than 14 clubs so loss of hole. I know you aren't allowed to share clubs (except in foresomes with a 14 limit) but I couldn't see anything in the decisions to verify.

Any thoughts.

 

[backwoodsman]

Yes; a penalty of loss of hole. He was in breach of the second bit of rule 4-4a which says you can't borrow a club selected for play by any other person playing on the course. In the decisions, Decision 4-4a/5 covers it (although it does cover a bit more also). And although the decision describes a strokeplay situation, it is equally applicable to matchplay - only the penalty is different.

 

[MashieNiblick]

As it was a match, the penalty for breach of Rule 4-4 will be as follows;

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.

As I understand it therefore the player doesn't simply lose the hole. It would seem they play out the hole and then adjust the match score afterwards. So if they are a/s and the first player (the borrower) wins the hole to go 1up the match is adjusted back to a/s. Would be good to have that confirmed.

In addition, under the notes to Rule 2-5 the player whose club was borrowed my overlook the breach as long as they don't agree to this between them.

2-5 Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims

Note 1: A player may disregard a breach of the Rules by his opponent provided there is no agreement by the sides to waive a Rule (Rule 1-3).

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Did this happen yesterday Mike? If so, can we claim the match??

 

[rulefan]

As I understand it therefore the player doesn't simply lose the hole. It would seem they play out the hole and then adjust the match score afterwards. So if they are a/s and the first player (the borrower) wins the hole to go 1up the match is adjusted back to a/s. Would be good to have that confirmed.

That is correct.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Did this happen yesterday Mike? If so, can we claim the match??

Sadly not - one discussed in the bar afterwards as old golfers do.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

As it was a match, the penalty for breach of Rule 4-4 will be as follows;

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.

As I understand it therefore the player doesn't simply lose the hole. It would seem they play out the hole and then adjust the match score afterwards. So if they are a/s and the first player (the borrower) wins the hole to go 1up the match is adjusted back to a/s. Would be good to have that confirmed.

In addition, under the notes to Rule 2-5 the player whose club was borrowed my overlook the breach as long as they don't agree to this between them.

2-5 Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims

Note 1: A player may disregard a breach of the Rules by his opponent provided there is no agreement by the sides to waive a Rule (Rule 1-3).

So just to be clear - they start all square. if the second player wins the hole anyway and the score is than adjusted is he then 2 up?

 

[backwoodsman]

So just to be clear - they start all square. if the second player wins the hole anyway and the score is than adjusted is he then 2 up?

Correct - if the guilty party already lost the first hole, then he is two down. Sorry for my lack of clarity in original reply. See decision 4-4a/9 which has the full monty...