A new local rule has been introduced by the USGA and R&A. The new rule allows players to replace a broken or significantly damaged club during a round, except in cases of abuse. Under the local rule, a club that is “broken or significantly damaged” can be replaced if it meets certain conditions determined by the USGA and R&A and did not occur as a result of abuse. A player is allowed to replace its club if the shaft breaks into pieces, splinters, or is bent, but not when the shaft is only dented. If the clubface’s impact area is visibly deformed, detached, or loose from the shaft, or if the grip is loose, a player is also able to replace it.
However, a player is not allowed to replace his or her club solely because there is a crack in the clubface or clubhead. This new local rule reverses a change that had been implemented under the new Rules of Golf that took effect in early January. The rule stated that any damaged club could not be replaced by another club except when it is damaged during the round by an outside influence, a natural force, or by someone other than the player, partner, or his caddie.
