5-2. Foreign Material
Foreign material must not be applied to a ball for the purpose
of changing its playing characteristics.

5-3. Ball Unfit for Play
A ball is unfit for play if it is visibly cut, cracked or out of
shape. A ball is not unfit for play solely because mud or other
materials adhere to it, its surface is scratched or scraped or its
paint is damaged or discoloured.
If a player has reason to believe his ball has become unfit for
play during play of the hole being played, he may lift the ball
without penalty to determine whether it is unfit.
Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention
to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellowcompetitor
in stroke play and mark the position of the ball.
He may then lift and examine it provided that he gives his
opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to
examine the ball and observe the lifting and replacement. The
ball must not be cleaned when lifted under Rule 5-3. If the
player fails to comply with all or any part of this procedure, he
incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If it is determined that the ball has become unfit for play
during play of the hole being played, the player may substitute
another ball, placing it on the spot where the original ball lay.
Otherwise, the original ball must be replaced. If a player
substitutes a ball when not permitted and he makes a stroke at
the wrongly substituted ball, he incurs the general penalty for
a breach of Rule 5-3, but there is no additional penalty under
this Rule or Rule 15-1.
If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is
cancelled and the player must play a ball without penalty as
nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was
played (see Rule 20-5).

Note: If the opponent, marker or fellow-competitor wishes to
dispute a claim of unfitness, he must do so before the player
plays another ball.
(Cleaning ball lifted from putting green or under any other
Rule – see Rule 21)

4-1. Form and Make of Clubs
a. General
The player’s clubs must conform with this Rule
b. Wear and Alteration
A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to
conform after wear through normal use. Any part of a club
that has been purposely altered is regarded as new and must,
in its altered state, conform with the Rules.

4-2. Playing Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material
a. Playing Characteristics Changed
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a
club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any
other means.
b. Foreign Material
Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the
purpose of influencing the movement of the ball.

4-3. Damaged Clubs: Repair and Replacement
a. Damage in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the
normal course of play, he may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the
stipulated round; or
(ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired;
or
(iii) as an additional option available only if the club is unfit
for play, replace the damaged club with any club. The
replacement of a club must not unduly delay play and
must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play
by any other person playing on the course.

Note: A club is unfit for play if it is substantially damaged, e.g.
the shaft is dented, significantly bent or breaks into pieces; the
clubhead becomes loose, detached or significantly deformed;
or the grip becomes loose. A club is not unfit for play solely
because the club’s lie or loft has been altered, or the clubhead
b. Damage Other Than in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged other
than in the normal course of play rendering it non-conforming
or changing its playing characteristics, the club must not
subsequently be used or replaced during the round.
c. Damage Prior to Round
A player may use a club damaged prior to a round provided
the club, in its damaged state, conforms with the Rules.
Damage to a club that occurred prior to a round may be
repaired during the round, provided the playing
characteristics are not changed and play is not unduly delayed.

4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs
a. Selection and Addition of Clubs
The player must not start a stipulated round with more than
fourteen clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that
round except that, if he started with fewer than fourteen clubs,
he may add any number provided his total number does not
exceed fourteen.
The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play
 and the player must not add or borrow any club
selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
b. Partners May Share Clubs
Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number
of clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not
exceed fourteen.

c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-3a(iii) or
Rule 4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his
opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor
in stroke play immediately upon discovery that a breach has
occurred. The player must not use the club or clubs for the
remainder of the stipulated round.