AUGUSTA, Ga. — The USGA and R&A have introduced a new Local Rule that should put a smile on Justin Thomas’ face.
After holding a regular quarterly meeting this past weekend of the Joint Rules Committee, the governing bodies announced a clarification on Tuesday to the new Rules of Golf that will restore a player’s ability to replace a broken or significantly damaged club during a round, except in cases of abuse.
Under a newly established Local Rule, a club is “broken or significantly damaged” if it meets the following conditions:
• the shaft breaks into pieces, splinters or is bent (but not when the shaft is only dented) • the club face impact area is visibly deformed (but not when the club face is only scratched) • the clubhead is visibly and significantly deformed • the clubhead is detached or loose from the shaft, or • the grip is loose
However, a player is not allowed to replace his or her club solely because there is a crack in the club face or clubhead.
This Local Rule reverses a change that had been implemented under the new Rules of Golf. Prior to 2019, a club damaged during the normal course of play could be replaced during a round. But when Rule 4.1 went into effect on Jan. 1, that allowance was prohibited, although players were now free to use the damaged club for the rest of the round without any restrictions.
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