USGA RULE OF THE WEEK

WEEK 17 — RULE 1B, APPENDIX II - ADJUSTABILITY

Rule 4 of the Rules of Golf establishes the general parameters regarding the golf clubs that may be used or carried during a stipulated round. For example, Rule 4-1a establishes that the player's clubs must conform with the provisions of Rule 4 and the specifications and interpretations set forth in Appendix II. Rule 4-2a provides that, during a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means. In addition to the parameters set forth in Rule 4 and Appendix II, the USGA Research and Test Center, which administers the Equipment Rules, also publishes an interpretational booklet called A Guide to the Rules on Clubs and Balls.

Visit Club and Ball Rules, for this useful tool, in conjunction with Appendix II, to determine whether or not a club conforms to the Rules of Golf.

Adjustable golf equipment has recently increased in popularity. Most of the attention has been directed towards adjustable weight features in drivers and fairway woods because Rule 1b, Appendix II of the Rules of Golf (the Rules) provides that woods and irons must not be designed to be adjustable except for weight. However, putters may be designed to be adjustable other than for weight.

The USGA recently proposed a modification to the adjustability requirements of Rule 1b, Appendix II of the Rules of Golf. Visit Club Adjustability for additional information.

Once a certain type of adjustable feature is permitted for a club, the feature must meet the requirements of a three-part test:

First, the adjustment cannot be one that is readily made (Rule 1b(i), Appendix II). This means that the adjustment must require the use of a special tool, such as an Allen wrench, so that it is not possible to make the adjustment using only the fingers or something normally kept in the player's bag or pocket such as a coin, ball mark repair tool, or tee.

Secondly, once assembled, all adjustable parts of the club must be firmly fixed such that there is no reasonable likelihood of them working loose during the round (Rule 1b(ii), Appendix II). However, should the player's adjustable feature become loose during the normal course of play, the player is permitted to use the special tool to secure the part during the round.

Finally, all configurations of adjustment must conform to the Rules (Rule 1b(iii), Appendix II). This means that the club cannot be designed to be adjusted into a position that would not conform to any of the requirements set forth in Appendix II. If the player uses parts that have not been provided by the manufacturer and deemed to meet USGA standards, it is the player's responsibility to ensure that the club conforms in its modified state.

We noted above that Rule 4-2a prohibits a player from changing the playing characteristics of any club during the stipulated round. This Rule applies to any kind of adjustment, either mechanical or non-mechanical (e.g., purposely bending a shaft). Like the penalty for carrying a non-conforming club, the penalty for making changes to your club during the round is stiff – disqualification. So, it not only pays to know the playing rules, it pays to know the Rules on clubs and balls as well.

Reprinted with permission from the USGA.