Question from players who play a foursome together.

Are they allowed to share clubs or are players/partners restricted to carrying their clubs in a shared golf bag.

4.1b Maximum number of 14 clubs; sharing, adding and replacing clubs during a round
(1) Maximum number of 14 clubs. A player may
-not start a round with more than 14 clubs, or
-have no more than 14 clubs during the round.

If a player starts the round with fewer than 14 clubs, he may add clubs during the round up to a maximum of 14 clubs (see rule
4.1b(4) for restrictions on this).
If the player realises that he is in breach of this rule by having more than 14 clubs, he must immediately discard the excess club(s) in accordance with Rule
4.1c(1) from the game:
-If the player started the round with more than 14 clubs, he may choose which club or clubs to declare out of play.
-If the player added the excess clubs during the round, they must be declared out of play.
If the player picks up a club left by another player after the start of his round or if a club is accidentally put into the bag without his knowledge, this club is not counted towards the maximum number of 14 clubs. (But: The racket may not be used).

(2) No sharing of clubs. A player is restricted to the clubs with which he started the round or which have been added as permitted in paragraph (1):
-The player may not hit a shot with a club used by another player playing on the course (even if the other player is playing in a different group or tournament).
-If the player realises that he has infringed this rule by hitting with another player's racket, he must immediately declare the racket out of play in accordance with Rule 4.1c(1).
See Rules 22.5 and 23.7 (limited exception in forms of play with partners that allow partners to share rackets if they have no more than 14 rackets between them).

Rule 4.1b(2) Interpretations:
4.1b(2)/1 - Multiple players may carry clubs in one golf bag
The rules do not restrict multiple players (e.g. partners) from carrying their clubs in the same golf bag. However, in order not to risk a penalty under Rule 4.1b, they should ensure that the clubs are clearly assigned to each player.

Sharing clubs:

Rule 22.5
Partners are permitted to share clubs, contrary to Rule 4.1b(2), if the total number of clubs they have does not exceed 14.


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