Remove driver head mid-round

[Chicago Lefty]

Would removing the driver head mid-round and replacing it in the same configuration be considered adjusting the club and incur a penalty?

 

What if it was to determine why the club head was rattling, the rattle is located and fixed and replaced in the same configuration?

[rogolf]

[quote name='Chicago Lefty' timestamp='1428247605' post='11287871']
Would removing the driver head mid-round and replacing it in the same configuration be considered adjusting the club and incur a penalty? [color=#ff0000]Imo, yes, that is a breach of Rule 4-2. However, merely tightening a loose screw is not a breach.[/color]

What if it was to determine why the club head was rattling, the rattle is located and fixed and replaced in the same configuration? [color=#ff0000]Again, imo, a rattle is not a damaged club and therefore the club could not be repaired or replaced (but see the loose screw opinion above.)[/color]
[/quote]

[Chicago Lefty]

How is a rattle not a damaged club? It's definitely not a club in perfect condition.

[Stuart_G]

That's actually a very good question. while I respect rogolf's answer, I'm not so sure the answer is all that clear and can see arguments both ways.

The rule says:

[i]During a [url="http://www.usga.org/etc/designs/usga/content/rule-book/rule-14253.html#Stipulated-Round"]stipulated round[/url], the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.[/i]

If the head is removed and returned to the original position, then it could be argued that the playing characteristics were not changed.

In addition, IF the rattle was considered as damage that occurred during the course of play, the rules do allow for the club to be repaired (or repair attempted) as long as that repair returns the club to its original characteristics. (dec 4-3/2).

[rogolf]

[quote name='Chicago Lefty' timestamp='1428251259' post='11288119']
How is a rattle not a damaged club? It's definitely not a club in perfect condition.
[/quote]

Neither is a scratched or dented iron in perfect condition, but it's not damaged under the Rule.

[Newby]

[b] 4-3/2[/b]


[b] Meaning of "Repair"[/b]



Q.During a round, a player may repair a club damaged in the normal course of play, or he may have it repaired by someone else. What does the term "repair" mean within the context of Rule [url="http://www.usga.org/etc/designs/usga/content/rule-book/rule-04.html#4-3a(ii)"]4-3a(ii)[/url]?


A.The term "repair" in Rule [url="http://www.usga.org/etc/designs/usga/content/rule-book/rule-04.html#4-3a(ii)"]4-3a(ii)[/url] means to restore the club, as nearly as possible, to its condition prior to the incident that caused the damage. In doing so,[color=#FF0000] the player is limited to the [/color]grip, shaft and[color=#FF0000] clubhead used to comprise the club at the beginning of the stipulated round [/color]or, in the case of a club later added, when the club was selected for play.

When a club is damaged to the extent that the grip, shaft or clubhead has to be changed, this change exceeds what is meant by the term "repair." Such action constitutes replacement and is only permitted if the club was "unfit for play" - see Rule [url="http://www.usga.org/etc/designs/usga/content/rule-book/rule-04.html#4-3a(iii)"]4-3a(iii)[/url].