You Can Keep Playing With a Damaged Club – But There’s a Catch

Ever damaged a club mid-round and wondered what to do next? The good news is you can keep playing with a damaged club – but whether you can replace it depends on how it got damaged.

Back in 2023, when the Rules of Golf got a much-needed overhaul, the rules were changed. If your club is damaged during the normal course of play – maybe your driver cracks after a tee shot or your putter bends as you pull it from your bag – you can continue using it or even replace it. It’s all covered in Rule 4.1a.

It was a big change from the old rules, which didn’t allow any replacement.

But here’s the catch: if you break your club in frustration—slamming it into the ground, wrapping it around a tree, or taking your anger out on your bag—you’re stuck with it.

You can still use it if it’s playable, but getting a replacement is off the table.

So, while you won’t be punished for accidental club damage anymore, losing your temper could still leave you with a bent 7-iron for the rest of the round.

Keep calm and play on.