Rules question · Rule 23.9a · Expert
Four-ball with 15 clubs: who gets the penalty?
In Four-Ball stroke play, you notice on the 2nd hole that you have 15 clubs in your bag. Your partner has their own 14. Who gets the penalty?
Answer
Both of you, two penalty strokes each on holes 1 and 2
In Four-Ball a penalty normally applies only to the player who committed the breach. For too many clubs in stroke play, however, the partner gets the same penalty. Two penalty strokes for each hole where the breach happened, up to four.