Too many clubs in Match play

[gbower]

In a match a player doesn't discover he has 15 clubs until the 16th hole. I heard a situation like this recently happened and that the player was DQ'd but I feel he should have only lost the first two holes. Any comments on this?????

[LBH]

Rule 4.4 says:
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4-4. Maximum of 14 Clubs
a. Selection and Addition of Clubs
The player must start a stipulated round with not more than 14 clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round except that, if he started with fewer than 14 clubs, he may add any number provided his total number does not exceed 14.

The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.

b. Partners May Share Clubs
Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed 14.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4a or b,
REGARDLESS OF NUMBER OF EXCESS CLUBS CARRIED:

Match play — At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred. Maximum deduction per round: Two holes.
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Looks like you are correct unless he knew he was in breach and didn't report it. Then 4.4c applies

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c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-3a(iii) or Rule 4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. The player must not use the club or clubs for the remainder of the stipulated round.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4c:
Disqualification
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[AAA]

[quote=gbower;195894]I feel he should have only lost the first two holes. [quote]

You are basically correct, no DQ, but it is a bit more complicated. The holes that are deducted are additional to the ones played in a sense.

Lets take an example.
A wins the first four holes. B discovers an extra club in his bag and declares it out of play. B has already lost the first two holes. He now loses two 'extra' holes. 6 down 14 to play.

A loses the first four holes. B as above. B loses two 'extra' holes. A is two down. 14 to play.

[BC MIST]

A wins the first four holes. B discovers an extra club in his bag and declares it out of play. B has already lost the first two holes. He now loses two 'extra' holes. 6 down 14 to play.

The idea that 10 & 8, the worst defeat possible in match play, is no longer true. If excess clubs are found in the bag on the 10th tee, with A leading the match 9 & 9, the final result would then be 11 & 9.

Or, if the breach is found immediately after a match ends 10 & 8, would the final result be 12 and 8? It would seem pointless adding two holes on to a match that is already over.

[sensfan63]

The idea that 10 & 8, the worst defeat possible in match play, is no longer true. If excess clubs are found in the bag on the 10th tee, with A leading the match 9 & 9, the final result would then be 11 & 9.

Or, if the breach is found immediately after a match ends 10 & 8, would the final result be 12 and 8? It would seem pointless adding two holes on to a match that is already over.

Just serves to embarrass the guy (or gal) even more...and well deserved!