Dear Rules Crew:

In a match, as I was leaving the cart to grab my driver for the 5^th hole, I noticed I had 15 clubs in my bag. I was two-up on my opponent, Annika, at the time. I am pretty sure I incur a penalty, but how do I apply it since it is match play?

-Alexis, El Cajon

Ruling:  Alexis, there is no more sinking feeling than seeing too many clubs in your bag! Rule 4.1b will guide here about the penalty in match play. This is an adjustment penalty so you do not lose holes but we must adjust the status of the match to apply the penalty correctly.

At the end of the hole being played or just completed, the match score is revised by deducting one hole for each hole where a breach happened, with a maximum deduction of two holes in the round. Since this occurred after the conclusion of the 4^th hole, we will deduct two holes from the status of the match. So now, instead of being two-up over Annika, the match is tied heading to the 5^th hole.