Rules of Golf 2012-2015 Pocket Edition - The R&A

Appendix II 147
1. Clubs
a. General
A club is an implement designed to be used for striking the ball and generally
comes in three forms: woods, irons and putters distinguished by shape
and intended use. A putter is a club with a loft not exceeding ten degrees
designed primarily for use on the putting green.
The club must not be substantially different from the traditional and
customary form and make. The club must be composed of a shaft and a
head and it may also have material added to the shaft to enable the player
to obtain a firm hold (see 3 below). All parts of the club must be fixed
so that the club is one unit, and it must have no external attachments.
Exceptions may be made for attachments that do not affect the performance
of the club.
b. Adjustability
All clubs may incorporate features for weight adjustment. Other forms
of adjustability may also be permitted upon evaluation by the R&A. The
following requirements apply to all permissible methods of adjustment:
(i) the adjustment cannot be readily made;
(ii) all adjustable parts are firmly fixed and there is no reasonable likelihood
of them working loose during a round; and
(iii) all configurations of adjustment conform with the Rules.
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be
purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means (see Rule 4-2a).
c. Length
The overall length of the club must be at least 18 inches (0.457 m) and,
except for putters, must not exceed 48 inches (1.219 m).