Hannah Holden identifies seven common equipment mistakes that can lead to penalties or disqualification. She explains rules regarding club face stickers, non-conforming groove sharpening, the 14-club limit, and why you cannot adjust driver settings or artificially heat golf balls during a round.
Remove all launch monitor stickers/dots from your club face before starting a competitive round to avoid disqualification.
Do not use thick paint or substances to fill in club face lines; use a Sharpie instead as it creates no tactile texture.
The 14-club rule carries a two-stroke penalty per hole (max 4 strokes) if you accidentally carry extra equipment.
It is illegal to adjust the loft, lie, or weight settings of your clubs once the round has begun.
Artificially heating a golf ball with hand warmers is illegal; use your pockets to keep balls warm naturally.