Golf
How Many Golf Clubs Can You Carry in a Bag? Quick Guide!
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, following golf’s rules on club limits can save you from penalties and improve your game. Golfers are allowed to carry up to 14 clubs in their bag.
Golf Clubs and Equipment at a Beautiful Fall Course//Getty Images
How Many Clubs Can You Legally Carry In A Golf Bag?
According to the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A, the maximum number of clubs allowed in a golf bag is 14 clubs.
This rule applies to all official tournaments and professional play. Exceeding this limit can lead to penalties. It does not matter whether the violation is intentional or accidental – either way; one can assume that one will be punished for breaking the rules.
Penalties for Exceeding the Golf Club Limit
If you carry more than 14 clubs during a game, you’ll face penalties. These are clearly defined in the regulations stated by the USGA:
In match play, the penalty is one hole for each extra club, up to a maximum of two holes. In stroke play, you lose two strokes per extra club, up to a maximum of four strokes. Penalties are designed to maintain fairness and ensure that no player has an advantage by carrying extra equipment.
Joel Dahmen was penalised four shots at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open for having too many shots in his bag – an error he realised on the fourth tee.
What Clubs Make Up a Typical Golf Bag?
Players can adjust their golf bag to suit their style and plan, but a typical golf bag usually consists of a somewhat similar group of clubs.
Drivers are for shots off the tee designed to travel a long distance for par-4 or par-5 holes. Usually, players only have one driver, but there are exceptions.
Phil Mickelson famously used two drivers during a successful run in 2006 and has used the same strategy since then.
Woods are more precise and less powerful than drivers but ultimately used for similar ends.
Irons are more versatile clubs to be used off the tee and in alternative situations across the golf course. Wedges are used for close-range shots, while putters are used once the ball is already on the green.
| Club | Function |
| Driver | Long, powerful shots off the tee. |
| 3-Wood and 5-Wood | Alternative clubs to the driver, often offering less power but more precise control. |
| 3-Iron to 9-Iron | Versatile clubs used for a variety of purposes, ranging from teeing on shorter holes to hitting off the fairway or green. They can even be used to take the ball out of bunkers or shallow water. |
| Sand Wedge | Used for close-range shots that require precise control. The sand wedge is designed for bunkers and short, high shots. |
| Pitching wedge | The pitching wedge is designed for full shots and chips. |
| Lob Wedge or Gap Wedge | Gap wedges are used for shots not quite made for a pitching wedge but not quite for a sand wedge either. Lob wedges have the highest loft of all wedges, making them ideal for avoiding hazards. |
| Putter | For shots on the green to sink the ball into the hole. |
Can You Use Fewer Than 14 Clubs in Golf?
Absolutely! The rule states that 14 is the maximum. You can carry fewer clubs if you prefer. Many beginners start with fewer clubs to make the game simpler. Some seasoned players also choose fewer clubs to reduce the weight of their bag or to focus on mastering specific shots.
As long as you have 14 or fewer clubs, you can have any amount and any combination of them. Even the very best players have unconventional strategies when it comes to golf clubs at times.
How Many Clubs Can You Carry in High School Golf?
In high school golf, the same 14-club limit applies as in professional and amateur tournaments. This rule is enforced by organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in the U.S., which aligns with the USGA and R&A regulations.
Leonard Solms is a freelance journalist who has been covering local and international sport from South Africa since 2015. Best known for his work for ESPN, he has also written for Al Jazeera, The Continent, New Frame, Planet Rugby and GiveMeSport among several other publications.