Clubs and balls must conform to the strict standards set by the USGA. You may carry a maximum of 14 clubs in your golf bag. If you start the round with less, you may add clubs until you reach the maximum. If you start with more than 14 clubs and the violation is discovered after teeing off on the second hole, it’s a two-stroke penalty on each of the first two holes in stroke play or loss of the first two holes in match play. If a club is damaged in the normal course of play, you may repair it or replace it. However, if you have a temper tantrum and damage or break your club, you are not allowed to replace it, and you cannot borrow a club from another player.
Ball Guidelines
If a ball is unfit for play (i.e. cut, cracked or out of shape), you can replace it. A scratch or a scuff does not qualify as cause for replacing your ball. If you want to lift a ball to determine whether it is unfit, you must announce what you are doing, mark the ball and then show it to your opponent. You are not permitted to clean the ball. It’s a one-stroke penalty if you do not follow this procedure. If a ball breaks after being struck, the stroke is canceled, and you may play a new ball from the same spot.