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Can I use my golf bag to shelter my ball from the wind?

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It’s blowing a hoolie and you’ve conjured a foolproof way of keeping Mother Nature away. But is it legal? Our expert considers this golf bag rule

A golf bag out in the wind and rain | Source: Adobe Stock

I donned a big coat for the first time in months at the weekend and the wind is starting to feel a little chilly. As that TV show everyone knows the name of is fond of saying: ‘winter is coming’.

I play on a course that’s prone to the odd breeze. That’s putting it mildly. A team of meteorological experts spend a chunk of time coming up with storm names just for our little corner of the world.

That can leave me a bit buffeted as I’m getting ready over a shot and leaves my ball a bit exposed to the elements. 

But what if I put my golf bag beside it? I’m not looking to deflect it. I want to stop the wind affecting it before I play. Can I do it, or are rules chiefs about to turn my scorecard into ice? Let’s look at this golf bag rule…

Golfers shelter from the weather under an umbrella | Source: Adobe Stock World Handicap System data Playing conditions calculation
Golfers shelter from the weather | Source: Adobe Stock

Golf bag rule: Can you use it to shelter your ball from the weather?

It all comes down to intent. In this case, I’m deliberately positioning an object for protection from the wind.

That’s not allowed and a two-stroke penalty, or loss of hole if it was match play, is coming my way for breaching Rule 10.2b (5).

It says a player must not make a stroke while getting physical help, eliminating distractions, or receiving protection from the elements.

It’s not just wind. Sunlight, rain, or other elements are also on the banned list. 

Before you panic and start remembering all the times you’ve shoved your bag down right next to your ball, the key is in the word ‘deliberately’.

If you’re purposely doing it to protect yourself or your ball from the elements, then trouble is going to find you. If it’s anything else, you can keep calm and carry on. 

Got a question for our expert?

Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.

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What do you think of this golf bag rule? Let me know by leaving a comment below, email me at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com or get in touch on X.

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About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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