Yes, you can carry more than one putter in your golf bag. The official rule from the USGA and R&A (Rule 4.1b) states you are allowed up to 14 clubs total in your bag during a round. A putter counts as one club, just like any driver, iron, or wedge. So carrying two putters is allowed, as long as you remove another club to stay at or under that 14-club limit. There is no special rule that limits you to only one putter.
Understanding the 14-Club Rule
The 14-club limit applies to every club you carry, including your putter. Many golfers mistakenly think putters are exempt or that only one is allowed. That is not true. If you carry 14 clubs and one of them is a putter, you are legal. If you carry 15 clubs and two of them are putters, you are breaking the rule.
The rule also applies per set, not per round. You cannot start a round with 13 clubs, then add a second putter from your car at the turn. Every club you use during the round must be in your bag when you tee off on the first hole. If you want to switch between two putters during a round, both must be in your bag at the start.
When Carrying Two Putters Makes Sense
Fast and Slow Green Combinations
Different greens demand different putter characteristics. On very fast greens, you might want a putter with less loft and a higher moment of inertia to prevent the ball from skidding. On slow, bumpy greens, a putter with more loft and a heavier head helps the ball track truer. Carrying two putters lets you switch based on the conditions without adjusting your stroke.
Backup for Travel or Breakage
If you travel for golf, a backup putter protects you from disaster. A broken putter mid-round can ruin your score. Having a second putter already in the bag means you can keep playing without borrowing from a playing partner or walking back to the clubhouse.
Experimenting Without Commitment
Some golfers carry a new putter alongside their old one to test it in real rounds. This is common when trying a different face insert, grip style, or alignment aid. You can compare results over several holes without the pressure of switching permanently.
Using a Putter as a Chipper
A putter can be used for chip shots from just off the green, especially if it has a low loft. Some players deliberately carry a second putter with a flatter lie angle for these shots. The club must still be listed as a conforming putter on the USGA conforming list, but that is usually the case.
The Trade-Offs You Must Consider
What You Lose by Dropping a Club
If you add a second putter, you must remove another club. Here is a breakdown of what you typically sacrifice based on which club you drop:
- Drop a wedge: You lose a scoring club from inside 100 yards. Your gap between your lob wedge and sand wedge becomes larger, making distance control harder on approach shots.
- Drop a hybrid or long iron: You lose a club for long par 3s or second shots on par 5s. Your longest iron might become a 4-iron rather than a 3-iron or hybrid.
- Drop a fairway wood: You lose distance off the tee or from the fairway on long holes. You might need to hit the driver more often, which can be less accurate.
Most golfers find the biggest scoring impact comes from dropping a wedge. The short game is where most strokes are gained or lost. If you are an average golfer, the benefit of a second putter rarely outweighs the loss of a wedge that you use multiple times per round.
Bag Space and Weight
Most golf bags have a single putter well. You can fit a second putter by sliding it into the long-club slot (where your driver goes) or using the club dividers creatively. But two putters take up space and weight. Your bag becomes heavier, and the shafts can tangle, especially in a stand bag. If you use a cart bag with a dedicated putter tube, you might need to store the second putter in the top collar, which can scratch the grip.
Mental Indecision
Carrying two putters can lead to second-guessing. On the green, you might ask yourself, “Should I use the blade or the mallet on this putt?” That hesitation kills focus. The best approach is to decide before the round which putter to use based on the green speed you practiced that morning. Then stick with that choice through the round.
Critical Considerations for Carrying Two Putters
Conformity Rules
Both putters must individually meet USGA and R&A conformity rules. That includes the ban on anchoring. You cannot anchor a putter to your chest or stomach, even if it is legal in length. Also, putter length is capped at 48 inches. If one of your putters exceeds that, it is illegal to carry, even if you never use it. The same applies to face grooves that are too deep or too sharp. If one putter is non-conforming, you are disqualified if caught.
Tournament Rules
In a tournament, the same 14-club limit applies. If you carry two putters, both must be conforming and both must be in your bag at the start of the round. If one putter breaks during the round, you can switch to the second putter without penalty. You cannot replace a broken putter with a club that was not in your bag at the start.
Bag Setup Practicalities
Here is how to store two putters without damaging your gear:
- Place one putter in the dedicated putter well or tube.
- Place the second putter in the top slot normally used for a driver. Make sure the grip sits above the other clubs to avoid twisting.
- If your bag has individual club dividers, put the second putter in the slot that is widest at the top.
- Consider a magnetic putter clip or a separate putter tube that attaches to the outside of the bag. This keeps the bag interior uncluttered, though it adds bulk.
Is It Worth It for Most Golfers?
For most amateur golfers, carrying two putters is not worth the trade-off. The scoring benefit from a second putter is small, while the loss of a club you use for full swings or short chips is large. However, there are exceptions:
- If you play on courses with wildly different green speeds (like a resort course one day and a fast private course the next), a second putter can be helpful.
- If you are a low-handicap player who rarely uses your 5-wood or hybrid, dropping that club for a backup putter is a low-risk choice.
- If you are traveling with a backup putter in your suitcase but not in your bag during the round, you are still fine. The rule only applies to clubs in your bag during play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to switch between two putters during a round?
Yes, as long as both putters were in your bag at the start of the round. You can swap between holes, or even during a hole if you return the first putter to the bag before using the second. That is impractical but legal.
Can I use a putter I borrowed from a friend if it is not conforming?
No. Every club in your bag must conform, regardless of whether you use it. If the borrowed putter has an illegal face or excessive length, you risk disqualification.
Does carrying two putters affect my handicap?
Not directly. Handicap is based on scores, not club count. But if dropping a club hurts your performance on long holes, your scores may go up, and your handicap could rise indirectly.
What is the smallest bag that can comfortably hold two putters?
A stand bag with a wide putter well (at least 4 inches in diameter) works. A cart bag with a dedicated putter tube is even better. Many Sunday bags cannot hold two putters without them interfering with each other or with your other clubs.
Is there a rule about having two putters in a tournament if one is damaged?
If a putter breaks during a round, you cannot replace it with a new club. But you can switch to your second putter if it is already in the bag. That is one reason some players carry a backup putter for tournaments.
Final Word
Now you know exactly how many putters can you carry during a round of golf. Most players get this wrong and face unnecessary penalties that hurt their game. Always follow the official 14-club rule and choose your putter wisely before stepping onto the course.
Whether you’re a casual weekend golfer or a competitive player, staying informed gives you a real advantage. Play smart, stay within the rules, and enjoy every round with total confidence. Don’t be the golfer who learns this lesson the hard way!