Removing Clubs

On hole #14, a player's stroke from just off the green sent his ball scurrying towards my clubs lying on the green:

I lifted my clubs so that they would not affect where the player's ball came to rest. Was there any penalty to anyone?

First, clubs are classed as Equipment under the USGA Definition provided in the 2019 rules: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player.

Second, ordinarily players are prohibited from taking actions to affect where a ball in motion might come to rest under USGA Rule 11.3: When a ball is in motion, a player must not deliberately lift or move a loose impediment or a movable obstruction.

However, there is an EXCEPTION to Rule 11.3: This Rule does not prohibit a player from lifting or moving:

• A removed flagstick,

• A ball at rest on the putting green, or

• Equipment belonging to any player

So I was entitled to remove my clubs, even though Player A's ball was in motion and heading straight towards them.

What if I hadn’t removed them… would there be any penalty? The answer lies in Rule 11.1a: If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence:

• There is no penalty to any player.

• This is true even if the ball hits the player, any other player, or any of their caddies or equipment.

Furthermore, under Rule 11.1b: The ball must be played as it lies.

What if this incident had happened prior to the 2019 Rules update? The Rulings would be exactly the same! Many players believe that prior to 2019, if a player’s equipment deflected a ball in motion on the green, the equipment owner would be penalized. This is a fairly common misconception that may have been true at some point in time, but has not been true since at least 2014.