What is the primary rule regarding the number of clubs a player can have during play?

The primary rule regarding the number of clubs a player can carry during a round of golf is that a player may only use the clubs they started with; they cannot exceed the maximum number of clubs allowed, which is 14. This rule ensures fairness and uniformity in the game, as it encourages players to plan their strategy based on a limited selection of clubs. If a player begins a round with fewer than 14 clubs, they must adhere to that number throughout the round.

The other options involve misunderstandings of the rules. For instance, while players may be able to borrow clubs in certain contexts like informal play, during an official round of golf, the clubs a player uses must be their own and they must have the maximum amount of clubs allowed in their bag from the start. Limiting a player's clubs to 10 or less does not align with the established maximum of 14 clubs in play.