What is the penalty for a player who accidentally has more than 14 clubs if they are aware just before starting a round?

When a player realizes they have more than the allowed limit of 14 clubs just before starting a round, the correct action is to leave the excess clubs behind without penalty. According to the Rules of Golf, a player is entitled to carry only 14 clubs during a round. However, if they become aware of exceeding that limit before play begins, they can make adjustments without facing a penalty. This allows players to comply with the rules and proceed with the round using an appropriate amount of clubs.

Choosing to leave the extra clubs behind ensures that the player does not infringe on the regulations, and they can continue with the round legally and fairly. Other options involve penalties or actions that wouldn’t be applicable in this scenario since noticing the situation before starting the round provides an opportunity to correct the mistake without consequence.