Re: airswing in a bad lie

It depends on if you're keeping score or not.

If you make an attempt to hit the ball, you count a stroke. Whether the ball moves 1/32" or 300 yards, if you swung with the intent to hit the ball, it's a stroke. (Which is part of the reason why high handicappers are high handicappers).

If you're not keeping score, then it's a practice swing really close to the ball.

A guy I play with had to learn to back up to take practice swings the hard way - he used to stand close to his ball to take his swing - until one round where he clipped his ball on six different occasions - adding six strokes to his score.

The USGA rules this way:
18-2(a). By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment

When a player’s ball is in play, if:
the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule, or
equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,
the player shall incur a penalty stroke. The ball shall be replaced unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun his swing and he does not discontinue his swing.

Decision 18-2a/20 Ball in Play Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing
Q. A player makes a practice swing and accidentally moves his ball in play with his club. Has he made a stroke?

A. No. He had no intention of moving the ball — see Definition of "Stroke."
However, he incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a for moving his ball in play, and the ball must be replaced.

Re: airswing in a bad lie

Ben, I think you missed the point of the question - what if you address the ball, intend to hit the ball and completely miss the ball, not moving it at all...

Although I couldn't find the exact ruling in the USGA rules, I believe the answer is yes - if you address the ball, intend to strike the ball and swing, it counts as a stroke, whether you hit the ball or not.

Re: airswing in a bad lie

I quoted the wrong ruleset - I forgot the top part of my post (which does indicate that a swing with intent is a stroke), and instead dug up the rules on swinging without intent, but striking the ball anyway.


From the USGA:

Stroke
A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke.


Therefore, if you intend to hit the ball you take a stroke.

If you don't intend to hit the ball (and do), you take a penalty stroke, and replace the ball.

Re: airswing in a bad lie

thanx guys for your help. now i must remember to make contact when i swing for the little white sucker. cheers

Re: airswing in a bad lie

I forget where i saw it but i remember seeing tiger being put off by a birds shadow and swinging over the ball... This didn't incure a penalty, and opens various shots for debate as players may claim they deliberately checked on the way through... what's the exact ruling on this?

Re: airswing in a bad lie

And this is where golf is different from every other sport in the world. Only Tiger knew if he whiffed, or pulled up. Only Tiger knew if he no longer intended to hit the ball - intent meaning to take a stroke.

Decision 14/1.5 Intent to Strike Ball Ceases During Downswing; Club Not Stopped But Path of Clubhead Altered to Avoid Striking Ball

Q. A player begins his downswing with the intention of striking the ball but decides during the downswing not to strike the ball. The player is unable to stop the club before it reaches the ball, but he is able to swing intentionally over the top of the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke?
A. No. The player has checked his downswing voluntarily by altering the path of his downswing and missing the ball even though the swing carried the clubhead beyond the ball.

However, any doubt in such a case must be resolved against the player. If, for example, the clubhead struck the ball there would be insufficient evidence to support a claim that the player had not made a stroke.