Converting practice swing to a real stroke?

[cliveb]

Weird one. I was playing today and was making what I thought was a practice swing. But as I started the downswing I realised that I had actually addressed the ball which was now in line of fire. So I went through with the shot (which miraculously ended pin high on the green).

But since as I started my swing without intending it to be a stroke, was this a breach of rule 18-2 - should I have replaced the ball and taken a one shot penalty?

 

[pogle]

A stroke is the forward motion of the club with the intention of striking the ball. As you made a forward motion with the intention to strike the ball then the stroke is valid.

 

[atticusfinch]

And also, the rule is silent on when the intention must be formed. So arguably you can change a practice swing to a stroke in the last few inches before making contact.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Weird one. I was playing today and was making what I thought was a practice swing. But as I started the downswing I realised that I had actually addressed the ball which was now in line of fire. So I went through with the shot (which miraculously ended pin high on the green).

But since as I started my swing without intending it to be a stroke, was this a breach of rule 18-2 - should I have replaced the ball and taken a one shot penalty?

It's a difficult one to argue if for all intent and purposes you addressed the ball and made a stroke at the ball.

If it was obviously a practice swing away from the ball and you accidently hit it then fine - you can replace the ball without penalty as you have not made a stroke.

 

[rulefan]

If ....... you accidently hit it then fine - you can replace the ball without penalty as you have not made a stroke.

Unless he was on the tee it is a penalty under 18-2 and the ball must be replaced.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Unless he was on the tee it is a penalty under 18-2 and the ball must be replaced.

Apologies - quite right but the post was in context of the teeing ground so forgot to be specific.

 

[rulefan]

Apologies - quite right but the post was in context of the teeing ground so forgot to be specific.

I think you were making an assumption

 

[cliveb]

I think you were making an assumption

Indeed. It was actually my third shot on a par 5.

Thanks to all for confirming that I did not break a rule.

 

[Colin L]

Indeed. It was actually my third shot on a par 5.

Thanks to all for confirming that I did not break a rule.

If you think about it, all that went through your head stayed in your head. To anyone watching, it seems to me that all they would have seen was you addressing your ball and then hitting it. Had it been a duff shot, you'd have been hard pushed to convince anyone you meant it as a practice swing to begin with.

 

[cliveb]

If you think about it, all that went through your head stayed in your head. To anyone watching, it seems to me that all they would have seen was you addressing your ball and then hitting it.

Well yes, but golf is supposed to be a self-policing game. It doesn't matter whether I can "get away with it" - if I break a rule, I'm supposed to call it, even if nobody else saw it.

 

[Colin L]

Well yes, but golf is supposed to be a self-policing game. It doesn't matter whether I can "get away with it" - if I break a rule, I'm supposed to call it, even if nobody else saw it.

I wasn't t questioning your integrity - quite the reverse in fact.