Hits ball off tee with practice swing

[Beezerk]

When the Local Rule is in force and when a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The ball must be replaced.

Yeah thanks, was just making sure as I can foresee the arguments this coming season should it happen.

 

[backwoodsman]

Assuming you mean a practice swing rather than a practice stroke, that's correct.

They differ?

They do

 

[rulefan]

They differ?

There is no penalty for taking a practice swing but there is for taking a practice stroke. A stroke involves intending to hit a ball, a swing doesn't

 

[bobmac]

There is no penalty for taking a practice swing but there is for taking a practice stroke. A stroke involves intending to hit a ball, a swing doesn't

But it's not a stroke, it's a practice stroke

 

[delc]

But it's not a stroke, it's a practice stroke

Suggest that you read the definition of a 'stroke' in the rules of golf. If you accidentally hit the ball with a practice swing/stroke on the tee, it is not yet in play and you can re-tee it without penalty. In most other situations the ball is in play and you have caused it to move, incurring a one stroke penalty and the requirement to replace the ball. If you don't replace it, it becomes a two stroke penalty. There is now an exception if your ball is on the green, but only if a local rule is in place.

 

[pogle]

But it's not a stroke, it's a practice stroke

I suspect there's a bit of rules jargon confusing the issue. Under the definitions of the Rules of Golf, a practice stroke would involve intending to hit the ball, because the definition of stroke says so, and therefore the player would possibly be in breach of the rule that prohibits practicing during a round.

A practice swing doesn't involve intention to hit the ball and there is no penalty. See the note to rule 7-2.

It's a words thing, but words are important.

Edit - beaten to it...

 

[bobmac]

Suggest that you read the definition of a 'stroke' in the rules of golf

A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball,

A practice stroke is not intended to strike or move the ball, if it was it would be called a stroke but it's not, it's called a practice stroke.

Ps. Please don't tell me to read Note 1

 

[Colin L]

A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball,

A practice stroke is not intended to strike or move the ball, if it was it would be called a stroke but it's not, it's called a practice stroke.

That seems a bit muddled, Bob. If you make a swing at a ball, any ball, with the intention of hitting it, it is a stroke by definition. It could be your ball in play, it could be a wrong ball, it could be a ball you legitimately practise with between holes. If the stroke is not intended to count in your score it is a practice stroke. Without a ball, you cannot practise making a stroke; all you can do is practise your swing.

 

[Colin L]

Suggest that you read the definition of a 'stroke' in the rules of golf. If you accidentally hit the ball with a practice swing/stroke on the tee, it is not yet in play and you can re-tee it without penalty. In most other situations the ball is in play and you have caused it to move, incurring a one stroke penalty and the requirement to replace the ball. If you don't replace it, it becomes a two stroke penalty. There is now an exception if your ball is on the green, but only if a local rule is in place.

Del, if you make a supposed practice stroke on the tee, you have put a ball into play. Just delete " /stroke" from what you say and you're fine.

 

[cliveb]

This is getting mighty confusing.

If you intend to hit the ball, it's a stroke.
If you don't intend to hit the ball then it's not a stroke.
So what the hell is a "practice stroke"? Sounds like an oxymoron to me.

Specifically, if there is such a thing as a "practice stroke", and it is different to a "practice swing", can someone please explain what the physical action is that distinguishes them?

 

[bobmac]

That seems a bit muddled, Bob. If you make a swing at a ball, any ball, with the intention of hitting it, it is a stroke by definition. It could be your ball in play, it could be a wrong ball, it could be a ball you legitimately practise with between holes. If the stroke is not intended to count in your score it is a practice stroke. Without a ball, you cannot practise making a stroke; all you can do is practise your swing.

Not muddled at all.
To me a practice stroke is what you do on the putting green before you hit the putt.
A practice swing is what you do everywhere else.
Neither the practice swing or practice stroke are intended to strike or move the ball.

I know what the rules say, it doesn't mean I have to agree with them

 

[bobmac]

This is getting mighty confusing.

If you intend to hit the ball, it's a stroke.
If you don't intend to hit the ball then it's not a stroke.
So what the hell is a "practice stroke"? Sounds like an oxymoron to me.

Specifically, if there is such a thing as a "practice stroke", and it is different to a "practice swing", can someone please explain what the physical action is that distinguishes them?

The rules say a practice swing is just swinging away anywhere without a ball.
A practice stroke is when you actually practise a shot by hitting a ball.

 

[rulefan]

Not muddled at all.
To me a practice stroke is what you do on the putting green before you hit the putt.
A practice swing is what you do everywhere else.
Neither the practice swing or practice stroke are intended to strike or move the ball.

I know what the rules say, it doesn't mean I have to agree with them

So what do you call it when you see a stay ball on the fairway and decide to hit it towards the green to see if a wood is the right club? Do you get a penalty?

 

[Beezerk]

So what do you call it when you see a stay ball on the fairway and decide to hit it towards the green to see if a wood is the right club? Do you get a penalty?

Stupidity

 

[bobmac]

So what do you call it when you see a stay ball on the fairway and decide to hit it towards the green to see if a wood is the right club? Do you get a penalty?

Neither the practice swing or practice stroke are intended to strike or move the ball.

 

[cliveb]

A practice stroke is when you actually practise a shot by hitting a ball.

Neither the practice swing or practice stroke are intended to strike or move the ball.

There seems to be some contradiction between your two statements, and I remain confused as to whether (if the new LR is in force), if you accidentally move the ball with the putter when not actually trying to take your putt, there would be a penalty.

 

[bobmac]

There seems to be some contradiction between your two statements,

Not really

The rules say a practice swing is just swinging away anywhere without a ball.
A practice stroke is when you actually practice a shot by hitting a ball.

To me a practice stroke is what you do on the putting green before you hit the putt.
A practice swing is what you do everywhere else.
Neither the practice swing or practice stroke are intended to strike or move the ball

.

 

[pogle]

There seems to be some contradiction between your two statements, and I remain confused as to whether (if the new LR is in force), if you accidentally move the ball with the putter when not actually trying to take your putt, there would be a penalty.

If the new Local Rule is in place and you accidentally move the ball with the putter (assuming the ball is on the putting green), then there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.

 

[rulefan]

Why?

When the Local Rule is in force and when a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The ball must be replaced.


The words seem clear enough. The key word is 'accidentally'.

It doesn't mention strokes because they, by definition, are not accidental but intentional.
If you are simply swinging, then hitting a ball is not intentional but accidental.

 

[rulefan]

The rules say a practice swing is just swinging away anywhere without a ball.

The Rules say nothing of the sort. The Rules do not define a practice swing.

A practice stroke is when you actually practise a shot by hitting a ball.

The Rules do not define a practice stroke. They do of course define a stroke, unqualified by any other word. The definition includes an intent to hit a ball.

Some golfers are confused as to the difference between a practice swing and a practice stroke, neither of which appear in the Definitions section of the Rules book. The main feature of apractice swing is that there is no intention by the player to move any ball. It occurs when a player simulates a stroke, usually in preparation for making one. It may also be used as a loosening-up or training exercise while waiting to play. Conversely, a practice stroke is made with the intention of striking at and moving a ball, even if it is a plastic ball (ie it is a stroke by definition).