Hitting the ball twice in one shot

[coley167]

I had a bit of a debate with our trainee pro today regarding an incident that occurred involving one of his playing partners today. His PP was putting and somehow managed to hit the ball twice in making a stroke.
He advised me that his playing partner had applied a 2 shot penalty to his score. I queried this as I was under the impression that hitting the ball twice just counted at 2 shots.
We checked the rule book and then the R&A decisions book but for some reason our interpretation of the decision was different.

The rule in question is:
14-4 - Striking the Ball More Than Once
If a player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke, making two strokes in all.

There were 2 interpretations of this. My question is:
You've hit your tee shot on a par 3. You then stand over your ball to play your second shot. As you make you stroke you manage to hit the ball twice. The ball goes in the hole. The debate is would you have holed out for 3 or 4 shots?

We both had a very strong view that our interpretation is correct. Can a rules guru please clarify.

I'd appreciate your help. I was going to query with the R&A but was hoping someone could confirm on here without having to bother them

 

[Fish]

I had a bit of a debate with our trainee pro today regarding an incident that occurred involving one of his playing partners today. His PP was putting and somehow managed to hit the ball twice in making a stroke.
He advised me that his playing partner had applied a 2 shot penalty to his score. I queried this as I was under the impression that hitting the ball twice just counted at 2 shots.
We checked the rule book and then the R&A decisions book but for some reason our interpretation of the decision was different.

The rule in question is:
14-4 - Striking the Ball More Than Once
If a player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke, making two strokes in all.

There were 2 interpretations of this. My question is:
You've hit your tee shot on a par 3. You then stand over your ball to play your second shot. As you make you stroke you manage to hit the ball twice. The ball goes in the hole. The debate is would you have holed out for 3 or 4 shots?

We both had a very strong view that our interpretation is correct. Can a rules guru please clarify.

I'd appreciate your help. I was going to query with the R&A but was hoping someone could confirm on here without having to bother them

For me its as it clearly states in 14-4, your initially shot is counted and then another penalty shot for the double hit, so in relation to your par 3, your drive was 1 shot, you then double hit the putting stoke so its a 3.

 

[Tongo]

Have done this a few times myself! Particularly on hot summer days when courses are rock hard and chipping can be a bit capricious. Always applied a one stroke penalty for such an instance.

 

[Region3]

As already said, it's a 3. I don't understand how anyone can think otherwise having read the rule.

1 for the stroke and the second hit is a penalty, not a stroke.

If I remember right, it used to be 2 penalty strokes for the double hit but they changed it a few years ago.

 

[bobmac]

'If you hit the ball twice, both hits count' is the easy way to remember

 

[rulefan]

'If you hit the ball twice, both hits count' is the easy way to remember

But confusing.

If you hit the ball three or four times, .............

 

[Crow]

'If you hit the ball twice, both hits count' is the easy way to remember

Unless you hit it three or four times, then only the first two count. (I've done it )

Edit: Too slow again.

 

[Tongo]

But confusing.

If you hit the ball three or four times, .............

Unless you hit it three or four times, then only the first two count. (I've done it )

Edit: Too slow again.

Note the title of the thread.

 

[bobmac]

Unless you hit it three or four times, then only the first two count. (I've done it )

Edit: Too slow again.

I know that but that wasn't the question

 

[Crow]

Note the title of the thread.

I learnt a long time ago that the title of a thread often has little bearing on what's written in it.

 

[Tongo]

I learnt a long time ago that the title of a thread often has little bearing on what's written in it.

Yeah, fair point!

 

[guest100718]

I know that but that wasn't the question

But from your answer they come to the wrong decision if they did hit it 3 times

 

[bobmac]

But from your answer they come to the wrong decision if they did hit it 3 times

I have never seen anyone in 45 years hit the ball 3 times never mind 4 so my tip has worked for me.
Apologies for answering the question asked.

 

[guest100718]

I have never seen anyone in 45 years hit the ball 3 times never mind 4 so my tip has worked for me.
Apologies for answering the question asked.

post 7

 

[rulefan]

Hit the ball more than once in the same stroke. 1+1. One stroke, one penalty. Even easier to remember.

 

[bobmac]

post 7

I've never seen anyone in 45 years hit the ball 3 times

Hit the ball more than once in the same stroke. 1+1. One stroke, one penalty. Even easier to remember.

Not for the trainee pro apparently.

 

[drdel]

Its Golf - every time you hit the ball your score !!

 

[Crow]

Its Golf - every time you hit the ball your score !!

And also when you don't, ie the air shot, which I don't need to say I have done on more than one occasion.

 

[rulefan]

Its Golf - every time you hit the ball your score !!

???
What happens to 'your score'?

 

[Oxfordcomma]

Unless you hit it three or four times, then only the first two count. (I've done it )

Edit: Too slow again.

I'm intrigued now Crow, how does that happen? I've had to call double hits on myself a few times trying to get out of bunkers or duffing a flop shot, but how do you get to three?