You are taking a practice swing and accidently hit your ball. What do the Rules of Golf say about this situation?
It depends on where your ball is when you accidently hit the ball.
Ball in teeing area
Rule 6.2b (5) Ball Is Not in Play Until Stroke Is Made
Whether the ball is teed or on the ground, when starting a hole or playing again from the teeing area under a Rule:
• The ball is not in play until the player makes a stroke at it.
• A practice swing is not a stroke.
If the teed ball falls off the tee or is knocked off the tee by the player before the player has made a stroke at it, it may be re-teed anywhere in the teeing area without penalty.
Rule 9.4b Penalty for Lifting or Deliberately Touching Ball or Causing It to Move
If the player lifts or deliberately touches his or her ball at rest or causes it to move, the player gets one penalty stroke.
Ball on Putting green
Rule 13.1d (1) When Ball or Ball-Marker Moves on Putting Green
No Penalty for Accidentally Causing Ball to Move. There is no penalty if the player, opponent or another player in stroke play accidentally moves the player’s ball or ball-marker on the putting green.
The player must:
• Replace the ball on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated), or
• Place a ball-marker to mark the original spot.
Recap for each area of the course where your ball is when you touch the ball or cause it to move:
• Ball on tee before a stroke is made, no penalty. Retee.
• Ball on putting green, no penalty. Replace the ball or marker on its original spot.
• Ball anywhere else, One Stroke Penalty and must replace the ball or ball marker on the original spot.
Here is this month’s golf etiquette tip: As we are in high season, please do your best to keep up with the group ahead of you. If you don’t see the group ahead, you are falling behind.
