Ruling question

[slinkee]

Yesterday I had a ball lay up on top of a pile of leaves next to a fence. As a righty, I had to make a left-handed swing and in the process, I missed the ball completely but took away the leaves to the side of the ball, involuntarily forcing the ball to roll about 12 inches away from it's previous position.

Does this count as a stroke even though my club head never made contact with the ball? In the end, I counted it as a stroke, but what's the ruling on this?

[geezer]

If you swung with the intent of hitting the ball then it counts as a stroke. Thats hardly a definative quote from the rule book, but I think thats the ruling.

[Andy_Mac]

Would there not be relief from a fence?

[slinkee]

Would there not be relief from a fence?

Well that's what I thought to but it was resting about 6 inches away from it so I don't really know ... what the rulling is on a situation like that. If your ball is up against a man-made object such as a fence can you not put it 2 club lengths away no closer to the pin?

[sacm3bill]

If the fence defined out of bounds, as is usually the case, there is no free relief.

If it was not an out of bounds or perimeter fence, the immovable obstruction rule applies - 1 club length from nearest point of relief.

Best way to remember one club length vs two: I think in most if not all cases you get one length when taking free relief, and two lengths when you are taking a penalty stroke.

[hurley9192]

If the fence defined out of bounds, as is usually the case, there is no free relief.

in addition to this spot on statement...your example of where you didn't make contact would be similar to a sand shot. If you "intend" to make a stroke and move the ball in the process, then it is a stroke. You don't have to technically have face to ball contact, just intent of making a stroke. same thing as a whiff.

[connor35]

Your original statement implies that you believe an ordinary swing and a miss (where nothing moves) would not count as a stroke. But it does. Every time.

If you intend to hit the ball and swing, it's a stroke.

[Mr Eagle]

Slinkee, If there were no options for relief from the fence, why not declare your ball unplayable (1 shot pen).Leave the trick shots to Seve