Can't find exact rule

[Hoselrockets]

This is a very important question and a beer is on the line. I know if you address the ball and intend to hit the ball but swing and miss you must count a stroke right? Well it happened today and I said no you had a 6 because you intended to hit the ball but missed?

Am I correct?

What is the exact USGA rule so I can have my proof for my brewski?

Thanks.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules.html


Under the definitions on the left side. Go down to "Stroke" and enjoy that beer my friend.

[Hoselrockets]

Yes I did find the "definition" but it doesn't exactly say the rule number? Is it an actual rule in golf or is just a gentlemans rule?

I'm thirsty???? Please help...

[PiKapp23]

Yes I did find the "definition" but it doesn't exactly say the rule number? Is it an actual rule in golf or is just a gentlemans rule?

It's not specifically listed in the rules as a 'rule'. Rather, a 'stroke' is defined and then that defintion is used throughout the rest of the rules. Rule 14 does specifically mention the definition of 'stroke' again, if that helps.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I've always known it as if you have intent to hit, then it's a stroke.

[Fourputt]

Yes I did find the "definition" but it doesn't exactly say the rule number? Is it an actual rule in golf or is just a gentlemans rule?

The definitions ARE part of the rules. Without knowing the definitions, you can't really apply the Rules. The definition of a

stroke tells you all you need to know to answer your question. You don't need a rule number. If he intended to strike the ball, then he made a stroke. It counts toward his score on that hole. Simple, basic concept of golf. When you attend a USGA Rules Workshop, there is a 100 question exam on the 4th day. A significant number of the questions can be answered correctly just from knowing the definitions in the Rule book.

[jojoampt]

I was under the impression that if someone wiffed on a tee shot, it didnt count, because the ball wasnt actually "in play" yet. True or false?

[IowaChop]

I was under the impression that if someone wiffed on a tee shot, it didnt count, because the ball wasnt actually "in play" yet. True or false?

False, Your intent was to hit the ball but you missed. That is a stroke.

[microcrayfish]

In my part of the world he doesn't just owe you a beer for getting the rule wrong he owes you a gin for doing it in the first place, hence why it's referred to as a gin shot. And yes, as others have stated, it does count as a stroke.

[Fourputt]

I was under the impression that if someone wiffed on a tee shot, it didnt count, because the ball wasnt actually "in play" yet. True or false?

You are thinking of the situation where you accidentally knock the ball off the tee... that is not a penalty because the ball isn't yet in play, and it isn't a stroke because you didn't intend to strike the ball.

If you attempt to hit it and miss, then it's a stroke, no matter where the ball lies.

[jojoampt]

Ahhh, you are correct sir. That is what I was thinking.

You are thinking of the situation where you accidentally knock the ball off the tee... that is not a penalty because the ball isn't yet in play, and it isn't a stroke because you didn't intend to strike the ball.

[iacas]

If you attempt to hit it and miss, then it's a stroke, no matter where the ball lies.

And if you subsequently knock the ball off the tee accidentally, that's a penalty because the ball is in play now.

[Fourputt]

And if you subsequently knock the ball off the tee accidentally, that's a penalty because the ball is in play now.

Good point. Once you have made a stroke at the ball, it's in play even if you whiffed it.

[Norm3333]

You are thinking of the situation where you accidentally knock the ball off the tee... that is not a penalty because the ball isn't yet in play, and it isn't a stroke because you didn't intend to strike the ball.

Then why do you believe that grounding your club behind the ball for a putt and the ball subsequently moves due to wind, is a just rule? They don't "intend" to "strike" the ball.

[Jared]

My least favorite running golf joke. You tee the ball, step up and it fall off the tee.

Invariably someone in your group says "that's one".

[Fourputt]

Then why do you believe that grounding your club behind the ball for a putt and the ball subsequently moves due to wind, is a just rule? They don't "intend" to "strike" the ball.

I don't understand the relevance. What does one have to do with the other? In one case you have made a stroke at a ball, in the other you have incurred a penalty because you have met the definition of addressing the ball and are deemed to have caused it to move.

You are trying to compare apples and oranges.

[kafka01]

There is another possibility - if you intent to hit and then figure that something disturbed your back-/downswing you still can interrupt (swing over the ball and try to stop the swing as soon as possible) - that doesnt count as penalty - like Tiger did 1 or 2 years ago.

[Fourputt]

There is another possibility - if you intent to hit and then figure that something disturbed your back-/downswing you still can interrupt (swing over the ball and try to stop the swing as soon as possible) - that doesnt count as penalty - like Tiger did 1 or 2 years ago.

But in your scenario, his intent changed before the club reached the ball. That is different from a whiff, where your intent never changed all the way through the swing.