Double Hit?

[JP1111]

My playing partner was in a greenside bunker. He hit his shot and the ball hit the lip and came back at him. He took a frustrated swipe at the ball in mid air and the ball hit half way up the shaft and landed on the green. We classed it as a double hit, two strokes for the two hits plus a penalty stroke, but no one knew if this was correct. Does it make a difference whether the second contact is deliberate or accidental?

[fireman1153]

I honestly belive you made the right choice but I do not have a rule book in front of me so I am not sure either.  No matter the ruling there is definately a penalty there of some sort.  I would have also called it a double hit for the simple fact that the club was swung and the ball was struck a second time with the club before coming to a rest.  Someone else please let me know if this is the correct ruling as I would like to know as well.

[Mordan]

Originally Posted by JP1111

My playing partner was in a greenside bunker. He hit his shot and the ball hit the lip and came back at him. He took a frustrated swipe at the ball in mid air and the ball hit half way up the shaft and landed on the green.

We classed it as a double hit, two strokes for the two hits plus a penalty stroke, but no one knew if this was correct. Does it make a difference whether the second contact is deliberate or accidental?

It does make a difference if it was deliberate or accidental. If it was accidental it would be one for the initial stroke and one penalty for the ball striking him.

As it was deliberate I'd say it falls under Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions . The penalty is 2 strokes or disqualification if it is a serious breach. As his ball ended up on the green rather than back in the bunker it probably qualifies as a serious breach, although I'd defer to the more knowledgable rules gurus around here on where the line is around a serious breach.

[Dormie1360]

Rule 1-2 is intent based.   Rule 14-4, Striking the ball more than once is not, (it's an accident).  Mordan is correct in that Rule 1-2 governs.  I would say a serious breach in stroke play....a DQ.  If it were match play I'm thinking no....so a loss of hole.

Just to clear up Rule 14-4 striking a ball twice .....it's a one stroke penalty and you play the ball where it lies.  Rule 19-2 covers if the ball strikes the player after a stroke.  Again a one stroke penalty and you play the ball as it lies. (Unless it wound up in your shirt, etc.)

1-2/0.5

Serious Breach of Rule 1-2

Q. Should the standard for determining whether a serious breach of Rule 1-2 has occurred be the same in match play and stroke play?

A. In deciding whether a player has committed a serious breach of Rule 1-2 , the Committee should consider all aspects of the incident. Given the different impact on players in match play and stroke play, it is possible for the same act to constitute a serious breach of Rule 1-2 in stroke play but not in match play. In many cases in match play (e.g., a player who intentionally stops his ball from entering a water hazard), a penalty of loss of hole is sufficient while in stroke play the player should be disqualified for a serious breach. In some cases (e.g., the purposeful act of damaging the line of putt referred to in Decision 1-2/1 ), a penalty of disqualification in match play may be appropriate. (Revised