When a stroke is not a stroke
By: Richard Todd
Did you see Phil Mickelson’s swing from the fairway on Saturday in the third round of the Masters at Augusta National, where he completely whiffed and missed the ball?
Is that a stroke and does it count on his scorecard? The answer is Yes, for this reason.
USGA’s definition of a ‘stroke’ says ‘A “stroke” is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking it and moving the ball’.
Whether or not there is contact, or lack of it and does it count as a stroke confuses many golfers. Rightfully so, as the answer varies depending on where you are on the golf course.
On the tee box, a stroke that misses the ball counts if the player intended to put the ball into play but if the golfer accidentally hits the ball prior to teeing off then no stroke counts.
This is most often seen in the joke about counting one stroke when your preshot waggle knocks the ball of the tee. No score actually is counted.
In the fairway or a hazard, accidental contact isn’t a stroke either, but one penalty stroke needs to be added to your score and the ball must be replaced (USGA Rule#18) to its original position. Similar to the tee box, if there was intent to move the ball but no contact was made the attempted stroke is counted.
On the green, if the ball is accidentally moved there is no penalty. Simply replace the ball to its original spot. If a stroke was attempted but missed that stroke counts too, although I’ve never seen someone miss the ball, while putting.
Note that only the golfer playing can state if his swing had intent to make contact, although it may seem rather obvious to any bystander.
Conversely, have you ever hit a golf ball twice in one swing? It’s happened to me a couple times. Usually when you’re near the green in thick rough.
Currently there’s a penalty stroke for that second contact but the ruling is slated to be removed with the USGA rules modernization effective January 1, 2019.
The next time your swing accidentally misses your ball or inadvertently hits it consider where you are on the course and remember these tips.
