An accidental hit during a genuine practice swing is not a stroke. In the teeing area for the hole being played, you may re-tee without penalty. On the putting green, replace the ball without penalty. In the general area, a bunker or a penalty area, normally add one penalty stroke and replace the ball on its original spot. Do not simply play it from where it flew.
Your ball unexpectedly flies away during a practice swing. The answer depends on your intention and where the ball was lying before the accident.
What should you do?
| Original location | What to do | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Teeing area for the hole being played | Re-tee or place the ball anywhere within that teeing area. | None |
| Putting green | Replace the ball on its original spot; estimate the spot if necessary. | None |
| General area, such as fairway or rough | Replace the ball on its original spot; estimate the spot if necessary. | One stroke |
| Bunker or penalty area | Replace the ball on its original spot; estimate the spot if necessary. | One stroke |
Even if the ball travelled a long way, the place where it came to rest is not the place to continue from after a genuine practice swing. Replacing means setting the ball down by hand on its original spot, not dropping it.
Does the accidental contact count as a stroke?
No, if the player had no intention of striking the ball. The official definition of a stroke excludes accidental contact during a practice swing. A penalty stroke for moving a ball at rest is separate from a stroke made at the ball.
If the player actually intended to strike the ball, it is a stroke and the ball is normally played from its new position. Calling the movement a 'practice swing' does not change what the player intended at the time.
For the related distinction, see does an air shot count?.
An example on the course
- 01
Your ball lies on the fairway. You accidentally hit it ten metres during a practice swing.
- 02
The practice swing itself is not a stroke. Put the ball back on its original spot.
- 03
Add one penalty stroke for moving it, then play from the original spot.
If the same accident happened on the putting green, there would be no penalty. In the teeing area for the hole being played, the ball could be re-teed without penalty.
What if the player has already played from the new spot?
When the ball should have been replaced, playing from its new location is playing from a wrong place. The consequences depend on the form of play. In a competition, clarify the facts with the committee before signing the scorecard.
For more on a moved ball, read what if your ball moves after address?.
The essential point
A genuine practice swing is not a stroke. Re-tee without penalty in the teeing area, replace without penalty on the putting green, or normally replace and add one penalty stroke elsewhere.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
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