Yes, if you swing with the intention of striking the ball and miss, the attempt counts as a stroke. A genuine practice swing with no intention to hit the ball is not a stroke, although moving the ball during it may still cause a penalty in some areas of the course.
The key is intention at the time of the forward movement, not whether contact occurred.
When the attempt counts
- 01
You try to hit the ball but swing over it: one stroke.
- 02
You begin the downswing but deliberately check it before the clubhead reaches the ball: no stroke if you successfully stop or deliberately miss.
- 03
You make a rehearsal swing beside the ball with no intention to strike it: no stroke.
What if a practice swing moves the ball?
Whether there is a penalty depends on where the ball lies and why it moved. On the teeing area before the ball is in play, it can normally be re-teed without penalty. Elsewhere, causing a ball at rest to move usually means one penalty stroke and replacement unless an exception applies.
Record it honestly
Add the missed attempt to the hole score. The next successful contact is the following stroke, even if the ball has not yet moved from its original position.
The essential point
An intended attempt counts even without contact. A practice swing does not, but any movement of the ball must still be handled under the applicable rule.
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 or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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