Linda,
In our weekend group of players we have a couple of guys
that like to "Address the Ball" and then take a practice swing inside
the ball promoting an inside-out swing path.
I know that once they have "Addressed the Ball" if
they were to accidentally hit the ball there would be penalties incurred; but
can they make a practice swing after addressing the ball without un-addressing
the ball first?
And on a similar note, can you make practice swings over the
top of your ball before or after "Addressing the Ball"?
Lou from Collierville, Tennessee
P.S. I read and enjoy all of your letters, thank you so much
for helping on the rules of golf.
Dear Lou,
A player has not made a stroke at his ball unless he swings
with the intention of hitting it [Definition of “Stroke”]. So technically, everything
you describe would be a practice swing; nothing you describe would constitute a
“stroke.”
However, everything you describe is setting off alarm bells
in my head. If a player takes a practice swing in what amounts to the same area
where he will make his stroke, he runs a serious risk of incurring a penalty.
For example, he might break a branch or knock down a leaf, either of which
might improve the area of his intended swing; or he might move his ball in play
(one-stroke penalty and replace the ball). And then there’s the problem of
trying to convince his companions that the swing that missed the ball was not a
whiff (which would count as a stroke).
Practice strokes near the ball are never advisable. Why risk
a penalty when you can safely swing the club a short distance to the side?
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
