Linda…on an explosion shot from the sand is it a penalty if
the club strikes the ball after it has left the sand? I ask this because
it seems to me on an explosion shot the club never actually hits the ball (i.e.,
the movement of the sand propels the ball) and therefore even if the club makes
contact while the ball is in flight it would be the first time the ball was
struck (i.e., only a single hit).
Lou from Texas
Dear Lou,
Even though the clubhead does not contact the ball, the ball
has been put into motion by the force of the club striking the sand. If the
follow-through hits the ball, you incur a penalty for a double hit. Count the
original stroke plus a one-shot penalty [Rule 14-4; Decision 14-4/3]. In the
unlikely event that your club contacts the ball a third time during that same
swing, you would still only count one stroke plus one penalty stroke – the
penalty is for contacting the ball “more than once” during a single stroke.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
