The scenario is this: A golfer steps up to the ball and makes a swing. But our poor golfer completely misses the ball - no contact at all. He whiffs it. Is that a stroke?
The answer depends on the golfer's intent. If the golfer was trying to hit the ball, then, yes, it's a stroke. However, if the golfer missed the ball intentionally - checking his swing for some reason, or intentionally raising his club up over the ball at the last instant - then no, that "whiff" is not a stroke.
The focus on intent comes from the definition of "stroke" in the Rules of Golf:
"A 'stroke' is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of fairly striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he is deemed not to have made a stroke."
That definition includes the words "checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball" (emphasis mine). Does that mean if the clubhead goes past the ball it's a stroke? Not necessarily. Again, intent is the key.
Decision 14/1.5 specifically addresses this question. A golfer begins his downswing, the Decision postulates, with the intention of hitting the ball. But during the downswing he decides not to hit the ball. Because he can't stop his club, he lifts his hands, raising the clubhead and swinging over the ball, intentionally missing it. Is that a stroke?
Decision 14/1.5 says no:
"No. The player is considered to have checked his downswing voluntarily by altering the path of his downswing and missing the ball even though the swing carried the clubhead beyond the ball."
The key takeaway: If a golfer is trying to hit the golf ball and misses, it's a stroke.
Related FAQs:
Is it a stroke if I accidentally bump the ball off the tee?
Is it a stroke if I accidentally contact the ball with a practice swing?
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