14/1 Club Stopped on Downswing by Agency Other Than Player
Q. If a player starts his downswing and his clubhead is deflected or stopped by an agency other than himself, e.g., the branch of a tree, is he deemed to have made a stroke?
A. Yes.
14/1.5 Intent to Strike Ball Ceases During Downswing; Club Not Stopped But Path of Clubhead Altered to Avoid Striking
Ball
Q. A player begins his downswing with the intention of striking the ball but decides during the downswing not to strike the ball. The player is unable to stop the club before it reaches the ball, but he is able to swing intentionally over the top of the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke?
A. 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.
If the player had not successfully checked his downswing (i.e., he had struck the ball), he is considered to have made a stroke.
Any doubt regarding the player’s intent must be resolved against the player. (Revised)
14/2 Club Breaks During Backswing; Swing Completed
Q. The head of a player’s club separated from the shaft during his backswing. The player completed the swing but missed the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke?
A. No. A stroke is “the forward movement of the club....” A shaft by itself is not a club — see Rule 4-1a.
14/3 Clubhead Separates from Shaft on Downswing
Q. A player starts his downswing and the clubhead separates from the shaft. The player continues his swing but no contact is made with the ball. Did the player make a stroke?
A. Yes.
14/4 Club Breaks During Downswing; Swing Stopped Short of Ball; Clubhead Falls and Moves Ball
Q. The shaft of a player’s club broke during his downswing. The player stopped his swing short of the ball, but the clubhead fell and moved the ball. What is the ruling?
A. The player did not make a stroke — see Definition of “Stroke.”
If the ball was not in play, i.e., the incident involved a tee shot, no penalty was incurred, and a ball must be played from the teeing ground.
If the ball was in play, the player would incur a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a or -2b and the ball must be replaced.
14/5 Club Breaks During Downswing; Swing Completed But Misses Ball; Clubhead Falls and Moves Ball
Q. The shaft of a player’s club broke during his downswing. The player continued his swing and missed the ball. However, the clubhead fell and moved the ball. What is the ruling?
A. The stroke counts but the player incurs no penalty. The ball must be played as it lies.
14/6 Ball Popped Up Swung at in Disgust
Q. A player’s ball is lying against a root. He makes a stroke and the ball pops up into the air. In disgust, he swings at it on the way down, but misses. Was the swing in disgust a stroke?
A. No. Such an instinctive swing in anger is not a stroke. Nor should the player be considered to have taken action to influence the movement of the ball in breach of Rule 1-2. However, if the player had struck the ball accidentally while it was in motion, he would have incurred a penalty of one stroke under Rule 19-2. (Revised)
Ball Knocked from Lip of Hole in Disgust — See 18-2a/23.
14/7 Striking at Tree Branch to Move Ball Lodged Higher in Branch
Q. A player’s ball is lodged in a tree branch beyond the reach of a club. The player swings at a lower part of the branch with a club for the purpose of dislodging the ball, and the ball falls to the ground. Has the player made a stroke?
A. No, because the player did not strike at the ball — see Definition of “Stroke.” The player incurred a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a (Ball at Rest Moved by Player) and must replace the ball.
Since the spot where the ball lay is unreachable and the ball therefore cannot be replaced, the player must proceed under the unplayable ball Rule, incurring an additional penalty stroke — see Decisions 18-1/9 and 18-2a/29.
Meaning of Damage Sustained in “Normal Course of Play” — See 4-3/1.
Other Decisions Relating to Rule 14:
Stroke at Own Ball Dislodges Concealed Ball — See 15/2.
Ball Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing Prior to Tee Shot — See 18-2a/19.
Ball Moved Accidentally by Practice Swing Through the Green — See 18-2a/20.
Ball Moved Accidentally by Backward Movement of Club After Stroke Misses — See 18-2a/22.
Player Misses Ball Purposely in Foursome So Partner Would Play Ball Over Water — See 29-1/7.
14-1/1 Playing Stroke with Back of Clubhead
Q. May a player play a left-handed stroke with the back of the head of a right-handed club?
A. Yes. A player may play a stroke with any part of the clubhead, provided the ball is fairly struck at (Rule 14-1) and the club conforms with Rule 4-1.
14-1/2 Striking Ball with Billiard-Type Motion
Q. A player holed a short putt by squatting behind the ball (but not on an extension of the line of putt behind the ball) and striking the ball with the bottom of the clubhead, using a motion similar to that used in playing a shot in billiards or shuffleboard. Was the player in breach of Rule 14-1?
A. Yes. Such a manner of moving the ball constitutes a push in golf.
14-1/3 Putting with Wrong End of Putter
Q. A player misses a short putt and hastily holes the ball with the wrong (handle) end of his putter. What is the ruling?
A. The player incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play for a breach of Rule 14-1, which requires that the ball be struck at with the head of the club. In stroke play, the stroke with the wrong end of the putter counts, and, since the ball was holed, the player had completed play of the hole.
14-1/4 Striking Ball with Half an Inch Backswing
Q. A player’s ball lies close to an out of bounds fence, but there is room behind the ball to insert an iron club or a putter and leave a space of half an inch between the ball and the face of the club. If the player plays a stroke with such a limited backswing, is he in breach of Rule 14-1?
A. It is possible to strike a ball fairly with a half inch backswing. However, in most such cases the player would be pushing the ball, contrary to Rule 14-1. In the absence of strong evidence to the contrary, it should be ruled that the player has pushed the ball.
In order to strike the ball fairly, it must be swung at with the clubhead. If the ball is moved by any other method, it has been pushed, scraped or spooned.
If a ball is fairly struck at, there is only momentary contact between the clubhead and the ball or whatever intervenes between the clubhead and the ball.
14-1/5 Moving Ball Lying Against Fence by Striking Other Side of Fence
Q. A player’s ball lies against a board at the base of an out of bounds fence. He swings a club from the out of bounds side of the fence against the board, i.e., swings at the ball with the board intervening between the club and the ball. The stroke moves the board which causes the ball to move away from the fence. Is such a stroke permissible?
A. Yes. The player fairly struck at the ball even though other material intervened between the club and the ball. The Definition of “Out of Bounds” allows a player to “stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds.”
14-1/6 Player Holds Club with Left Hand and Moves Ball by Striking Shaft with Other Hand
Q. A player addresses his ball lying in high grass on a steep bank. His ball does not move, but the player believes it will move if he takes a backswing. Accordingly, the player holds the club with his left hand and strikes the shaft of the club with his right hand, thereby moving the ball. Is this permissible?
A. No. The player pushed the ball, contrary to Rule 14-1.
14-1/7 Using More Than One Club to Make Stroke
Q. A player, whose ball was lodged in a bush, swung at the ball with three clubs to minimize the chance of missing it. Is this permissible?
A. No. Rule 14-1 requires that the ball be struck at with the “head of the club;” the word “club” is in the singular. The player was in breach of this Rule when he swung at the ball with three clubs.
14-2/1 Player Aligns Partner’s Club Before Stroke
Q. A player aligns his partner’s putter and then moves away before his partner plays. Is this permissible?
A. Yes. Rule 14-2 (Assistance) does not apply prior to making a stroke.
14-2/2 Player Holds Umbrella Over Own Head When Playing Stroke
Q. A player playing in the rain holds an umbrella over his head with one hand while holing a very short putt, gripping the putter with the other hand. Is this - permissible?
A. Yes. Rule 14-2 prohibits a player, while making a stroke, from accepting protection from the elements from someone other than himself. However, it does not prohibit him from protecting himself.
14-2/3 Caddie Shields Player from Sun During Stroke
Q. May a player’s caddie purposely stand between the player and the setting sun so that the sun’s glare is not in the player’s face while he is playing a stroke?
A. No. Such procedure is a breach of Rule 14-2.
Material Applied to Clubhead to Reduce Glare or for Protection — See 4-1/5.
14-2/4 Caddie Inadvertently Stands on Extension of Line of Play Behind Ball
Q. A player’s caddie inadvertently stood on an extension of the player’s line of play behind the ball when the player made a stroke. The caddie was watching another player play from the next tee. Neither the player nor his caddie was aware that the caddie was so located. Was the player subject to penalty under Rule 14-2b?
A. No. The purpose of Rule 14-2b is to prohibit a caddie from positioning himself behind the player while the player makes a stroke in order to advise the player on alignment or otherwise assist him. In this case, the caddie was not so positioned.
The same ruling would apply if the player’s caddie inadvertently stood on an extension of the line of putt behind the ball during the stroke.
14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance-Measuring Device
Q. May a Committee, by Local Rule, permit the use of distance-measuring devices?
A. Yes. A Committee may establish a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only (see the Note to Rule 14-3). However, the use of a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) is not permitted regardless of whether such an additional function is used.
In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a distance-measuring device would be contrary to Rule 14-3. (Revised)
Reflector on Flagstick — See 17/3.5
14-3/1 Distance Meter Attached to Golf Cart
Q. May a player attach a meter to his golf cart for the purpose of measuring the distances of shots?
A. No. Such a meter is an artificial device and its use for the purpose of measuring distance is a breach of Rule 14-3. However, see also the Note to Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/2 Pencil or Score Card Used to Assist in Gauging Distance
Q. It is possible to gauge distance to a putting green by holding a score card or pencil at arm’s length and comparing it with the height of the flagstick. Is such a practice permissible?
A. Yes. Provided the score card or pencil has not been specially marked, its use in this manner is traditionally accepted and Exception 2 to Rule 14-3 applies.
Use of anything specially marked to gauge distance is a breach of Rule 14-3. However, see also the Note to Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/3 Eyeglasses and Binoculars
Standard eyeglasses and binoculars that have no range-finder attachments are not artificial devices within the meaning of the term in Rule 14-3. However, see also the Note to Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/4 Use of Compass During Round
Q. A player uses a compass during a round to assist him in determining wind direction or the direction of the grain in the greens or for some other similar reason. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?
A. Yes. A compass is considered to be an artificial device and must not be used for these purposes. (Revised)
14-3/5 Booklet Providing Distances Between Various Points
Q. A booklet contains illustrations of the holes on a course, including isolated trees, bunkers, etc. Superimposed on each illustration is a yardage scale in increments of ten yards. Thus, a player using such a booklet can estimate how far his ball lies from a putting green or a tee. Is use of such a booklet during a round contrary to Rule 14-3?
A. No. Although such a booklet is an artificial device, its use has been traditionally accepted and Exception 2 to Rule 14-3 applies. (Revised)
14-3/5.5 Electronic Device Providing Distances Between Various Points
Q. With regard to Decision 14-3/5, may a player use an electronic device containing the same information?
A. Yes. Exception 2 to Rule 14-3 applies, but the player must not use a device with a measuring or distance calculating function. However, see also the Note to Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/6 Holding Ball in Hand Against Grip When Putting
Q. A player putts with a golf ball held in his left hand against the grip. He claims the pressure transmitted to the grip through the ball assists him in putting. Is such use of a ball permissible?
A. No. The player is using equipment in an unusual manner to assist him in making a stroke and is in breach of Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/6.5 Holding Ball in Hand Against Grip for Practice Swings or Practice Strokes
Q. Decision 14-3/6 clarifies that a player may not make a stroke while holding a golf ball in his hand against the grip to assist him. May the player make a practice swing or practice stroke (when permitted by Rule 7-2) while holding a golf ball in the same manner?
A. Yes. The prohibition in Rule 14-3 against using equipment in an unusual manner applies to strokes that count in the player’s score and not to practice swings or practice strokes. (New)
14-3/7 Player with Injured Right Wrist Inserts Left Thumb Under Elastic Bandage on Right Wrist and Hand
Q. A player, who wore an elastic bandage around his right wrist and hand because of an injury, inserted his left thumb under the bandage where it crosses his right palm, and played a number of strokes with his left thumb so located. Is this permissible?
A. No. Although a player may wear an elastic bandage for medical purposes in accordance with Exception 1 to Rule 14-3, there is no need for him to insert his thumb under the bandage. Therefore, such an action would constitute use of equipment in an unusual manner in breach of Rule 14-3. (Revised).
14-3/8 Adhesive Tape
Q. May a player wear adhesive tape on his hands or apply such tape to a golf glove?
A. The use of adhesive tape, or similar coverings of the hand, for any medical reasons, e.g., to reduce blisters or to eliminate the possibility of skin splits between the fingers, is not contrary to the Rules.
However, the application of tape to the hand or the construction of a similar covering must not be excessive (i.e., must not otherwise assist the player in gripping and its thickness must be comparable to that of a standard golf glove). Also, applying tape to a golf glove to prevent the glove from slipping or to reduce wear is not a breach of Rule 14-3.
However, if the tape is used solely to aid the player in gripping the club (e.g., it is used to bind two fingers together), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 as such use of tape is the use of equipment in an unusual manner. (Revised)
14-3/9 Player Putts with One Hand and Steadies Himself with Club Held in Other Hand
Q. A player, while putting with one hand, uses another club to lean on and steady himself. Is the use of the club in this manner considered to be use of equipment in an unusual manner, contrary to Rule 14-3?
A. Yes. (Revised)
Player Uses Cane or Club to Enter or Leave Hazard When Ball Lies in Hazard — See 13-4/3.5.
14-3/10 Use of Training or Swing Aid During Round
Q. During a round, may a player make a stroke or a practice swing using a club with a weighted headcover or “donut” on it, or use any other device designed as a training or swing aid?
A. No. The player would be using an artificial device to assist him in his play in breach of Rule 14-3, but see also Decision 4-4a/7 for use of a weighted training club. (Revised)
14-3/10.5 Use of Stretching Devices
Q. Rule 14-3a prohibits a player, during a stipulated round, from using any artificial device or unusual equipment, or using any equipment in an unusual manner, that “might assist him in making a stroke or in his play.” Would the use of a stretching device during a stipulated round be a breach of Rule 14-3?
A. During a stipulated round, it is permissible to use a device designed for stretching unless the device is designed specifically to be used in a golf swing and is used during a golf swing (see Decision 14-3/10). For example, the following stretching devices may be used:
• Items designed specifically for golf but not used in a golf swing (e.g., a bar to place across the shoulders);
• Items designed for general stretching (e.g., rubber tubing); and
• Items not originally designed for stretching (e.g., a section of pipe).
(Revised)
14-3/11 Plumb-Line
Q. Is a plumb-line, i.e., a weight suspended on a string, an artificial device within the meaning of the term in Rule 14-3?
A. Yes. If a player uses such a device to assist him in his play, he is in breach of Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/12 Club Used as Plumb-Line
Q. May a player use his putter as a plumb-line to assist him in determining the slope on a putting green?
A. Yes. Use of a club in this manner is traditionally accepted and Exception 2 to Rule 14-3 applies. (Revised)
14-3/12.5 Bottled Drink Used as a Level
Q. A player places a bottled drink on the putting green in order to gauge the slope of the green. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?
A. Yes. The player is using equipment in an unusual manner to assist him in his play contrary to Rule 14-3. However, if the placing of the bottle on the putting green was not for the purpose of gauging the slope, the player would not be in breach of Rule 14-3. (Revised)
14-3/13 Hand Warmer
Q. A player uses a device to warm his hands during a round. Is the player in breach of Rule 14-3?
A. No. Although a hand warmer is an artificial device, its use to warm the hands is traditionally accepted, and Exception 2 to Rule 14-3 applies. (Revised)
14-3/13.5 Golf Ball Artificially Warmed
Q. Is the use of a golf ball that was purposely warmed during a stipulated round with a golf ball warmer, hand warmer or any such device a breach of Rule 14-3?
A. Yes. Use of a ball that has been purposely warmed during a stipulated round with an artificial device constitutes a breach of Rule 14-3. However, it would not be a breach of Rule 14-3 to use a ball that was artificially warmed prior to the stipulated round. (Revised)
14-3/14 Electronic Instrument Used to Find Ball
Q. A transmitter has been embedded in a golf ball. When used with a special radio receiver, a player may find such a ball readily because the transmitter emits a signal that grows louder as the receiver moves closer to the ball. Is the use of such a ball and receiver permissible?
A. No. Use of such a ball in conjunction with the receiver is a breach of Rule 14-3.
However, use of such a ball without the receiver is permissible, provided the ball conforms to the Rules and its use is in accordance with any conditions of competition that may have been adopted (e.g., the List of Conforming Golf Balls Condition).
14-3/15 Artificial Limbs
An artificial leg or arm is an artificial device within the meaning of the term in Rule 14-3. However, as such a device is used to alleviate a medical condition and the player has a legitimate medical reason to use the device, Exception 1 to Rule 14-3 applies, even if an artificial leg has been modified to aid a player in playing the game or an artificial arm has a fitting specially designed for gripping a golf club. However, the Committee must be satisfied that an artificial limb so modified does not give the player any undue advantage over other players. If the Committee is not satisfied of this, Exception 1 to Rule 14-3 does not apply and use of the device would constitute a breach of Rule 14-3.
Clubs used by a player with an artificial arm must conform with Rule 4-1 except that an attachment may be fitted to the grip or shaft to assist the player to hold the club. However, if the Committee believes that the use of a club modified in this way would give the player an undue advantage over other players, it should deem the attachment an artificial device contrary to Rule 14-3.
Players in doubt about the use of a device should raise the matter as soon as possible with the Committee. (Revised)
14-3/15.5 Use of Swing Aid for Medical Reasons
While Exception 1 to Rule 14-3 authorizes a Committee to allow the use of a device for medical reasons, a Committee should not normally allow the use of a device originally designed as a swing aid, as such a device is likely to give a player an undue advantage over other players. (New)
14-3/16 Use of Electronic Devices
As provided in the Etiquette Section, players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.
The use of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, hand-held computer, calculator, television or radio is not itself a breach of Rule 14-3. For example, the following uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round are not a breach of the Rules:
• Using the device for matters unrelated to golf (e.g., to call home);
• Using the device to access information on advice-related matters that were published prior to the start of the player’s round (e.g., an electronic yardage book, swing tips); or
• Using the device to obtain information related to the competition being played (e.g., the leader board or projected “cut”).
However, examples of uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round that are a breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, include:
• Using the device (e.g., a television or radio) to watch or listen to a broadcast of the competition being played;
• Using the device to ask for or give advice in breach of Rule 8-1 (e.g., calling a swing coach at home); or
• Using the device to access information on advice-related matters that were not published prior to the start of his round (e.g., analysis of strokes made during that round).
14-4/1 Ball Falls on Club Face After Stroke and Sticks to Mud Thereon
Q. A player, making a stroke at his ball on the bank of a bunker, hit the ball straight up. The ball came down and adhered to mud on the face of the club. Was the player in breach of Rule 14-4?
A. No. However, the player stopped his ball and was in breach of Rule 19-2.
In match play and stroke play, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke and must drop the ball as near as possible to the spot where the ball adhered to the club (Rule 19-2).
But see Decision 1-4/2. (Revised)
14-4/2 Ball Strikes Pipeline and on Rebound Is Deflected by Face of Club
Q. A player’s ball strikes a pipeline and on the rebound hits the face of his club. Is the player considered to have struck the ball more than once in breach of Rule 14-4?
A. No. The player did not strike the ball more than once. He struck it once and it rebounded and hit the face of his club. Rule 19-2 applies.
14-4/3 Player Hits Behind Ball and Then Strikes Moving Ball
Q. In playing a chip shot, a player’s club strikes the ground several inches behind the ball and does not come into contact with the ball. However, the ground is struck with enough force to cause the ball to move. The player’s club continues and strikes the ball while it is moving. What is the ruling?
A. The player must count his stroke and add a penalty stroke under Rule 14-4.
Even though the club itself did not initially strike the ball, the ball was put into motion due to the stroke; therefore, Rule 14-4 applies. (New)
14-5/1 Ball Moving During Backswing Struck While Still Moving
Q. A player’s ball starts moving during his backswing and he strikes the ball while it is still moving. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty under Rule 14-5 because the ball began to move after the player had begun his backswing. However, if the player had caused the ball to move or had addressed it, he incurred a penalty stroke — Rule 18-2a or -2b.
14-6/1 Ball Moves in Water in Water Hazard After Address
Q. A ball was at rest in shallow, rapidly-running water in a water hazard. After the player had carefully entered the water, walked to the ball and addressed it, the ball moved, presumably due to the current. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty, and the player must play the ball from its new position. Rule 14-6 overrides Rule 18-2b (Ball Moving After Address) in such a case.
When a ball is in water and it is not clear whether the player’s actions caused the ball to move, he should be given the benefit of the doubt and no penalty should be applied. However, if the player’s actions clearly caused the ball to move, he would be subject to a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a and required to replace the ball. For example, if a player were to jump into the water close to the ball and in so doing create a splash that moved the ball, he would be subject to penalty under Rule 18-2a.