
If the player’s club accidentally hits the ball, more than once, there has been only one stroke and there is no penalty. Therefore, all these videos of golfers purposely double hitting a ball to get out from behind a tree is a breach of the Rules and the penalty is harsh.
Is it embarrassing to double hit on the golf course?
No matter your skill level, every golfer has experienced a double-hit in their career. The ball pops up perfectly into the path of your follow through and you clip it again, changing its path. And while this might be a cool party trick, it’s quite embarrassing when it happens on the golf course.
What are the new rules of golf for double hitting?
However, under the new Rules of Golf starting in 2019, Woods would have faced no controversy whatsoever. Under the new Rules of Golf, which go into force on Jan. 1, 2019, there is no penalty for a double-hit of the golf ball. Rather, the entirety of the hits is considered a single stroke. It makes sense.
What is the penalty for double-hitting a golf ball?
Under the new Rules of Golf, which go into force on Jan. 1, 2019, there is no penalty for a double-hit of the golf ball. Rather, the entirety of the hits is considered a single stroke. It makes sense.
What happens if you hit the golf ball more than once?
Golf's New Rules: Major Changes 2019 Rule: Under Rule 10.1a, if the player’s club accidentally hits the ball more than once during a single stroke: There will be no penalty and the ball will be played as it lies.

Are double hits in golf legal?
The player must fairly strike at the ball with the head of the club such that there is only momentary contact between the club and the ball and must not push, scrape or scoop the ball. If the player's club accidentally hits the ball more than once, there has been only one stroke and there is no penalty.
Is there a penalty for double hitting your golf ball?
When it happens accidently, there is no penalty and the player must accept the result, whether favourable or not, and play the ball from where it comes to rest. This is true even if the ball hits the player, their equipment (such as a golf bag or a rake), an opponent or any other person (like a caddie).
Is a double hit illegal?
If it was one continuous motion, without a second intentional swing or push, then it is a legal shot even if it hit your racquet twice in the one swing. It is also your call to make and not your opponent's.
Is there a 3 stroke penalty in golf?
The penalty stroke assessed is not the stroke made on the new ball; it is counted in addition to any and all swings made at the ball. For instance, hitting a ball into a water hazard, dropping a new ball at the position from which the last one was hit, then hitting the new ball counts as three strokes, not two.
What happens if you hit a golf ball twice in one swing?
GOLF'S NEW RULES. Major Change: Ball Accidentally Struck More Than Once During a Stroke March 12, 2018. 2019 Rule: Under Rule 10.1a, if the player's club accidentally hits the ball more than once during a single stroke: There will be no penalty and the ball will be played as it lies.
Do air shots count golf?
An air shot is not imposed as a penalty for a tee shot as already mentioned. No matter how many times a player swings, if the club does not touch the ball, it is not considered a stroke. However, when the ball moves with an air shot, it counts as one stroke.
Can you hit the ball twice on your side?
There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent's side of the table. It can bounce two or more times on your opponent's side (if so, that's your point), bounce over the side, or even hit the edge.
Can you hit the pickle ball twice?
Double/Carry Hits : A ball hit during one continuous single direction stroke is legal, even though the ball may be unintentionally hit twice or "carried". Switching Hands : Paddle may be switched from hand to hand at any time. Two-handed shots are also legal.
Is Double hitting a chip a penalty?
“The outcome in such cases is random and unpredictable, and it results in a disadvantage for the player as often as it results in an advantage.” This rule is consistent with the change they made for balls accidentally deflected by part of the player's body when the ball is in motion, which also now holds no penalty.
Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?
Local rule for out of bounds, lost ball If a player hits a ball out of bounds or loses a ball, the general rules still require the player to return to the spot of the previous stroke and take a one-stroke penalty - a standard stroke-and-distance scenario.
What happens if a golfer runs out of balls?
If you happen to run out of balls, you can borrow one from any other player, including a practice or X-Out ball (which are generally conforming balls). If you play a wrong ball, you lose the hole in match play or get a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
Can you hit a ball that is out of bounds?
The penalty for losing a ball or hitting it out of bounds is "stroke and distance": if your first shot vanishes or ends up on the wrong side of the white stakes, you count that stroke (one), add a penalty stroke (two), and hit again from the original spot (three).
What happens if you hit a ball twice in one stroke?
As for double hits, if a player hits his ball twice in one stroke, accidentally or intentionally, he must count the original stroke and incur a one-stroke penalty, and then play it where it lies. In effect, it’s a one-shot penalty. The New Rule: The new changes simplify both of these rules considerably, eliminating the distinction between ...
What happens when a golf ball is deflected?
If after being deflected the ball comes to rest on the player or his equipment, the ball must be dropped or placed on the green closest to where it came to rest.
What is the new rule for deflection?
According to new Rule 11.1, if a player deflects or stops his own ball in motion there is no penalty and he must play it as it lies.
What is the old rule in golf?
The Old Rule: Rule 19 of the old Rules of Golf governs what to when a ball in motion is deflected or stopped, and it’s a doozy. With so many complicated decisions and scenarios with different guidelines, it’s no wonder why golf’s governing bodies chose to update the rule. In the old rules, the key point of distinction is whether a player deflects ...
What is the key point of distinction in football?
In the old rules, the key point of distinction is whether a player deflects his own ball, or if an outside agency is the source of the deflection. If an outside agency deflects or stops a ball in motion, you must play the ball where it lies, with two exceptions. But here we’re specifically concerned with scenarios in which a player deflects his own ...
What is the word that pops up in an alarming number of the new rules?
In fact, it’s just one word, a word that pops up in an alarming number of the new rules: “accidentally.”. Both of these new rules are dependent on the violation being unintentional.
Did Tiger Woods get charged with a double hit?
Tiger Woods was nearly charged with a two-stroke penalty for this suspected double hit at the 2018 Hero World Challenge. On Jan. 1, more than 30 changes to the Rules of Golf — some small, others significant — will take effect. To get you ready, this holiday season GOLF.com is rolling out a series, “The 12 Days of Rules Changes,” to ensure you ...
Why is double hit not a penalty?
Reasons for Change: Where a double hit occurs as part of a single stroke and was not the intention of the player, it was felt unfair and unnecessary for the player to be penalized. Just as there is no penalty if a player’s ball accidentally deflects off his or her body, equipment or caddie, there is no need for a penalty when a player accidentally ...
What are the new rules for golf?
2019 Rule: Under Rule 10.1a, if the player’s club accidentally hits the ball more than once during a single stroke: There will be no penalty and the ball will be played as it lies.
Did Tiger Woods double hit at the Hero?
New golf rules 2019: Why Tiger Woods’ double-hit at the Hero wouldn’t be penalized. At the 2018 Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods created a controversy at Albany Golf Club when video evidence showed he double-hit a golf ball from under a bush during the second round of his 18-man year-ending event. Woods appeared to scoop ...
Did Tiger Woods hit the ball twice?
Afterward, Woods looked at the video footage with rules officials. While he saw himself hitting the ball twice, he said he didn’t feel himself hit the ball twice. Under the old Rules of Golf, that meant Woods was not subject to a one-stroke penalty for the double hit ...
Is there a penalty for hitting a double hit in golf?
Under the new Rules of Golf, which go into force on Jan. 1, 2019, there is no penalty for a double-hit of the golf ball. Rather, the entirety of the hits is considered a single stroke. It makes sense. Double-hits are almost universally horrible golf shots.
Can Tiger Woods be penalized for double hitting?
Under the old Rules of Golf, that meant Woods was not subject to a one-stroke penalty for the double hit (effectively counting both hits). Decision 34-3/10 under the Rules of Golf declares a player cannot be penalized for an infraction made clear to the player through the use of high-definition video. However, under the new Rules of Golf starting ...
Can a golfer carry the ball all the way to the hole?
For those of us who think about trying to stretch rules and norms to an absolute extreme, that doesn’t mean a golfer can conceivably volley and carry their golf ball all the way to the hole if they’re able to keep the ball in the air. Tags 2019 Rules of Golf double-hit golf penalty new Rules of Golf Rules of Golf.
What is the rule for a clubhead?
The United States Golf Association, the governing body for the sport in North America, sets forth the applicable standard in Rule 4-1d. It states that a clubhead shall have "only one striking face except putters with similar faces.".
How much loft do you need for a putter?
However, the USGA's "Rules of Golf" require putters to have less than 10 degrees of loft. Two-way chippers don't qualify as putters, since typical chippers have roughly 30 degrees of loft on each of the faces, equivalent to a 5-iron or 6-iron.
Can you chip left handed?
Usefulness of Two-Way Chipper. While the illegality of two-way chippers has reduced their popularity – and prevents them from being used in official tournaments – some golfers still use them in recreational rounds for their versatility. You can chip with them and hit shots left-handed or right-handed if your ball is near an obstacle ...
Can you use a chipper in golf?
While you can use illegal clubs such as a two-way chipper in social play if no one in your group objects, doing so violates the rules and affects the accuracy of your handicap. After all, if your group doesn't mind, you could tee off with a baseball bat or hockey stick. In terms of the official Rules of Golf, however, the social play "exception" is meaningless. In any competition played under the Rules of Golf, Rule 1-3 states, "Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred." If you violate this rule, you incur the harshest of penalties – both players are disqualified in match play, or all players in the group are disqualified in stroke play.
Can you use a putter with two faces?
Since putters are the only clubs that can have two striking faces, golfers can use either side of a putter that has identical faces to strike the ball. This exception is intended to legalize blade putters that are identical on both sides. However, the USGA's "Rules of Golf" require putters to have less than 10 degrees of loft.
