Is it a penalty if your practice swing moves the ball?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
General play
Penalty: One stroke
Is it a penalty if your practice swing moves the ball?
PenaltyOne stroke· under Rule 9.4b
What to do
- 1If the ball is already in play and your practice swing moves it, add one penalty stroke.
- 2Replace the ball on its original spot.
- 3Exception: on the tee before your first stroke, the ball isn’t in play yet — just re-tee with no penalty.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 9.4b), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
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