Rules of Golf - Rule 14: Striking the Ball
14-1. Ball to
Be Fairly Struck At
The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not
be pushed, scraped or spooned.
14-2.
Assistance
In making a stroke, a player must not:
a. Accept physical assistance or protection from the elements; or
b. Allow his caddie, his partner or his partner’s caddie to position
himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of
putt behind the ball.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-1or -2:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
14-3.
Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
The United States Golf Association (USGA) reserves the right, at any
time, to change the Rules relating to artificial devices and unusual
equipment and make or change the interpretations relating to these
Rules.
A player in doubt as to whether use of an item would constitute a breach
of Rule 14-3 should consult the USGA.
A manufacturer may submit to the USGA a sample of an item to be
manufactured for a ruling as to whether its use during a stipulated
round would cause a player to be in breach of Rule 14-3. The sample
becomes the property of the USGA for reference purposes. If a
manufacturer fails to submit a sample before manufacturing and/or
marketing the item, the manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that
use of the item would be contrary to the Rules.
Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the player
must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment:
a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that
might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:
(i) plain gloves may be worn;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-3: Disqualification.
14-4. Striking
the Ball More than Once
If a player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a
stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke,
making two strokes in all.
14-5. Playing
Moving Ball
A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.
Exceptions:
• Ball falling off tee — Rule 11-3.
• Striking the ball more than once — Rule 14-4.
• Ball moving in water — Rule 14-6.
When the ball begins to move only after the player has begun the stroke
or the backward movement of his club for the stroke, he incurs no
penalty under this Rule for playing a moving ball, but he is not exempt
from any penalty under the following Rules:
• Ball at rest moved by player — Rule 18-2a.
• Ball at rest moving after address — Rule 18-2b.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by player, partner or caddie — see
Rule 1-2.)
14-6. Ball Moving in Water
When a ball is moving in water in a water hazard, the player may,
without penalty, make a stroke, but he must not delay making his stroke
in order to allow the wind or current to improve the position of the
ball. A ball moving in water in a water hazard may be lifted if the
player elects to invoke Rule 26.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-5 or -6:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
Back to Rules of Golf |
