Slipping on the backswing

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Jonny P

Handicap : 4.9

Posted : Tue 8th Dec 2009 11:31

What is the rule if you slip over on the backswing or downswing and miss the ball as a result?

All I can find is the rule that if you intended to hit the ball and you missed then it's no penalty, but you count that stroke as a shot.

However there is also a rule that you can pull out of a shot if you wish (I recall Tiger doing this at the Masters a few years back)

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Wayne Santorini

Handicap : 0

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 11:51

I believe it would be classed as a stroke only on the downswing, as during the backswing you have still not made the intention to hit the ball.

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Jonny P

Handicap : 4.9

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 12:09

Well that's how I'd see it - but then how do you explain Tiger in the 2007 Masters?

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Jonny P

Handicap : 4.9

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 12:22

Further research suggests it's about intent, if you intend to hit the ball it's an airshot, if you pull out like Tiger then the intention to hit was not there.

Doesn't help anwer the slipping question, but I guess that's a pretty grey area. When it happened to me, I had to pull out of the shot in order to stay on my feet, so the intent went from hitting a ball, to staying on ones feet.

However that is a reaction rather than a definative intention to not hit the ball so could aslo be seen as an air swipe.

Last edit : Tue 8th Dec 2009 12:25

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Darren Ramowski

[FORUM MODERATOR]
Handicap : 21

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 12:29

Just looked in the updated decisions on the Rules of Golf 2010 - 2011 plus illustrated version and can't find any reference.

Like you say grey area and would say Wayne is correct.

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Jonny P

Handicap : 4.9

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 12:55

Thanks Darren - I thought that was right too, but seems it isn't. It doesn't matter if it's during the downswing that one pulls out of the swing.

Stroke
A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not
made a stroke.

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Patrick Bourke

Handicap : 11.1

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 13:28

I reckon that the bird came into Tiger's view during his downswing and he definately intended to abort the shot (loking at the clip again you've still got to admire his control). For us hackers though, at that point, I reckon we'd still go through with the shot.

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Steve Martin

Handicap : 17

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 14:14

This woman has no intention of pulling out of her drive... bird or no bird!!!!

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Wayne Santorini

Handicap : 0

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 16:49

Jonny your quote of "but if a player checks his downswing" would only be true if you deliberately do it!!! but once you start to slip you've already intended to hit the ball so classed as a shot.

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Wayne Santorini

Handicap : 0

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 16:52

If an Amateur had attempted to do what Tiger did, that person would have been in traction and lucky if he could still walk let alone play..............it was to his credit that Tiger's fitness was so high, that he was able to do what he did without causing serious injury to himself.

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Jonny P

Handicap : 4.9

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 21:58

I get what your saying, but if you check up becasue your falling over, your intention becomes to keep yourself upright and prevent injury, not hit the ball.

I am talking of a proper slip, trailing leg completely slipping away rather than a little loss of balance.

I guess it's ultimatly down to the honesty of the player - only he can really say if he intended to hit the ball or back off it;but it should be obvious to his/her playing partners one would think - usually when people make a legit swipe at the ball and miss they spin round 360 degres afterwards

RE Tiger - it's amazing he didn't slip a disc! I don't think many people would even have the strength to do that.

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Dave ley

Handicap : 9.7

Reply : Tue 8th Dec 2009 21:59

Not another one of Tigers birds coming out the woodwork is that #9

Jonny,I agree that it's an airshot and if one tries to stop then this would I believe have to be called on by ones self as only that person would know if they were trying to abort. From experience I've never managed to stop after a slip but never totally missed the ball either

Incidentally I recall Big John Daley trying to abort after acamera went off.His injury caused him to withdraw from the event and visit the hospital .

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