Miles Bennett
Double hits in golf, though uncommon, can occur due to a variety of factors, including bad lies and poor technique. Previously, double-hitting the ball incurred a penalty, but recent rule changes have made the sport more forgiving. Now, accidental double hits are allowed in golf without penalty, treating the double hit as a single stroke. This rule change ensures that players are not penalised for accidents and brings the official rules in line with how recreational players approach the game.
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What You'll Learn
Double hits are no longer penalised if accidental
Double hits in golf can occur when a player hits the ball a second time after the initial strike, often caused by flipping the clubhead past the hands with the wrists. While double hits used to be penalised under the old rules, the regulations have changed, and accidental double hits are no longer penalised.
The USGA introduced this rule change in 2019, and it applies to situations where a player unintentionally hits the ball twice with a single stroke. According to Rule 10.1a, "if your club accidentally hits the ball more than once, there has been only one stroke and there is no penalty." This rule change was implemented to promote fairness and encourage more people to take up the game of golf, as the previous rules, where players were penalised unintentionally, were considered a turn-off for potential players.
The rationale behind this rule change is that accidental deflections are, by definition, accidents. The USGA compares a player accidentally deflecting their own ball to a ball being deflected by other objects, persons, or animals present on the golf course during play. As no penalty is charged when a player deflects another player's ball, it is only fair that a person is not penalised for accidentally deflecting their own.
While this rule change is generally well-received, some concerns have been raised about the potential for players to take advantage of it. In certain situations, a player might intentionally perform a double hit to improve their shot, knowing that they can claim it was accidental without incurring a penalty. However, the benefits of the rule change, particularly for casual recreational rounds, are believed to outweigh these potential drawbacks.
Although accidental double hits are no longer penalised, players may still want to avoid them to ensure smoother gameplay. Some techniques to prevent double hits include using the appropriate type of club for the shot, leaning onto the front foot, and focusing on hitting down with a descending blow while keeping the hands ahead of the clubhead.
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A double hit occurs when the clubhead flips past your hands
A double hit in golf occurs when a player unintentionally strikes the ball twice with a single stroke. This often happens when the clubhead flips past the hands, causing the ball to pop up and be struck again. While double hits are uncommon, they are usually the result of a tough lie or bad technique. Bad lies, such as rough terrain, creek beds, or severe uphill lies, can cause the clubhead to flip past the player's hands and strike the ball a second time.
To avoid a double hit, golfers can take several precautions. Firstly, it is important not to take too much loft, as this can cause the ball to roll up the clubface. Instead of a sand wedge, a pitching wedge or 9 iron can be used to reduce loft. Secondly, players should lean onto their front foot and maintain their balance over it throughout the swing. Falling back or backing up during the strike makes it easier to scoop under the ball and accidentally hit it again.
Another crucial technique to prevent double hits is to focus on hitting down with a descending blow. This involves keeping the hands well ahead of the clubhead, ensuring it does not catch up to the ball after impact. Maintaining the correct spine angle during the swing can also help prevent the clubhead from flipping past the hands. Golfers can achieve this by keeping their right foot on the ground through impact, which helps retain their spine angle.
Additionally, golfers can practice their swing mechanics using impact positions inspired by renowned golfers like Ben Hogan. Hogan's impact position includes hands ahead of the clubhead, an extended left arm linked to the chest, a bent right arm, and a head positioned behind the ball. Practicing this impact position can help golfers improve their technique and avoid double hits caused by the clubhead flipping past their hands.
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How to avoid double hitting a golf ball
While double hits in golf are no longer penalised if they are accidental, it's still better to avoid them altogether. Here are some tips to avoid double hitting a golf ball:
Firstly, ensure you don't take too much loft, as this can cause the ball to roll up the clubface, leading to a double hit. If you would typically use a sand wedge, consider using a pitching wedge or 9 iron instead. Secondly, maintain your balance by leaning onto and staying over your front foot. If you back up or fall back through the strike, you may end up scooping underneath the ball, causing a double hit.
Additionally, focus on hitting down with a descending blow, keeping your hands well ahead of the clubhead. This prevents the clubhead from catching up to the ball after impact, reducing the chances of a double hit. Finally, be mindful of your surroundings, as bad lies such as rough terrain, creek beds, and severe uphill lies can increase the likelihood of a double hit.
By following these tips and staying focused on your technique, you can minimise the chances of accidentally double hitting the golf ball during your game.
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The old rules on double hits
A double hit in golf occurs when a player strikes the ball a second time after the initial strike, often caused by flipping the clubhead past the hands with the wrists. While double hits are fairly uncommon, they can occur due to a tough lie or bad technique. Under Rule 19 of the old Rules of Golf, double hits were treated differently depending on whether an external factor or the player themself deflected the ball.
If an outside agency deflected or stopped a ball in motion, the player had to play the ball where it lay, with two exceptions. However, if a player deflected their own ball when it was in motion, they incurred a one-stroke penalty and had to play it as it lay. This was considered a one-shot penalty, as the player had to count the original stroke and the additional penalty stroke.
These criticisms led to the update of Rule 19 in 2019, simplifying the rules and providing more consistency. The new rules state that accidental double hits are not penalised, aligning with the treatment of accidental deflections off a player's body or equipment. This change was also justified by the inevitable presence of various objects, people, and animals on a golf course, which can inadvertently affect a ball's path during play.
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Tiger Woods and double-hit rule controversy
Tiger Woods and the Double-Hit Rule Controversy
In 2018, Tiger Woods became the centre of a controversy regarding the double-hit rule in golf during the Hero World Challenge. On the 18th hole, Woods pushed his 5-wood tee shot into a bush right of the fairway and had to play his next shot from his knees, advancing only a few yards. He missed the green with his third shot and walked off the hole with a double bogey to finish the round at 3-under 69.
However, the issue was far from over. After the round, Woods reviewed his recovery shot to see if he had made an illegal strike of the ball or double-hit it. This situation involved two rules. Rule 14-1 states that the ball must be "fairly struck" with the head of the club and must not be "pushed, scraped or spooned". Rule 14-4 states that if a player's club strikes the ball more than once in a single stroke, it incurs a one-stroke penalty.
After a 25-minute review, officials ruled that Woods had hit the ball twice, but this could only be discerned through slow-motion and high-definition footage, and therefore, no penalty was assessed. Mark Russell, the PGA Tour's vice president of rules and competitions, supported this decision, stating that there was no way for Woods to know he had hit the ball twice without slow-motion technology.
The ruling sparked controversy, with some, like Golf Digest Rules Editor Ron Kaspriske, expressing surprise that Woods did not call a penalty on himself, as a skilled player should be able to notice the difference between a clean hit and a double hit. Woods himself admitted that slow-motion footage showed he had struck the ball twice.
This incident occurred just before a major overhaul of the Rules of Golf, which introduced a new decision (34-3/10) that limited the power of video evidence in discussing possible violations. Under the new rules, accidental double hits would not incur a penalty, and the controversy surrounding the Tiger Woods incident would likely have been avoided.
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Frequently asked questions
Accidental double hits are allowed in golf and are not penalised. However, purposeful double hits are penalised.
A double hit occurs when a player hits the ball a second time after the initial strike.
To avoid a double hit, do not take too much loft where the ball could roll up the clubface. Lean onto your front foot and stay over it. Focus on hitting down with a descending blow and keep your hands ahead of the clubhead.
Rule 10.1d states that if a player purposely hits a moving ball, creating a double hit, they incur a one-stroke penalty.
Tiger Woods was involved in a double-hit controversy during the 2018 Hero World Challenge. While the video footage showed that he accidentally double-hit the ball, he was ultimately not penalised.
