Harper Lin
A double hit in golf occurs when the player strikes the ball more than once during a stroke. This can be caused by a number of factors, including a tricky lie, bad technique, or a combination of both. For example, a player may end up with a double hit if they scoop under the ball, causing it to pop up and be struck again by the clubhead as it passes their hands. While double hits are uncommon, they can be embarrassing and result in penalties. The rules regarding double hits have been updated over the years, with governing bodies arguing that accidental double hits should not be penalized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of double hit | Flipping the clubhead past your hands with your wrists |
| Occurrence | Uncommon |
| Areas of occurrence | Rough, creek beds, severe uphill lies |
| Rules | No penalty for accidental double hit; penalty for intentional double hit |
| Penalty | One stroke penalty for intentional double hit |
| Exception | No penalty if HD video and slo-mo replay are needed to confirm double hit |
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What You'll Learn
Flipping the clubhead past your hands with your wrists
To avoid this, proper body rotation is essential. By initiating the downswing with your hips, you create a powerful, controlled motion that keeps the clubface square through impact. This continuous rotation allows your hands to remain passive, reducing the need for last-second adjustments like flipping to square the clubface. A good drill to practice is the 10-to-2 drill, which will help you work your way up to full swings and eliminate the flip.
Another key factor is correct weight transfer. Shifting pressure onto your lead foot during the downswing supports balance, promotes a forward motion, and keeps your hands leading the clubhead through impact. This weight shift helps maintain forward shaft lean, stabilizes the wrists, and enables a full-body rotation, reducing the need for a compensatory flip.
Additionally, focusing on maintaining clubface control, proper wrist mechanics, and a flat lead wrist can help prevent wrist flipping. By fine-tuning your release and starting with a short swing, you can gain better control before adding power.
Finally, it's important to understand the proper release and feel the clubhead descend through the ball. While it may be instinctive to help the ball up, mashing it downward will result in a true release and improve your shot.
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Striking the ball with the clubhead twice in one swing
A double hit in golf occurs when the ball is struck twice in one swing. This can happen accidentally or intentionally. In the former case, it is usually the result of flipping the clubhead past the hands with the wrists. As the player scoops under the ball, it pops up, and the clubhead, racing past the hands, strikes it again. This can happen in bad lies such as rough terrain, creek beds, or severe uphill lies.
To avoid a double hit, players should ensure only momentary contact between the club and the ball. The player must not push, scrape, or scoop the ball. If the player accidentally hits the ball more than once, it is still considered one stroke, and there is no penalty.
However, if a player intentionally double-hits the ball, it is penalised. This is a difficult infraction to prove, as it is hard to determine intent. In the past, video evidence has been used to determine whether a player intentionally double-hit the ball, but this has proven controversial.
The rules regarding double hits in golf have been updated in recent years. Previously, a double hit would result in a penalty. Now, the governing bodies have determined that it is unfair to penalise a player for accidentally double-hitting the ball, just as there is no penalty when a player's ball accidentally deflects off their body, equipment, or caddie.
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Striking a moving ball
However, if a player purposely strikes a moving ball, creating a double hit, they will incur a one-stroke penalty. The intention behind the action can be challenging to determine, and rules officials may need to review video evidence to make a judgement. In the case of Tiger Woods at the 2018 Hero World Challenge, video evidence suggested a double hit, but he was ultimately not penalised due to the rule change requiring HD video and slo-mo replay for confirmation.
Double hits are often a result of flipping the clubhead past the hands with the wrists. This can cause the clubhead to strike the ball again as it races past the hands. Certain lies, such as rough, creek beds, and severe uphill lies, can increase the likelihood of double hits. To avoid double hits, golfers can focus on improving their swing technique and understanding the rules to ensure a smooth and enjoyable game.
While most discussions centre around accidental double hits, there is also the possibility of intentional double hits. In some situations, a player may intentionally hit the ball more than once to escape a tricky scenario, such as hitting the ball from behind a tree. The rules regarding intentional double hits can be ambiguous, and it is challenging to determine a player's intention definitively. The "committee's discretion" rule has been introduced to address these grey areas, granting rules officials the authority to make judgements based on their interpretation of the player's intent.
In conclusion, striking a moving ball in golf, or a double hit, can be accidental or intentional. While accidental double hits do not incur a penalty, intentional ones result in a one-stroke penalty. To avoid double hits, golfers can work on their technique and be mindful of the rules to navigate challenging situations effectively. Understanding the nuances of double-hit rules helps golfers improve their game, play faster, and have a more enjoyable experience on the course.
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Intentional double-hitting
A double hit in golf occurs when a player strikes the ball a second time after the initial strike, typically caused by flipping the clubhead past the hands with the wrists. This can happen when the ball is at rest or in motion.
The USGA Rule 10.1a states that a player must strike the ball fairly with the head of the club, ensuring only momentary contact. If the player's club accidentally hits the ball more than once, it is considered one stroke, and there is no penalty. This rule was introduced to prevent unintentional double hits from penalising players.
The ruling on intentional double-hitting can be nuanced. For example, if a player's club accidentally hits the ball more than once in one obvious and continuous swing, it is deemed a single stroke with no penalty. However, if the player makes an intentional swing or stroke to alter the original path of the ball after it has been hit, it incurs a penalty.
While intentional double-hitting is generally penalised, there may be situations where a player intentionally double-hits to gain an advantage. This could occur when a player is behind a tree and hits the ball twice to get it around the obstacle. In such cases, the player would incur a penalty in addition to the two swings.
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Rules and penalties
A double hit in golf occurs when a player unintentionally or intentionally hits the ball twice with a single stroke. According to USGA Rule 10.1a, a player must strike the ball with the head of the club in a way that only permits momentary contact between the club and the ball. The player must not push, scrape, or scoop the ball.
If a player's club accidentally hits the ball more than once, it is considered one stroke, and there is no penalty. This rule was updated to simplify accidental deflections, which were previously penalised with an additional stroke.
However, if a player purposely hits a moving ball, creating an intentional double hit, they will incur a one-stroke penalty. The intention behind an intentional double hit can be challenging to prove, and rules officials may need to use their discretion to make judgements based on intent.
To avoid double hits, players can take precautions such as avoiding excessive loft, leaning into the front foot, and focusing on hitting down with a descending blow, ensuring that their hands stay ahead of the clubhead.
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Frequently asked questions
A double hit in golf occurs when a player strikes the ball a second time after the initial strike.
Double hits are often caused by flipping the clubhead past your hands with your wrists. This can cause the clubhead to hit the ball again as it's racing past your hands.
If the double hit is accidental, there is no penalty and it counts as one stroke. If the double hit is intentional, it incurs a one-stroke penalty.
Tiger Woods was involved in a double-hit controversy at the 2018 Hero World Challenge. Woods took a sideways swipe at the ball which resulted in a suspected double hit. However, no penalty was charged as officials needed HD video and slo-mo replay to confirm the double hit.
