Can a rules afficionado clear something up for me. If whilst adressing the ball the club faces touches, but does not 'move' the ball (move as defined by the rules) does that count as a stroke ?

No penalty as long as you were not intending to strike the ball and it didn't move as you said.

what about adressing the ball on the tee, and you accidentally knock the ball off the tee? (accidentally being that you knudged it as you took the club down to the ball before you started your waggle)

I think its a penalty, a freind doesnt think so as it wasnt intended ???

It's not just as stated in the second post, No penalty as long as you were not intending to strike the ball......

On a tee the ball in not yet "in play" no penalties there........ expect maybe after breaking your driver on the head of the jackass that thinks his original by saying, ONE........

Anywhere else if the ball moves after being addressed, it's stroke AND MUST BE REPLACE IN IT'S ORIGINAL LOCATION, if you hit it from the new spot add another one.

But remember the defination of "moves".....
moves means it actually physically moves location...ossicilation does not = move.



If so no penalty.

Also, if you cause the ball to move downward it is a stroke penalty under 18-2 and must be replaced.

this is how i understand the rules.

How are you not going to move it it? I am speaking of anywhere except tee of course. If I saw that, in a tourney or money match with friends I am calling attention to it.

The rule you need is 18-2. There is no penalty for touching or moving the ball while addressing it. Simply replace the ball and try again.

18-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment a. General

When a player's ball is in play, if:

(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule, or

(ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball is moved, it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances:

· In searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments or sand, for a ball in an obstruction or abnormal ground condition or for a ball believed to be in water in a water hazard - Rule 12-1
· In repairing a hole plug or ball mark - Rule 16-1c
· In measuring - Rule 18-6
· In lifting a ball under a Rule - Rule 20-1
· In placing or replacing a ball under a Rule - Rule 20-3a
· In removing a loose impediment on the putting green - Rule 23-1
· In removing movable obstructions - Rule 24-1.

b. Ball Moving After Address

If a player's ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

Is the original situation that of someone addressing the ball, initiating a movement to start a swing and touching the ball with their club in a place other than the tee box?

For instance, addressing the ball, swaying your wrists and the club touches the ball?