Rule 14. Striking the Ball
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
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 14-1 or 14-2:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
48 Rule 14
14-3. Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and
Unusual Use of Equipment
The United States Golf Association (USGA) reserves the right,
at any time, to change the Rules relating to artificial devices,
unusual equipment and the unusual use of 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 should 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
or, having submitted a sample, fails to await a ruling 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,
or use any equipment in an unusual manner:
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.
Exceptions:
1. A player is not in breach of this Rule if (a) the equipment
or device is designed for or has the effect of alleviating a
medical condition, (b) the player has a legitimate medical
reason to use the equipment or device, and (c) the
Committee is satisfied that its use does not give the player
any undue advantage over other players.
Rule 14 49
2. A player is not in breach of this Rule if he uses equipment
in a traditionally accepted manner.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-3: Disqualification.
Note: The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to
use devices that measure or gauge distance only.
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 14-6:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
