In golf, if you take a swing intending to hit the ball but you miss, does that count as a stroke?

Question

If you totally miss the ball, no contact at all, does that count as a stroke? Can't some people make believe that they're doing a "practice" shot?

Answer 1

If you intend to hit the ball by addressing at the ball and take a swing at it and completely missed the ball, it's a stroke evenif the ball hasn't move an inch. A stroke is counted when a swing is completed.

By pretending that this is a practice shot and not counting would be a cheat not only to your play mate but to yourself as well.

Golf is a gentleman's game, and in so doing, you're not one of them.

Answer 2

If you address the ball and miss it, it counts as a stroke.  

Answer 3

It counts

Answer 4

It's a whiff, miss, or air shot.

It counts as a stroke.

You "could" lie, but if you're doing that, then you shouldn't really be playing golf.

Answer 5

If it was your intention to hit the ball for that swing...it counts as a stroke. If you're doing a warm up swing on the tee box with your ball placed on the tee and you're practice swing hits the ball it's not a stroke. One way to tell that call is, did you address the ball as if to hit or were you slightly away from it taking practice swings..the same goes for a putt on the green. If you step up to an address position and hit it, it's a stroke. Balls in the fairway are treated that way as well..

Answer 6

If you address at the ball and make the swing but miss the ball it counts 1 stroke penalty.

Answer 7

If you attempt to hit the ball, it counts, regardless of contact.

Yes, people try to disguise a miss as a practice swing, but golf is governed by honor, so if they cheat, it's on them, don't worry about it.

Answer 8

Yes, but you can always say it was a practice swing and they might believe you.  

Answer 9

Yes - 1 stroke  

Answer 10

Yes, I do. Whenever you approach your club to a ball, golfers who play together and you yourself will actually know what you are doing.  

Answer 11

Yes it's a stroke if you swing with intent and miss.  

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/...

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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http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/...

14/1.5 Intent to Strike Ball Ceases During Downswing; Club Not Stopped But Path of Clubhead Altered to Avoid Striking

Ball

Q. A player begins his downswing with the intention of striking the ball but decides during the downswing not to strike the ball. The player is unable to stop the club before it reaches the ball, but he is able to swing intentionally over the top of the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke?

A. No. The player is considered to have checked his downswing voluntarily by altering the path of his downswing and missing the ball even though the swing carried the clubhead beyond the ball.

If the player had not successfully checked his downswing (i.e., he had struck the ball), he is considered to have made a stroke.

Any doubt regarding the player’s intent must be resolved against the player. (Revised)

Answer 12

yep, if you step up to the ball and swing with the intention of hitting the ball and miss, it counts as a stroke.

Answer 13

If you in fact..address the ball...make your backswing...and then take your downswing...and "whiff" the shot...it's a stroke. Now..this is where the honor system in golf comes in...and if you are playing in a tournament and try to pass the miss off as a practice swing, prepare yourself for a challenge from the tournament director, as your playing partners will know exactly what you did. Like the rule says...if you stop, or attempt to stop and miss, that is a diffrent thing..but you said...totally missed the ball...so you must have taken a swing and said nothing about trying to stop!  STROKE!!

Answer 14

I think its supposed to count but if you miss terribly im sure you could say it was a practice shot.

Answer 15

according to the rules, it's the "intent to make a stroke" that applies.  You were trying to make contact and failed.  S**t happens, as all of us know.  It should be a one stroke penalty, if the ball is in play.  If you accidentally hit it off the tee (technically not in play) it doesn't count.

there are exceptions, especially in leagues like mine.  we know we aren't going to the PGA Tour, so things like that are fudgeable.  It technically isn't right, but we're out to have fun.