Tiger at last years Masters?

Question

At last years Masters, Tiger was disturbed by a bird in flight whilst teeing off. He took a swing (of sorts) and missed the ball. Was he penalised for a fresh air shot ? If not what ruling applied

Answer 1

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.

USGA definition. It's the same rule that makes accidentally knocking the ball off the tee worth nothing...

Answer 2

hubby says he was not penalized because the ball didn't move off the tee----and he cites "GOLF RULE RAY 1"--i wouldn't consider that very reliable, though--since he's Ray!!

Answer 3

He didn't miss the ball.  He stopped the club behind the ball, not going past the ball.  As a result it was not a swing, nor a shot.

Answer 4

He was not penalized because he was not attempting to hit the ball.  Had he been trying to make contact and missed the ball he would have been penalized.

Answer 5

i'm not sure, but i think he didn't encure a penalty. By rule, once a player adresses the ball, he must make contact with the ball and have it move in some way otherwise, it isn't a swing. Funny story though, i almost forgot about that.