Rule 14 – Striking the Ball

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.

14-3. Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
The R&A reserves the right, at any time, to change the Rules
relating to artificial devices and unusual 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 R&A.
A manufacturer may submit to the R&A 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 R&A for
reference purposes. If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample
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:
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 moisturising agents may
be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around
the grip.

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
• 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

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.