The ruling in plain English
If your club accidentally hits the ball more than once during one swing, count one stroke and add no penalty. Play the ball from where it comes to rest. A separate second stroke or deliberate push, scrape or scoop is different.
Apply the Rule on the course
The provision does not cover a separate second stroke. The ball must be fairly struck and not pushed, scraped or scooped.
- 1
Confirm that the contacts happened accidentally during one continuous stroke.
- 2
Count the stroke once and add no penalty for the extra contact.
- 3
Play the ball from where it comes to rest unless another Rule applies.
- 4
If the action was deliberate or a separate stroke, apply the Rule for that situation.
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What else matters
No penalty for an accidental double hit during one stroke; a deliberate push, scrape or scoop brings the general penalty.
Exceptions
- The contacts must be accidental and part of one stroke.
- A stroke at a moving ball is governed by Rule 10.1d.
Common mistakes
- Adding the old pre-2019 one-stroke penalty.
- Treating a deliberate action or separate stroke as a penalty-free double hit.
Remember: One swing, accidental extra contact: one stroke, no extra penalty.
R&A Rule 10.1a
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.
Watch the double-hit rule explained
This concise Radyr Golf Club demonstration explains what happens when the club accidentally strikes the ball more than once during the same stroke.