Rules of Golf explained: Is there a penalty if I hit another player with my ball?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that stump us. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help. George Bankes got in touch via Twitter with this poser: “A player was taking a while to hit his shot and one of the fourball started to walk forward. When he was about 25 yards away, the player took his shot and it veered into the guy walking – hitting hard. Are there any penalties for hitting your opponent with a ball?”
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says…
Ouch. I’ve been struck at close range by a howitzer and I can tell you it’s no fun. But if the player was upset at decking a fellow golfer, at least they didn’t have the knockout blow of a penalty to deal with too. Rule 11.1a in the Rules of Golf says: “If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, there is no penalty to any player. “This is true even if the ball hits the player, the opponent, or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment.” The player has to play the ball as it lies, except in two situations. The first is when a ball played from anywhere except the putting green comes to rest on a person, animal, or moving outside influence. In that case, the player has to take relief. The other exception is when a ball played from a putting green accidentally hits a person, animal, or movable obstruction on the green – and that includes another ball in motion. Then the stroke doesn’t count and has to be played again. Got a Rules of Golf question you need answering? Leave it in the comments, email me or tweet me.Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Click here for the full Rules of Golf explained archive and details of how to submit a question to our expert. Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for free online golf instruction, the latest equipment reviews, and much, much more.Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
