2007 #13 Did You Make a Stroke?

THE SCENE:
You are on hole #1, short of the bunker. You want to pitch your ball onto the green and let it roll to the hole. You pull out your pitching wedge and then line up to take a practice swing. You glance quickly at your target and swing back. Then your brain goes dead. Your arms reach out instinctively for the ball and the tip of your club head hits the ball, shoving it away from you.

What would you do?
        A.    It was a practice swing, not a stroke. You hadn't even taken your stance. So, it doesn't count. You reach out with your club and roll your ball back into place and then play it.
        B.    You took a stroke. You count it and then play the ball from where it lies.
        C.    You accidentally caused your ball to move. You add a penalty stroke, replace your ball and then play it.
 
C is correct because you didn't make a stroke but you did cause your ball to move.
Look in your Rules of Golf book under DEFINITIONS, page 3. You will see
    A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of fairly striking at and moving the ball, ...
Since you had no intention of striking the ball, you did not make a stroke. However, you did cause the ball to move. Rule #18 says:

RULE #18 BALL AT REST MOVED
18-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment
When a player’s ball is in play, if:
the player … causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule,
the player shall incur a penalty stroke… The ball shall be replaced

If you fail to replace your ball, you'll be in breech of Rule #18, a maximum 2-stroke penalty.

What this means to you is:
Your ball was at rest.
You, the player, caused your ball to move.
You incur one penalty stroke.
Your must replace your ball - or incur a 2-stroke penalty.

REMEMBER: If you cause your ball to move, replace it and add a penalty stroke to your score for the hole.