The Air Shot in Golf

What is an air shot in golf?

A air shot (also known as a “whiff”) is a swing that doesn’t make contact with the ball. The club passes over, beside, or sometimes just behind the ball, and the ball doesn’t move. The term is English; Americans tend to refer to it as whiff.

Every golfer has done this at some point. It's common among beginners, but it also happens in tricky situations: when the ball is buried deep in the rough, on a sloping lie, or perched high on the tee.

Does an air shot count as a shot?

Yes, as long as the player intended to hit the ball. According to the definition of a stroke in the Rules of Golf, a stroke is the forward swing of the club made to strike the ball, whether or not it actually strikes the ball.

• An air shot counts like a shot on the map.
• There is no no additional penalties: Contrary to popular belief, you don't count “a hit plus a penalty.”.
• The ball, which hasn't moved, is then played where she rests.

Special Cases

• First attempt: A practice swing—made with no intention of hitting the ball—never counts as a stroke, even if it comes close to the ball.
• Swing held: If the player stops the club before the ball, or intentionally deflects its path to miss it, it does not count as a stroke.
• At the starting area: After an air shot, if the ball is still in the teeing area, the player may pick it up or place it on a tee without penalty (Rule 6.2b) before playing their next shot.
• Ball that fell off the tee Before any shot, for example, by positioning the ball at the address: no shot, no penalty—just reposition it.

Why do we completely miss the ball?

• The body straightens up during the swing: The head and upper body rise, and the club swings over the ball.
• Poor distance from the ball at address: whether it's too far or too close, the club isn't back in the right spot.
• The tension: The fear of failure makes your arms stiffen and your movements shorter.
• Wanting to lift the ball with your hands, instead of letting the club's opening pull it up.
• A Difficult Lie: tall grass, a slope, or a hole in the ground.

How can you avoid air shots?

• Improving Posture: knees slightly bent, torso bent forward from the hips, arms hanging naturally below the shoulders.
• Maintain your altitude throughout the entire swing, without rising before impact.
• To skim the ground during the practice swing, at the same spot as the ball, to get a feel for where the club goes.
• Make it quick In tricky situations: a three-quarter swing, which is more controlled, makes contact with the ball more often.
• Breathe and Stick to a Pre-Shot Routine before each shot, to release the tension.

What should you do after an air shot?

Count the shot, smile, and move on to the next one. An air shot costs you a shot; the frustration that follows often costs you even more. Take the time to practice the shot again, just grazing the ground, then play it again calmly.