Kevin Na : Fresh Air - Or Not ?

Kace

Thought you guys might find this interesting ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WadVT_muVU

Not a fresh air of course, as this was intentional by Na. As it turns out he does this regularly and has informed the rules officials of such.

irish bloke

What’s the point of it??
Did he just pull out of the shot or what?

Can’t see the benefit of doing that intentionally myself..

Kace

Yes he says that when he isn't comfortable with his transition he pulls out of the shot like this by swinging above the ball - ala Tiger stopping shots on his downswing when not comfortable.

Looks like he should have pulled out of the second one too !

stockdam

As far as I am concerned he has addressed the ball and has made a stroke at it even though he has pulled out. I'm also unsure as to what makes him pull out so late.

It does look bizarre.

neckedit

stockdam wrote: »

As far as I am concerned he has addressed the ball and has made a stroke at it even though he has pulled out. I'm also unsure as to what makes him pull out so late.

It does look bizarre.

A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball he has not made a stroke.

Q. A player begins his downswing with the intention of striking the ball but decides during the downswing not to strike the ball. The player is unable to stop the club before it reaches the ball, but he is able to swing intentionally over the top of the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke?

A. No. The player is considered to have checked his downswing voluntarily by altering the path of his downswing and missing the ball even though the swing carried the clubhead beyond the ball.

If the player had not successfully checked his downswing (i.e., he had struck the ball), he is considered to have made a stroke.

Any doubt regarding the player's intent must be resolved against the player.

Na has explained to the officials some time ago that he does this from time to time.

SSK

Just another ridiculous quirk that Na has added to his game along with his caddy lining up absolutely everything for him. He must be the slowest player on tour at this stage. It must be horrendous having to play with him.

Keano

I know if I did that playing with some people they would penalise me a shot.

Su Campu

Keano A Legend wrote: »

I know if I did that playing with some people they would penalise me a shot.

Exactly. To all intents and purposes that looked like a genuine swing, and it was only his reaction after the club had passed the ball, plus the fact that he's a tour pro, that would suggest it was voluntary. How is someone supposed to distinguish between that and a genuine fresh-air? To the average golfer there would be no difference, and to suggest that someone could claim to have "checked" their downswing is rubbish.

Something like that in a club competition would be a serious bone of contention. The rule should be if the club passes the ball then it was a swing.

Su Campu

neckedit wrote: »

Na has explained to the officials some time ago that he does this from time to time.

We ALL do it from time to time.....doesn't mean we shouldn't be penalised!

neckedit

Su Campu wrote: »

We ALL do it from time to time.....doesn't mean we shouldn't be penalised!

Personally I don't think I have ever "checked" my swing.........have had a couple of whiffs though!!

I don't make the rules i was merely responding to a thread, if you read the decision on the rule, that I posted, and the wee bit after you'd see you shouldn't be penalised,for it, He has not made an attempt to hit the ball, he intentionally changed his swing path to avoid contact, Now if some one gets up and airballs it thats a diff matter.

"Any doubt regarding the player's intent must be resolved against the player"

BiffoGooner

Attention seeking plonker.

irish bloke

neckedit wrote: »

Personally I don't think I have ever "checked" my swing.........have had a couple of whiffs though!!

I don't make the rules i was merely responding to a thread, if you read the decision on the rule, that I posted, and the wee bit after you'd see you shouldn't be penalised,for it, He has not made an attempt to hit the ball, he intentionally changed his swing path to avoid contact, Now if some one gets up and airballs it thats a diff matter.

"Any doubt regarding the player's intent must be resolved against the player"

+1

Ive never checked my swing either but have def missed the ball on occassions. That a penalty in my eyes.

stockdam

It would annoy me if I played with him; I have a tendency to start walking as soon as the last guy has hit his ball. I'd be half way up the fairway only to find out that Na still hadn't hit.

Su Campu

neckedit wrote: »

Personally I don't think I have ever "checked" my swing.........have had a couple of whiffs though!!

I don't make the rules i was merely responding to a thread, if you read the decision on the rule, that I posted, and the wee bit after you'd see you shouldn't be penalised,for it, He has not made an attempt to hit the ball, he intentionally changed his swing path to avoid contact, Now if some one gets up and airballs it thats a diff matter.

"Any doubt regarding the player's intent must be resolved against the player"

I meant we all make swings and miss the ball, i.e. whiffs!

I did read what you wrote and was making the point that the rule is stupid and open to abuse. To my eye his swing looked normal and he would have a hard time convincing me that he "checked" it. What exactly is the tell-tale action that we're supposed to be seeing here to prove he checked it? If that were a 24 handicapper we'd be saying it was a definite whiff - but because he is who he is then it couldn't possibly be.

k.p.h

<--- Makes mental note of this rule, "ah sorry lads had to check my downswing their I'l try again" :cool:

irish bloke

k.p.h wrote: »

<--- Makes mental note of this rule, "ah sorry lads had to check my downswing their I'l try again" :cool:

This could be the greatest shot saving tip out there today.

This rule could take 5 shots off my game!!!!!!!!:):):)