If your ball hits another player, shout a clear warning, check they are alright, apologise, and follow the Rules by playing your ball as it lies unless it was played from the putting green. Put safety and pace of play first, then deal with scoring and etiquette calmly.
It is one of those moments every golfer hopes never happens. You have hit what felt like a decent strike in a fresh Irish breeze, you look up, and your stomach drops. The ball has collided with another player. Whether it is a ricochet off a trolley path at Royal County Down, a blind corner at Portstewart, or a firm bounce on the kind of springy Downpatrick fairways we see at Saint Patrick’s Golf Club, the next few seconds matter. Here is exactly what to do, in the right order, with both safety and the Rules covered.
First priority: Safety, not score
The moment you think there is any chance your ball might reach someone, you should always call out a warning. In Ireland, with wind, dunes, blind shots and the odd unexpected kick from firm turf, it is not only polite, it is essential.
If the collision has already happened, do not rush into arguments about whose turn it was or whether someone should have been watching. Walk over promptly and check on the person who has been struck.
Ask a simple question first: Are you alright. Then look for signs that the person is shaken, dizzy, or has been hit in the head, face, wrist, or ribs. If there is any possibility of concussion or an eye injury, stop the game and seek help immediately.
At Saint Patrick’s we always tell visiting groups the same thing: a hole can wait, health cannot. If you need assistance, contact the clubhouse or the professional shop straight away. On a busy day, another group will often help you alert staff quicker.
Own it with good etiquette
A proper apology goes a long way. Keep it straightforward and sincere. Avoid excuses like the wind took it or I did not think it would reach. The player who has been hit is likely embarrassed as well as sore, and the fastest way to settle the moment is calm, respectful language.
If their ball, buggy or trolley has been affected, acknowledge it. If a hat, glove or phone has been knocked, offer to replace or repair. Most of the time it will not come to that, but the willingness matters.
Know the key Rule: your ball is usually played as it lies
This is where golfers often get surprised. Under the Rules of Golf, if your ball in motion accidentally hits a person, an animal, or an outside influence, there is generally no penalty to anyone. You normally play the ball from where it finishes.
So if your tee shot clips a player on a neighbouring fairway and drops into the first cut, you do not get a free drop just because it was unfortunate. It is still your ball, still in play, and you continue from the new position.
There is one major exception you should remember because it comes up a lot on Irish greens where surfaces can be quick in summer. If you play a ball from the putting green and it hits a person or another ball on the green, the stroke is cancelled and must be replayed. In plain terms, if you putt and it strikes your playing partner’s shoe, you putt again from the original spot.
If you are ever in doubt, ask a member of your group to confirm and, in competition, play a second ball and ask the Committee afterwards. That keeps everything fair and avoids a bad ruling becoming a bigger issue than the collision itself.
What if the other player deliberately stopped it
Thankfully rare, but it does happen. If someone intentionally deflects or stops a ball in motion, the Rules treat that very differently. The player who deliberately interfered can incur a penalty, and you may have the option or requirement to replace or replay depending on the situation.
Most collisions are clearly accidental, especially on links courses where a ball can take a lively bounce and surprise everyone. But if there is any suggestion of intent, call it out calmly and involve the Committee in a competition setting.
How to handle it in stroke play versus match play
In stroke play, you are responsible for playing your own ball correctly and protecting the field. That means taking the proper action under the Rules even if your group feels sympathetic. If a stroke must be replayed, it must be replayed.
In match play, there is a little more room for the opponent to make decisions, such as whether to cancel and replay a stroke in some interference situations. The golden rule is still the same: agree what happened, reference the Rule, and keep moving. If you cannot agree, involve the Committee.
Getting the group settled and play moving again
After a collision there is often an awkward pause where nobody wants to be the first to hit. As the person who played the shot, you can reset the tone quickly.
Do a short check in with the person struck, offer them a moment, then step away and allow their group to continue if they are on a different hole. If you are in the same group, make sure they are comfortable to carry on.
Then return to your ball and play on without rushing. Rushing is how you create a second mistake. A smooth routine and a calmer swing usually produce the best next shot.
Practical prevention on Irish courses
Ireland’s great courses are thrilling partly because they are not always straightforward. Blind tee shots, shared corridors and cross winds come with the territory at places like Ballybunion, Lahinch, Royal Portrush, and of course the magnificent golf right here in County Down.
To reduce the risk of a collision, use these habits every round.
Pick a clear target and commit. Many accidental hits happen when a player is between clubs or between lines and sends a ball sideways.
Wait an extra beat on blind shots. On several holes across Ireland’s top links, you cannot see the landing area. If there is a bell, use it. If there is not, send one player forward only when it is safe and agreed within the group.
Factor the wind properly. A downwind shot can fly much further than expected, especially with modern golf balls. The coastal breeze around Downpatrick can be deceptively strong. If in doubt, take less club and keep the flight down.
Shout early. If you think it might be close, call out immediately. You would rather feel slightly dramatic than arrive to find someone hurt.
Coach’s note: what to do with your swing after the incident
As a coach, I see two common reactions. Some golfers go tentative and steer the ball, while others get angry and swing harder. Neither is ideal.
Your best response is to go back to basics. Breathe, soften your grip, and make your next swing with balance as the priority. If you can finish in control with your chest facing the target and your weight on your front foot, your strike quality will return quickly.
If the collision happened because of a habitual miss, such as a big slice when you aim too far left, note it. That is not a moment for technical overhaul, but it is useful information for your next session on the range. We deal with these patterns every week at Saint Patrick’s, and it is often a simple fix in setup and clubface control.
When to stop playing and get help
Stop play and seek medical help if there is a head strike, any loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, or blurred vision. Even if the person insists they are fine, do not take chances. Arrange for them to get checked. Golf is meant to be a lifelong game, and good decisions in the moment protect that.
Final thoughts
A collision is scary, but it does not have to ruin the day. Handle the human side first, then handle the Rules cleanly, then move on with a steady head. Golf in Ireland is a joy because of its landscapes, its wind, and its variety. Respect those elements, respect the people around you, and you will play better and feel better doing it.
If you want help tightening up your accuracy and decision making on the course, drop into Saint Patrick’s Golf Club in Downpatrick. A little coaching on start line, trajectory control, and course management goes a long way towards keeping every round safe and enjoyable.
