Ylijäämälyönti

Ylijäämälyönti is a Finnish term that translates to "surplus stroke" or "redundant stroke" and is primarily used in the context of golf. It refers to a stroke that is taken unnecessarily and does not contribute to the progress of the ball towards the hole in a legitimate way. This typically occurs when a player swings at the ball but misses it entirely, or when the ball is not in play and a player attempts to strike it.

In golf, a ylijäämälyönti results in a penalty stroke. For instance, if a player attempts to hit the ball from the tee and misses it completely, that constitutes one stroke and an additional penalty stroke for the missed attempt, meaning the player has effectively taken two strokes to reach the teeing ground. Similarly, if a ball is out of bounds or in a penalty area and a player makes a stroke at it under the mistaken belief that it is still in play, that stroke will be counted along with any applicable penalties.

The concept of ylijäämälyönti emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and ensuring the ball is in play before attempting a stroke. It serves as a reminder that every action on the course is governed by the rules, and a lapse in attention can lead to added strokes and a higher score. Understanding and avoiding ylijäämälyönti is a fundamental aspect of playing golf according to the rules and striving for efficient play.