What is the penalty for striking a ball during a practice swing?

Striking a ball during a practice swing incurs no penalty because practice swings are not considered actual strokes in golf. A golfer is allowed to take practice swings without affecting their score or penalties, as long as the ball is not deliberately struck with the intention of playing it.

In competitive play, rules are implemented to ensure fair play, but practice swings are specifically designed to help players find rhythm or gauge the conditions. As such, any motion that resembles a swing but doesn’t result in hitting the actual ball does not count against the player.

This context highlights why the other choices, which involve penalties such as loss of hole, one-stroke penalties, or disqualification, do not apply to this situation. They pertain to infractions or intentional actions taken during the play, rather than actions taken for practice.