Trevor Ng
Hitting the flagstick is one of the most confusing and debated rules in golf. There are many variables to consider, such as who is tending the flag, how they are tending it, and where the flag should be placed when pulled out. The rules around hitting the flagstick have been updated several times, with the latest changes made in 2019 and 2023. Despite these updates, the rules regarding flagsticks remain complex and often leave players confused. This topic has sparked many discussions and questions among golfers, with some seeking clarification on the rules and others sharing their experiences of hitting the flagstick during a game.
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What You'll Learn
Rules regarding hitting the flagstick
Hitting the flagstick is one of the most confusing and debated rules in golf. The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf dedicates six whole pages to what players can and cannot do with the flagstick.
Rule 13 of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf states that players can make a stroke with the flagstick in the hole, whether their ball is on or off the green. The ball can hit the flagstick, and there is no penalty; the player simply plays the ball as it lies. However, this decision must be made before making the stroke. Players can leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed and then put back into the hole. It is important to note that deliberately moving the flagstick to a position other than centred to gain an advantage will result in a general penalty.
Additionally, Rule 13.2b (3) states that players cannot deliberately move or remove the flagstick to influence where a "ball in motion might come to rest". This includes preventing the ball from hitting the flagstick. If the flagstick is unattended and a player's ball strikes it, there is no advantage gained as the ball may either bounce out of the hole or finish in the hole when it might have otherwise missed.
Another important aspect is the tending of the flagstick. If the flagstick is attended, removed, or held up before a player makes a stroke, and the player does not object, they are deemed to have authorized it. During the stroke, if anyone attends or holds up the flagstick, they are considered to be tending it until the ball comes to rest. If an opponent or fellow competitor tends the flagstick without the player's authorization and influences the movement of the ball, they incur a penalty.
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Penalty for not tending the flag
Golfing rules and etiquette can be quite complex, and tending the flag is no exception. The rules around tending the flag and penalties for not doing so have been a source of much debate and confusion.
Firstly, it is important to note that the rules around tending the flag have changed over time. As of 2019, the USGA updated the rules to state that there would be no penalty for a ball hitting a flagstick left in the hole. This was done to speed up play, as removing the flagstick can be time-consuming and is not always feasible, especially for golfers who don't have caddies.
However, this does not mean that there are never any penalties associated with not tending the flag. If a player asks someone to tend the flag and they don't, the player will incur the penalty unless the failure to tend the flag was intentional on the part of the other person. If their inaction was intentional, they will be disqualified.
Additionally, if someone runs up to tend the flag after a player has struck their putt, they will incur a penalty. On the other hand, if the flag is lying on the ground and someone moves it so that the ball won't strike it, that is not a penalty.
The USGA has considered the potential advantages and disadvantages of leaving the flagstick unattended. They have concluded that there is no clear advantage, as sometimes a ball that would have gone in may hit the flag and bounce out, while other times a ball that would have missed may hit the flag and go in.
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Ball hitting the flagstick and bouncing out of the hole
Hitting the flagstick with a ball is one of the most confusing and debated rules in golf. The rules around the flagstick are lengthy and complex, and there are many variables that can come into play.
If a ball hits the flagstick and bounces out of the hole, it is expected that there is no advantage to the player being able to putt with the unattended flagstick in the hole. However, the rules around this situation can get complicated.
For instance, if a player's ball accidentally hits the flagstick or the person tending it, there is no penalty, and the ball must be played as it lies. This is true whether the flagstick is in the hole or not. However, if the flagstick is lying on the ground and someone moves it so that the ball won't strike it, that is not a penalty. On the other hand, if a player asks someone to move the flagstick and they don't, the player will incur a penalty unless the failure to move the flagstick was intentional.
Additionally, if a player decides to make a stroke with the flagstick in the hole, they must decide to do so before making the stroke. They can either leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed and put back into the hole after the stroke. It is not allowed to deliberately move the flagstick to a different position to gain an advantage.
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Moving the flagstick when the ball is in motion
Golf's rules on flagsticks are detailed and nuanced, and the decision on whether to leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed must be made before making a stroke. Rule 13.2a states that players can either leave the flagstick in the hole or have a removed flagstick put back into the hole. However, the flagstick must not be deliberately moved to a position other than centred to gain an advantage, as this will incur a general penalty.
If a player's ball in motion hits the flagstick, there is no penalty, and the ball must be played as it lies. This is permitted under Rule 13.2b (3), which specifies that players cannot deliberately move or remove the flagstick to influence where the ball might come to rest. If the flagstick is moved to prevent the ball from striking it, and it is deemed that this action could influence the movement of the ball, a penalty will be incurred.
If a player fails to make their intentions regarding the flagstick clear, they are deemed to have authorised the flagstick to be attended. This authorisation is also assumed if their caddie is attending the flagstick or if they observe another player attending it without asking them to move away or leave the flag in the hole.
It is important to note that if a player asks someone to tend the flag and they refuse, the player will incur the penalty unless the refusal was intentional, in which case the other person will be disqualified. Additionally, Rule 24-1 specifies that when a ball is in motion, obstructions that might influence its movement, such as equipment or a flagstick, must not be moved. However, Rule 17 also states that players must not take any action to influence the movement of a golf ball or alter physical conditions.
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The flagstick being left at a wonky angle
The act of hitting the flagstick with a ball is one of the most confusing and debated rules in golf. There are many variables, such as who should tend the flag, how they should tend it, and where the flag should be placed when pulled out.
One clarification to Rule 13.2a states that players are "entitled to play the course as he or she finds it, which includes the position in which the preceding group left the flagstick". This means that if the flagstick has been left at a wonky angle, players can leave it as it is and even put it back if it is moved. This is because it is assumed that there is no advantage to being able to putt with the unattended flagstick in the hole. In some cases, the ball may bounce out of the hole after hitting the flagstick, and in other cases, the ball may end up in the hole when it might have otherwise missed.
However, there are limitations to moving or removing a flagstick. Rule 13.2b (3) states that players cannot deliberately move or remove the flagstick to affect where a "ball in motion might come to rest". This means that if a player has hit a putt with the flagstick still in the hole, they cannot then remove or adjust the flagstick to prevent the ball from hitting it.
It is worth noting that the rules regarding the flagstick have evolved over time. The 2019 Rules of Golf removed the requirement to remove the flagstick when a ball was on the putting green, allowing for more flexibility in how players choose to approach their putts.
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Frequently asked questions
If your ball hits the flag, it may either bounce out of the hole or finish in the hole. Either way, you have to play it as it lies. If the flag is unattended, you may choose to leave it as it is or have it pulled out.
If someone tends the flag after you've hit your ball, they will incur a penalty. If they tend the flag without your prior knowledge and the act might influence the movement of the ball, they will incur a penalty of a loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
Rule 17 from the USGA Rules Book states that "Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to indicate the line of play".
If you move the flagstick after your ball has come to rest, you will pick up a general penalty for playing from a wrong place. In stroke play, this could lead to disqualification under Rule 3.3c if you don't rectify the mistake.
Yes, Rule 13.2a clarifies that players are "entitled to play the course as he or she finds it". However, you are limited in moving or removing the flagstick after you've hit a putt with the flagstick still in the hole and the ball is in motion.
