
The Old Rule: Hitting the flagstick with your ball from on the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty. The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a (2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.”
What happens if you hit a golf ball off the Green?
What if your ball was off the green and hit a ball on the putting surface? It’s a different situation. This time there’s no penalty, you play the ball as it lies, per Rule 11.1, and the player whose ball you struck again puts it back.
What are the new rules of golf on the putting green?
There are a number of new rules in the updated Rules of Golf, from how to take a proper drop to how to proceed when you hit your drive out of bounds, but some of the most notable changes have occurred on the putting green.
What happens if your ball hits the flagstick on the Green?
The Old Rule: Hitting the flagstick with your ball from on the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty. The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a (2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.”
What are the rules for moving the ball on the Green?
There are two specific rules for a ball or ball-marker that moves on the putting green. (1) No Penalty for Accidentally Causing Ball to Move: There is no penalty if the player, opponent or another player in stroke play accidentally moves the player's ball or ball-marker on the putting green.

What happens if you hit the flag in golf?
Leaving it in You all know you can make a stroke with the flagstick in the hole, whether your ball is on or off the green, and the ball in motion can hit the flagstick, there's no penalty and you play it as it lies.
Does a putt count if it hits the flag?
The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a(2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.” Players will still have the option to remove the flagstick or to have someone tend the pin and remove it after the ball is struck.
Can you put on the green with the flag in?
And now it's completely within the rules. As of the start of the 2019 calendar year, golfers of all levels can now putt with the flagstick left in the hole. Caddies can also take the flag out or have it attended - previously the only two options.
What happens if I accidentally hit the ball on the putting green?
When a player's ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
What is the penalty for hitting the flagstick while putting?
0:000:49Rules of Golf Explained: The Flagstick (New for 2019) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe primary use of a flag stick is to show the location of the hole. Before playing a shot fromMoreThe primary use of a flag stick is to show the location of the hole. Before playing a shot from anywhere on the course you can pull the flagstick. Or get someone to attend the flagstick. And pull it
What are the rules for putting in golf?
The putting green is the only area of the golf course where you can move loose impediments from around your golf ball. This includes leaves, sand, and dirt that can impede your ball's path to the hole. Players are also free to fix any ball marks on the green, and common courtesy includes fixing your own.
How many balls can a PGA player carry?
On the PGA Tour, change happens far more often. There's no limit to how many golf balls a player can carry in his or her bag, so long as they comply with the One Ball Rule, which dictates the same model and manufacturer. Rich Beem used to play with a new ball on every hole.
Can you touch the green before putting?
Current Rule: Under Rule 16-1a, when a player's ball is on the putting green: ➢ The player is generally prohibited from touching his or her line of putt. ➢ But there are seven exceptions (such as when removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, when lifting or replacing a ball, when repairing ball marks, etc.).
Does a golf ball have to hit the bottom of the cup?
When Is a Ball Considered 'Holed Out'? the USGA says there are 2 factors in order for a golf ball to be 'holed out' or 'holed'. The entire golf ball must be both below the surface at the cup and completely at rest.
Is there a penalty for hitting another golf ball on the green 2021?
No Penalty to Any Player Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play: If the player's ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes).
Is it a stroke in golf if you swing and miss?
Under the Rules of Golf, any stroke in which you intend to hit the ball counts. It doesn't matter how far the ball goes. If you swing and miss, and you were trying to hit the ball, then it counts.
Is it a penalty if you hit your ball on a practice swing?
Under Rule 9.4, you get a 1-stroke penalty for accidentally causing the ball to move and must replace it. Rules Guy: Can you ground your club with a practice swing in a bunker when your ball is outside of it?
When is the ball actually on the putting green?
Is it on or is it off? It’s a pretty serious question if you want to mark, lift and clean the ball but aren’t sure whether you can or not.
What damage can I repair?
The 2019 revisions to the rules loosened up some of the restrictions that had previously been in place. So you’ll be well aware you can repair ball marks, shoe damage such as spike marks, scrapes, and indentations caused by either flagstick or equipment.
What if I move the ball by accident?
We’ve all done this one – most famously Dustin Johnson at the 2016 US Open. That act of ever-so-slightly brushing the ball during a practice stroke actually resulted in a rules change.
What is the rule for hitting the flagstick in golf?
The rule is outlined in Rule 13.2a. “If you make a stroke with the flagstick left in the hole and the ball in motion then hits the flagstick, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.
Is it legal to move your ball on the green?
This is outline under Rule 13.1c. And under Rule 13.1d, accidentally moving your ball on the outing green is no longer a penalty .
What are the new rules for golf?
Golf's New Rules: Major Changes. New Rule: Under Rule 13.2a (2): There is no longer a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole. Players are not required to putt with the flagstick in the hole; rather, they continue to have the choice to have it removed ...
Can you putt with a flagstick in a hole?
On balance it is expected that there is no advantage in being able to putt with the unattend ed flagstick in the hole: In some cases, the ball may strike the flagstick and bounce out of the hole when it might otherwise have been holed, and. In other cases, the ball may hit the flagstick and finish in the hole when it might otherwise have missed.
What happens if you hit your ball on the green?
If you accidentally hit your ball while making a practice swing on the green, this does not count as a shot. All you have to do is move the ball back to its original spot and then mark your ball with a ball marker. See the official rule, 13.1d (1), below: There are two specific rules for a ball or ball-marker that moves on the putting green. ...
What are the rules for putting greens?
There are two specific rules for a ball or ball-marker that moves on the putting green. (1) No Penalty for Accidentally Causing Ball to Move: There is no penalty if the player , opponent or another player in stroke play accidentally moves the player's ball or ball-marker on the putting green. The player must: Replace the ball on its original spot ...
When a ball in motion hits a ball marker on the putting green, does the stroke count?
There is an exception to Rule 11.1b that says when a ball in motion hits a ball marker on the putting green, the stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. In this case, it’s in the hole so write the score down and move on.
Can a player move a ball marker out of the way?
Of course before the stroke, a player whose ball marker might help or interfere with play can move it out of the way if it is their own, using Rule 15.3c, or, if the marker belongs to another player, require that player to move it.
What is the penalty for hitting a flagstick?
The Old Rule: Hitting the flagstick with your ball from on the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty. The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a (2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.”.
Why do golfers take flagsticks out to putt out?
Because most golfers don’t play with caddies, the process of taking the flagstick out to putt out can delay play , and the USGA added that it does not anticipate the rule resulting in a scoring advantage.
What does it mean to leave a flagstick in?
Leaving the flagstick in means you can ram in some short putts, taking break and doubt out of them. (But be careful — one firmly-struck missed putt can zip by!) Where this rule can more reliably help you is in pace of play. No longer do you have to feel a twinge of guilt for tapping in without first removing the pin.
Can you putt with a pin in golf?
Yes, as far as these things go. It already has been controversial! The headlines thus far have come from Bryson DeChambeau, who announced to GOLF.com last month that he intends to putt with the pin in. “It depends on the COR, the coefficient of restitution of the flagstick,” he said.
Leaving it in
You all know you can make a stroke with the flagstick in the hole, whether your ball is on or off the green, and the ball in motion can hit the flagstick, there’s no penalty and you play it as it lies.
Taking it out
Some like it in, some like it out. This is what happens when you opt for the latter under Rule 13.2b. Again, you decide before you make the stroke and either have it taken out or you authorise someone to attend it.
The ball is resting against the flagstick
Well, is it holed or isn’t it? It depends, but Rule 13.2c is pretty clear on the matter. If your ball comes to rest against a flagstick that is left in the hole and “any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green” then it is holed – even if the whole of the ball isn’t below that surface.
