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what is the ruling for when a golf ball hits a flagstick

by Joyce Bergstrom Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

If the player's ball in motion accidentally hits the flagstick. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. (... Continued) or the person who removed or is attending it (or anything the person is holding), there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.

Full Answer

What happens if your ball hits a flagstick in golf?

A player is penalized if his ball hits a flagstick being tended, removed or held up, or hits the person tending it. A penalty is also incurred if a putt from the green strikes an unattended flagstick or a flagstick lying on the green.

What is the penalty for hitting a flagstick off the Green?

(There’s no penalty for striking an unattended flagstick from off the green.) Penalties for violating Rule 17-3: Match play – loss of hole. Stroke play – two strokes, and the ball must be played as it lies (i.e., no re-playing the stroke).

What are the rules on holding the flagstick in the hole?

The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has been made on the putting green. Exception: When the flagstick is attended, removed or held up without the player's authority - see Rule 17-2. Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes and the ball must be played as it lies. 17-4. Ball Resting Against Flagstick

Why did the USGA change the flagstick rule?

Why It Was Changed: The USGA cited its main reason for changing this rule as pace of play. “Allowing a player to putt with the flagstick in the hole without fear of penalty should generally help speed up play,” the organization posted on its website.

What happens if you hit the flagstick 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.

Why did the PGA change the flagstick rule?

The United States Golf Association and the U.K.'s Royal and Ancient Golf Club changed the rule mainly to speed up play. Since most golfers don't use caddies, the need for individual golfers to remove the flag when they reach the green can increase their time on it.

When did the PGA change the flagstick rule?

The issue of not touching the flagstick was an easy one for golfers: the USGA changes its rules at the beginning of 2019, allowing players to putt with the flagstick left in the hole. While most professional and high-caliber amateurs take the flagstick out, other accomplished players such as Adam Scott leave it in.

Does the flagstick have to be removed when putting?

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 is the penalty for hitting the flagstick while putting?

There is normally no penalty if a ball in motion hits the flagstick. This Rule applies to a ball played from anywhere on the course. Continued), whether on or off the putting green. Continued).

Who is responsible for putting the flagstick back in the hole?

1. It's important to realise that if the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it, they are deemed to be attending the flag (unless requested otherwise by the player concerned) and therefore responsible for it until the ball comes to rest.

When can you remove the flagstick in golf?

Once the person putting has made contact with the ball, then you can lift the flagstick out of the cup. Be sure to lift it straight up because it can become stuck otherwise, or you could pull out the liner. As the ball approaches the hole, walk away with the flagstick.

What if my golf ball hits another?

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).

How many balls can a pro golfer carry in his bag?

nine golf ballsUnder the Rules of Golf, a golfer can carry as many golf balls as they want in their bag. Really, they can carry as many golf balls as they're willing to carry around themselves or their caddie is willing to lug around for them. Most PGA Tour golfers carry in the area of nine golf balls in their bag per round.

Is a putt from the fringe considered a putt?

The fringe is not the putting surface. Putting stats are based on those putts you hit while on the putting surface. On a par 4 if your 2nd lands on fringe, you do not get GIR. Thus your 3rd is not a putt.

Can you move sand on the putting green?

Can you remove sand, or loose soil, from the putting green? Yes. Rule 13.1c (1) says sand and loose soil on the green can be 'removed without penalty'. You can do that 'no matter whether the ball is on or off the putting green'.

Can you switch golf balls on the green?

You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.

What happens if you hold a flagstick in a hole?

Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it while a stroke is being made, he is deemed to be attending the flagstick. Note 2: If, prior to the stroke, the flagstick is attended, removed or held up by anyone with the player's knowledge and he makes no objection, the player is deemed to have authorized it.

What happens if you don't hold up a flagstick?

If the flagstick is not attended, removed or held up before the player makes a stroke, it must not be attended, removed or held up during the stroke or while the player's ball is in motion if doing so might influence the movement of the ball. Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it while a stroke is being made, ...

Can you get penalized for flagstick?

Unfortunately you would actually incur the penalty unless it was intentional. If it is intentional and they tried to influence your ball or force you to get penalized then they will be disqualified. Hopefully that helps clear up some of the common misconceptions when it comes to dealing with the flagstick.

Should you leave the pin in when you are off the green?

So make sure that you are clear when you are off the green that you want someone to tend it and pull it as your ball nears. In most cases unless you really think you are going to make it or at least have a chance to, it's probably best to leave the pin in.

Can you putt a 40 yard pitch shot?

Short chips around the green or putts from the fringe can be made whereas a 40 yard pitch shot most likely won't be. Something to note is that if someone is not tending the flag when you putt, they can't run up there and tend it after you have struck your putt if they think you are going to hit the flag.

What happens if the ball stops against a flagstick?

If the ball stops against a flagstick that’s in the hole, then falls into the cup when the flag is removed, the player is considered to have holed out with the previous shot. If the ball doesn’t fall in, it is placed on the lip without penalty. 17-1. Flagstick Attended, Removed Or Held Up.

What is the USGA rule for flagsticks?

USGA Rules. 17-1. From anywhere on the course, the player is allowed to have someone tend, remove or hold up the flagstick so that he can see the hole’s position.

What happens if you hold a flagstick in a hole?

Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it while a stroke is being made, he is deemed to be attending the flagstick. Note 2: If, prior to the stroke, the flagstick is attended, removed or held up by anyone with the player’s knowledge and he makes no objection, the player is deemed to have authorized it.

What does it mean when a flagstick is held up?

Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to indicate the position of the hole. If the flagstick is not attended, removed or held up before the player makes a stroke, it must not be attended, removed or held up during ...

When is the flagstick unattended?

The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has been made on the putting green. Exception: When the flagstick is attended, removed or held up without the player’s authority – see Rule 17-2.

What is stroke play?

Stroke play – two strokes, and the ball must be played as it lies (i.e., no re-playing the stroke). Exception: If a player’s competitor or competitor’s caddie is tending the flag and refuses to remove it in attempt to cause a penalty, the competitor (not the player) incurs the penalty and may be disqualified. 17-4.

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.

Can you play a provisional in golf?

No and yes: A provisional is only used for balls thought to be lost “outside a water hazard or out of bounds,” according to Rule 27-2. Since you thought your first shot had entered the water hazard, you could not play a provisional.

Can you strike a flagstick off the green?

Your opponent learned the hard way that you want to rattle the flagstick from off the green, not on it. According to Rule 17-3a, after a stroke is made on the green, the ball may not strike the flagstick, whether the pin is in the hole, attended or lying on the putting surface. The ball’s path is the sole responsibility of the person who struck it.

When a ball would have come to rest anywhere on course except on putting green?

(...Continued) the original ball or another ball in this relief area Relief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: (...Continued) (see Rule 14.3 ):

What is Rule 11 golf?

Rule 11 also restricts a player from deliberately taking actions to affect where any ball in motion might come to rest. This Rule applies any time a ball in play In Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (...Continued) is in motion ...

What is the general penalty in tennis?

A player gets the general penalty General Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if he or she deliberately deflects or stops any ball in motion.

What is a ball marker?

For a player’s right to have a ball or ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. (...

What happens if a ball is played as it lies?

Ball Must Be Played as It Lies. If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence Outside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course:, the ball must be played as it lies, except in two situations:

What is a continued ball?

Continued) is made if he or she reasonably believes the ball or ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.

What does "ball in motion" mean?

A person deliberately touches the ball in motion, or. The ball in motion hits any equipment Equipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. (... Continued) or other object ( except a ball-marker Ball-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, ...

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