Anyone standing close enough to touch the flagstick while a shot is being played is considered to be tending the flag. 17-2. Unless the player consents, neither his competitor nor his competitor’s caddie is allowed to tend, remove or hold up the flagstick if it might influence the ball’s movement.
Full Answer
Can a caddie remove the flagstick from a golf ball?
Here, Rule 13.2b (3) says you, or your caddie, can’t deliberately move or remove the flagstick to affect where that “ball in motion might come to rest”. The obvious example, and which is given in the Rule, is to stop it hitting the flagstick. If you do this, add the general penalty onto your score.
Who is responsible for the flagstick on the golf course?
This means that the person standing closest to the flag will be responsible for it until a ball comes to rest. A golfer can request that the flagstick be removed whether it’s off or on the green. It can also be left in if the shots going to be played from off the green.
Should players be allowed to putt with the flagstick in the hole?
“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.
Why do golf courses color code the flags on Flagsticks?
Some golf courses color code the flags on flagsticks to denote if the hole location is near the front, center or back of the green. Another way of doing the same thing is to put the flag high, middle or low on the stick. (A course that does this should note the practice on its scorecard or pin sheet.)
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.
WHO removes the flagstick in golf?
13.2 The Flagstick. Purpose of Rule: This Rule covers the player's choices for dealing with the flagstick. The player may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played), but must decide before making a stroke.
Can you hold the flagstick while putting?
A question that often gets asked is if you can hit a putt while holding the flagstick. An interpretation to Rule 13.2b (1) confirms that you can make a stroke one-handed while hanging on to the pole, but you can't use it to steady yourself while you make the stroke.
What is tending the flagstick?
"Tending the flag" means that someone — your caddie, another golfer — stands next to the flagstick in order to remove it from the cup after you've struck your putt. Note that (as of the 2019 Rules of Golf edition) a golfer may choose to play to the hole with the flag in or the flag out, at the player's preference.
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.
Who putts first if someone is off the green?
The short version is that the hole is started by whoever played the last hole best – meaning lowest score has the honor (fancy word for going first on the tee). After the initial shots, the ball farthest from the hole plays first, regardless of whether the ball is on the green or not.
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 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.
Where do you put flagstick?
If you move the flagstick, or authorize someone else to do it, and the ball comes to rest at the bottom, it's holed. But if it doesn't drop, you must place it on the lip of the hole (no penalty) and tap in. UNWRITTEN ▶ When you remove the flagstick, place it gently on the ground. Don't just let it drop.
Can a caddie remove the ball from the hole?
The player's caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player's ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player's ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.
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.
Can I remove the flagstick in golf?
As of 2019, a golfer may choose to play a hole with the flagstick in or out. In previous years, the golfer would have received a penalty for not having the flagstick removed. However, now it is the golfer's choice so they can choose to leave the flagstick in and play that way.
Why do they leave the flagstick in when putting?
"That changes the ball's spin, which might help diminish its downward velocity. So the ball will have a greater chance of staying out of the hole," he said. In other words, the ball's tendency to bounce away from the flagstick will override its tendency to drop into the hole.
What is a Ranger in golf?
Position Concept: The Ranger assists with directing the flow of traffic on the course, enforcing facility rules, assisting customers with course etiquette, alerting management to any golf course problems, promoting the facility and its events and assisting players with any on-course problems.
What does yelling fore mean in golf?
to alertGolfers yell fore to alert other golfers that they may be in danger of getting struck by their ball. You should always yell fore if you're unsure where your ball will land, and it is at risk of hitting a golfer. The term fore likely originated from the term forecaddie, although the exact history is unknown.
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 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 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 does it mean to hold a flagstick in golf?
That means that one golfer stands next to the hole and holds the flagstick, then removes it before the other golfer's putted ball reaches the hole.
What is a flagstick?
A flagstick is exactly that: a stick with a flag on it*. You see them on putting greens to mark the location of the hole. Some golf courses color code the flags on flagsticks to denote if the hole location is near the front, center or back of the green.
Is it OK to putt with flagstick in?
1, 2019, that penalty was removed — it is now OK for golfers to putt to a hole with the flagstick in or out, at the golfer's preference. In the golf rules, situations involving the flagstick are covered in Rule 13-2, within the broader Rule 13 that addresses situations on the putting greens.
Can you put the flag high on the stick?
Another way of doing the same thing is to put the flag high, middle or low on the stick. (A course that does this should note the practice on its scorecard or pin sheet.) Prior to 2019, it was a penalty for the golf ball to enter the cup with the flagstick still in the hole for any stroke played from the surface of the putting green. ...
Is a flagstick circular?
In a separate section of the Rules of Golf (not included in the normal rulebook) called the Equipment Rules, the governing bodies also state that the flagstick must be circular in cross-section, cannot include any shock-absorbing material or other material that might influence the movement of the golf ball.
Is "flagstick" a synonym for "pin"?
"Flagstick" and "pin" are synonyms and are used interchangeably by golfers. ("Flagstick" is often shortened to just "flag," too.) However, the governing bodies always use flagstick, never pin. So you might say that flagstick is the technically accurate term of the two words.
Do flagsticks have to be at the top of the golf cart?
So be sure to familiarize yourself with Rule 13-2 for any questions regarding the role of the flagstick in golf. (*Note that a flagstick does not have to have a flag, or banner or bunting, flying at its top. Rarely, golfers encounter other items at the top of the flagstick, such as wicker baskets at Merion Golf Club .)
Who tends the flag in golf?
It’s important to know that if the flag is in the hole, the person that stands near it is going to be deemed as the person that will tend the flag unless another player requests the job. This means that the person standing closest to the flag will be responsible for it until a ball comes to rest.
What is the purpose of a flag in golf?
The main purpose of the flag is to show golfers where the next hole is. Golf range finders often come equipped with a pin seeking feature that measures the distance from the range finder to the pin. This makes it easier to accurately gauge the distance, although experienced players can usually eyeball the flag and come up with a distance that’s ...
What is flag etiquette?
Flag Etiquette. The term tending the flag refers to someone standing next to the flagstick and removing it from the cup once a player has struck their putt. A golfer can choose to play to the hole with the flag out or in, based on their preference. In years past, if a golfer played a stroke from the green to the cup with the flag still in, ...
Why are flags important in golf?
In golf, the flags are a very important part of the game. The flag is used to identify where a hole is placed. The flags extend up to several feet above the ground which allows a player on the course to easily locate the hole’s position on the green from hundreds of yards away.
When can you request flagstick tending?
A player can request tending of the flag when they’re attempting long putts. This is when a player may have difficulty seeing the hole from a long shot. Some players will also request flagstick tending when chipping off the green. The flag should be tended for another player if: A player requests it.
How to tend a flag?
When tending the flag, make sure that you’re not standing directly behind the cup. Instead, move to the side. When you take the flagstick out it’s important that you place it at a point where it’s not going to interfere with the line of a shot. Not doing this can result in penalties.
Can you leave a flagstick in a golf club?
A golfer can request that the flagstick be removed whether it’s off or on the green. It can also be left in if the shots going to be played from off the green. Offering to tend the flag is good etiquette, especially if the player is the last to play in a group on the green.
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.
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.”.
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.
What percentage of a putt goes in with a flagstick in?
The average with a flagstick in was 45 percent, as high as 61 percent with the fiberglass pin and as low as 36 percent with the dual-diameter pin. In general then, a putt that would have struck the flagstick off-center is twice as likely to go in with the flagstick out as it is with the flagstick in.
Does a flagstick hurt your chances of a putt going in?
The facts of his study suggest the opposite, that the flagstick does much, much more to hurt your chances of a putt going in than help turn a bad putt into a made one.