What do you do with the flagstick when you’re on the green? Do you just leave it in the hole – allowed as part of the 2019 rules changes – or are you a serial lifter?
Many of us remove the flag and then plonk it down without really thinking about where we’ve left it. Occasionally, that can cause a panic, as this question reveals:
“The flagstick is lying on the green. No one is attending it. No one is near it. The player makes a stroke on the green. Their ball is in motion and they realise it is going to miss the hole and hit the flagstick.
“They run forward and, while the ball is still moving, lift the flagstick. Is there a penalty?”
Firstly, can I say I’m impressed at our questioner’s agility. I’d be statuesque. But dodgy ankles aside, what does happen if you find yourself in this predicament?
Golf flagstick rules: Can you shift the flag?
I have a litmus test for potential rules columns. I ask the question and if enough people in the office get it wrong it passes. This one was a 50-50 split.
It just feels like it’s going to be a problem, doesn’t it? Moving an object deliberately, or affecting where a ball might end up, seems like a penalty waiting to happen.
Much of the time you would be right and counting the cost. But not when it comes to a removed flagstick.
The rule that stops you getting involved when a ball is in motion – it’s 11.3 – has an exception that allows you to lift or move a removed flagstick when a ball is in motion.
This rule also allows you to sprint in and shift a ball at rest on the putting green (though you’d need to consult rules on touching and marking balls, specifically Rule 9.4, 9.5 and 14.1 to see if a penalty applied) and equipment belonging to any player.
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Notice the term “removed flagstick”. Taking it out of the hole, including when it is attended, when a ball is in motion is a bit different and covered by Rule 13.2.
Got a question for our expert?
Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.
What do you think of these golf flagstick rules? Let me know by leaving a comment below, email me at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com or get in touch on X.
