Flagstick Rule in Golf: In or Out? What Changed in 2019
The 2019 change every golfer needs to know
Before 2019, putting from the green with the flagstick in the hole and having the ball strike it was a 2-stroke penalty. The rule changed fundamentally.
Since the 2019 Rules update (Rule 13.2):
A player may putt with the flagstick in or out. If the ball strikes the unattended flagstick in the hole, there is no penalty.
This is one of the most significant changes in modern golf rules and still one of the most frequently misunderstood.
Options available on the green
You have three options on every putt:
| Option | What you do | Penalty if ball hits flagstick |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstick in | Leave flagstick in the hole | No penalty |
| Flagstick out | Remove before putting | (No flagstick to hit) |
| Flagstick attended | Someone holds it and removes when ball approaches | See below |
When a penalty DOES apply
A penalty only exists if someone deliberately interferes with the ball's path using the flagstick. Specifically:
- If the player or caddie deliberately positions the flagstick to act as a backstop for the ball (clear intention to use it as a deflector) → General penalty (2 strokes in stroke play)
- If the person attending the flag fails to remove it in time and the ball strikes it → General penalty for the player who requested the attendance
In practice: if you simply leave the flag in without intending to use it to stop the ball and the ball touches it, there is no penalty.
What about shots from off the green?
The same rule applies from off the green. If you chip or play an approach with the flagstick in the hole and the ball strikes it, there is no penalty.
Before 2019, striking the unattended flagstick from off the green was also penalty-free (it was already allowed). The 2019 change eliminated the penalty specifically for shots played from on the green.
Is it better to leave the flag in or take it out?
Studies and statistics since the 2019 change suggest that for most players, leaving the flagstick in on long putts can be advantageous: the flagstick acts as a visual target and can redirect balls that carry too much pace. On short putts, the flagstick makes little statistical difference.
From a pace of play perspective, leaving the flag in throughout and never attending it is the most efficient option — it eliminates all flag management on every hole.
Quick summary
- Putt with flag in and ball hits it → No penalty ✓
- Play from off the green and ball hits unattended flag → No penalty ✓
- Ask someone to attend the flag and they don't remove it in time → General penalty ✗
- Deliberately use the flagstick to deflect the ball → General penalty ✗