Flagstick Rule in Golf: In or Out? What Changed in 2019
Since the 2019 rule change under Rule 13.2, you can putt with the flagstick in the hole and there is no penalty if your ball strikes it. The old two-stroke penalty for hitting the flagstick from the green was eliminated entirely. A penalty only applies if you or your caddie deliberately use the flagstick to deflect the ball, or if someone attending the flag fails to remove it before the ball reaches the hole.
The 2019 change every golfer needs to know
Rule 13.2 is one of the most frequently misapplied rules in amateur golf — and since the 2019 overhaul it is also the most misunderstood, because the 2-stroke penalty that used to exist no longer does in the most common situation.
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 as part of the 2019 overhaul that restructured golf's rulebook from 34 rules to 24 — a wider modernisation that abolished several penalties widely seen as disproportionate.
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 (the flagstick must be fully out of the hole before the ball reaches it — not pulled at the last second once the ball is at the lip)
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 ✗
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my putt hits the flagstick when I leave it in the hole?
If your ball strikes the unattended flagstick in the hole, there is no penalty under Rule 13.2. You play the ball as it lies. This has been the rule since the 2019 changes.
Is there still a penalty for hitting the flagstick from off the green?
No, there is no penalty if your ball hits the flagstick from off the green either. The 2019 change removed the penalty specifically for shots from on the green; shots from off the green were already penalty-free.
When does a penalty actually apply with the flagstick?
A general penalty (two strokes in stroke play) applies only if you or your caddie deliberately position the flagstick to deflect the ball, or if someone attending the flag fails to remove it completely before the ball reaches the hole.
Should I leave the flagstick in or take it out on long putts?
Leaving the flagstick in on long putts can help — it acts as a visual target and can stop balls with too much pace. On short putts it makes little statistical difference. Many players now leave it in for all putts to save time.
What if my caddie attends the flag and doesn't pull it in time?
If you ask someone to attend the flag and they don't remove it before your ball reaches the hole, you incur the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play). The flagstick must be fully out of the hole before the ball arrives, not pulled at the last second.