What happens if my ball is resting against the flagstick and it moves when the flagstick is removed

No penalty. If your ball is resting against the flagstick in the hole and moves when the flagstick is removed, you must replace it on the lip of the hole (Rule 13.2c). The ball is not holed unless it falls in.

What the rule says

Rule 13.2c covers the specific case where your ball comes to rest against the flagstick while the flagstick is in the hole. If someone then removes the flagstick and the ball moves — whether it falls out, rolls away, or just shifts — you do not play it as it lies. You must replace the ball on the lip of the hole. There is no penalty to anyone, including the person who removed the flagstick.

What to do step by step

First, confirm the ball was actually resting against the flagstick in the hole before the flagstick was moved. If it was, and the ball moves when the flagstick comes out, pick up the ball and place it on the lip of the hole. The lip means the edge of the hole, not inside it. You do not drop it; you place it. Then you putt out from there. If the ball falls into the hole when the flagstick is removed, it counts as holed with your previous stroke.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not play the ball from its new position after it moves. That would be playing from a wrong place and costs you the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play). Also do not assume the ball is holed just because it was touching the flagstick — it only counts as holed if it actually falls in when the flagstick comes out. And do not penalize the person who pulled the flagstick; Rule 13.2c explicitly says there is no penalty to anyone.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball falls into the hole when the flagstick is removed → The ball is holed with your previous stroke. You do not replace it and you do not putt again.
• The ball was not in the hole but resting against the flagstick lying on the green → Rule 13.2c does not apply. That is a ball moved by an outside influence (Rule 9.6) — replace it on its original spot with no penalty.

Frequently asked questions

What if the ball falls in when the flagstick is removed?

The ball is holed with your previous stroke. You do not replace it and you do not putt again (Rule 13.2c).

What if I accidentally knock the flagstick and the ball moves?

Same outcome — no penalty to anyone. Replace the ball on the lip of the hole (Rule 13.2c).

Do I get a penalty if the ball moves when the flagstick comes out?

No. Rule 13.2c explicitly states there is no penalty to the player or the person who removed the flagstick.

What if the ball was not in the hole but resting against the flagstick on the green?

Rule 13.2c does not apply. That is a ball moved by an outside influence (Rule 9.6) — replace it on its original spot with no penalty.

Can I put the flagstick back to stop the ball moving?

No. Once the flagstick is removed and the ball moves, you must replace the ball on the lip. Putting the flagstick back does not change the ruling.