What happens if my ball hits the flagstick?

No penalty if your ball hits the flagstick you left in the hole — play it as it lies. But if you deliberately move the flagstick to help or hurt your shot, that's two strokes.

Leaving the flagstick in

You can putt with the flagstick in the hole, centered or left where the last group put it. No penalty if your ball hits it. Just decide before you stroke — you can't change your mind once the ball is moving.

Moving or removing the flagstick while the ball is moving

After you stroke with the flagstick in, you and your caddie can't deliberately move or remove it to affect where the ball might stop. Do that and it's two strokes. But if you genuinely think the ball won't reach the flagstick, you can have it removed — no penalty.

Other players touching your flagstick

If you left the flagstick in and didn't authorize anyone to attend it, another player can't deliberately move or remove it to mess with your shot. If they do, they get two strokes. No penalty if they reasonably thought your ball wouldn't hit it, or didn't know you were playing.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You deliberately move the flagstick to a non-centered position to gain an advantage and your ball hits it → General penalty (two strokes)
• You or your caddie deliberately move or remove the flagstick while your ball is in motion to affect where it comes to rest → General penalty (two strokes)
• Another player deliberately moves or removes your unattended flagstick to affect your ball in motion → That other player gets the general penalty (two strokes)

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave the flagstick in when I'm off the green?

Yes. Rule 13.2 applies everywhere on the course, not just on the putting green. You can leave it in for a chip, a bunker shot, or any stroke.

What if the flagstick is leaning and I don't like it?

You can center it in the hole before you stroke. But you can't move it to a tilted position to use it as a backstop — that's two strokes if your ball hits it.

My ball hit the flagstick and bounced out of the hole. Do I replay?

No. Play the ball as it lies. No penalty, no replay — that's the risk of leaving the flagstick in.

Can I hold the flagstick while I putt one-handed?

Yes, you can remove it and hold it in one hand while making a one-handed stroke. But you can't use the flagstick to steady yourself — that's a breach of Rule 4.3a.

Someone pulled the flagstick without asking while my ball was rolling. What now?

If they did it to affect your ball, they get two strokes. If they reasonably thought your ball wouldn't reach it, or didn't know you were playing, no penalty. Your ball is played as it lies either way.