Can I leave the flagstick in when putting?
Yes, you can leave the flagstick in the hole when you putt. If your ball hits it, there's no penalty and you play the ball as it lies — just decide before you stroke it and don't move the flagstick to help yourself.
What the rule lets you do
You have two choices: leave the flagstick where it is (or center it in the hole), or have someone put it back after it's been removed. You must make that call before you hit the putt. Once you've decided, you can't deliberately move the flagstick to a non-centered spot to gain an advantage — if you do and your ball hits it, that's two strokes.
When your ball hits the flagstick
If you left the flagstick in and your ball strikes it, no penalty. Play the ball where it stops. The only exception is if you deliberately moved the flagstick off-center beforehand — then it's the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play).
Moving the flagstick while the ball is moving
After you've struck the putt with the flagstick in, neither you nor your caddie can deliberately move or remove it to affect where the ball might end up. Doing so costs you the general penalty. But if you genuinely think the ball won't reach the flagstick and you have it removed for that reason, no penalty. Other players can't mess with your flagstick either — if they do it to affect your ball, they get penalized, not you.
Exceptions that change the answer
- The group ahead left the flagstick leaning or off-center → You're entitled to play the course as you find it — you can putt with the flagstick in the position they left it.
- Someone removes your flagstick without your permission while your ball is in motion → The flagstick may be put back while your ball is still moving. The person who removed it still gets the penalty if they did it to affect your ball.
- You want to hold the flagstick yourself while putting one-handed → That's allowed — you can attend your own flagstick or hold it after removing it. But you can't use the flagstick to steady yourself during the stroke.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take the flagstick out when I'm on the green?
No. Since 2019 you can leave it in, take it out, or have someone attend it — your choice. Just decide before you make your stroke.
What happens if my putt hits the flagstick I left in?
No penalty. Play the ball as it lies. The only time it's a penalty is if you deliberately moved the flagstick off-center before putting to try to help your ball.
Can I have the flagstick put back in after I've taken it out?
Yes, as long as you decide before you stroke the putt. You can have someone center it in the hole for you.
What if my playing partner pulls the flagstick while my ball is rolling?
If they did it to affect your ball, they get the general penalty (two strokes/loss of hole). You play your ball as it lies. If they genuinely thought your ball wouldn't reach it, no penalty for anyone.
Can I hold the flagstick with one hand and putt with the other?
Yes, Rule 13.2b allows a one-handed stroke while holding the flagstick. But you can't lean on it or use it to steady yourself — that's a breach of Rule 4.3a.