What if the person attending the flagstick deliberately deflects my ball?

Yes, there's a penalty. If the person attending the flagstick deliberately deflects or stops your ball in motion, you get the general penalty (two strokes) and must replay the stroke from the original spot.

What the rule says

When you have someone attend the flagstick, they're supposed to pull it out and get out of the way. If that person deliberately touches your ball in motion — catches it, blocks it, kicks it — they've broken Rule 13.2b(2). You add two strokes to your score and replay the putt from where you hit it. The ball doesn't stay where it ended up; you pretend that stroke never happened.

Accidental contact is different

If the attendant accidentally gets hit by your ball — they pulled the stick and your putt hits their foot, or the wind blows the flag into your ball — there's no penalty to anyone. You play the ball as it lies. The key word is "deliberately." If they didn't mean to interfere, the rub of the green applies.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The attendant deliberately deflects or stops the ball → General penalty (two strokes) and you must replay from the original spot
• The attendant accidentally touches the ball in motion → No penalty to anyone; play the ball as it lies

Frequently asked questions

What if my caddie is attending the flag and deliberately stops my ball?

Same penalty — two strokes and replay. Your caddie's deliberate action counts as yours under Rule 10.3c.

Does the ball stay where it stopped after being deliberately deflected?

No. You must cancel that stroke and replay from the original spot. The deliberate interference wipes out the result.

What if the flagstick attendant says they didn't mean it?

If it truly wasn't deliberate — a reflex, a slip, the wind — no penalty. But if they reached out, positioned themselves, or made any intentional move to affect the ball, it's deliberate.

Can I choose to play the ball where it ended up instead of replaying?

No. When there's a deliberate deflection by the attendant, you don't have the option. The stroke is cancelled and you must replay.

What if another player (not attending) deliberately stops my ball?

That's Rule 11.2a — they get the general penalty, and you estimate where the ball would have finished and play from there (or replay if on the green). Different rule, different outcome.