Flagstick In or Out When Putting
Also known as: flagstick in or out, leave the flagstick in, putting with the flagstick in, putt with the flag in, pin in or out, putting with the pin in, leave the pin in, attend the flagstick, tend the flag
Under the Rules of Golf you choose before each stroke: leave the flagstick in, have it removed, or have someone attend it. This applies even when putting from on the green. If your ball hits a flagstick left in the hole, there is no penalty and you play it as it lies. A ball resting against the flagstick counts as holed if any part of it is below the surface of the green.
Under the current Rules, golfers may putt with the flagstick in the hole. Rule 13.2 says you must make the choice before your stroke. You can leave it in, have it removed, or have someone attend it. Each choice is free.
If you leave the flagstick in and the ball hits it, there is no penalty. You play the ball from wherever it ends up. You may not deliberately move the flagstick off-center to help the ball go in; that brings the general penalty. If you have the flagstick removed or attended, accidentally hitting it or the person attending is not a penalty. Only deliberately deflecting or stopping the ball brings a penalty.
Sometimes the ball comes to rest leaning against a flagstick left in the hole. It counts as holed if any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green. If no part is below the surface, it is not holed and you play it as it lies. If the ball moves when the flagstick is removed, replace it on the lip of the hole with no penalty.
Whether the flagstick helps or hurts is mostly personal. Some golfers like it in as a target on long putts and take it out for short ones. Whatever you choose, say so before you putt. Then partners know whether to leave it, pull it or attend it.
Tips by skill level
If you aren't sure, leave the flagstick in. It costs nothing if you hit it, and it keeps play moving.
Pick a personal policy, for example in for long putts and out for short ones, and stick to it. A fixed choice removes one more decision from your routine.
Example
Facing a 40-foot downhill putt, a golfer leaves the flagstick in as a visual target. The ball hits the pin and stops on the lip. There is no penalty, and she taps in for her par. On the next green, from six feet, she asks for it to be taken out.
Why it matters
Keeping the flagstick in saves time and gives a target on long putts, and many golfers still wrongly believe hitting it is a penalty. Knowing the rule avoids both arguments and unnecessary penalties.
Common mistakes
- Believing it is a penalty to hit the flagstick when putting from the green
- Changing the decision after the ball is already rolling
- Leaning the flagstick to one side to help the ball drop
- Pulling the flagstick out with the ball resting against it before checking whether part of the ball is below the surface
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave the flagstick in when putting?
You may leave it in, have it removed or have it attended, and choose before each stroke. There is no penalty if your ball hits a flagstick left in, so many golfers leave it in for long putts.
Is there a penalty if my putt hits the flagstick?
No. Under Rule 13.2 there is no penalty when the ball hits a flagstick left in the hole, even from on the green. Play the ball as it lies.
Is my ball holed if it is leaning against the flagstick?
Yes, if any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green. If no part is below the surface, it is not holed and you play it as it lies.
Sources
Related terms
- PuttingPutting is rolling the ball along the ground toward the hole using a flat-faced club (putter). A round of 90 with 36 putts spends 40% of its strokes on the green, so putting adds up fast.
- Lag PuttingLag putting is the deliberate strategy of putting distance control ahead of making a long putt. The aim is a short, stress-free second putt rather than an aggressive attack on the hole.
- Speed Control (Putting)Speed control is calibrating stroke length and tempo so a putt rolls the intended distance. It is widely considered the single most important putting skill.
- Marking Your Ball on the GreenOnce your ball is on the putting green, you may mark, lift and clean it whenever you like. First place a ball-marker, or hold a club on the ground, right behind or right next to the ball. Replace the ball on exactly the same spot, and remove the marker before you putt. Lifting a ball without marking it first costs one penalty stroke.
- Ready Golf (Pace of Play)"Ready golf" means whoever is ready hits next, instead of strictly waiting for the golfer farthest from the hole. It is widely encouraged in casual and recreational rounds to keep pace of play reasonable.
- Golf EtiquetteGolf etiquette comes down to safety, pace and care of the course. Wait until the group ahead is out of range, shout 'fore' if your ball heads toward anyone, and keep up with the group in front. Repair ball marks, replace or fill divots and rake bunkers after you play from them.
Related guides & benchmarks
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