RULE 17. THE FLAGSTICK
17-1. Flagstick Attended, Removed or Held Up
Prior to a stroke, the flagstick may be attended, removed or held up over the hole for any
stroke.
If flagstick is not attended prior to a stroke, flagstick must not be attended, removed or held
up during stroke or while ball is in motion if doing so might influence the movement of the
ball. Point in time for determination is moment flagstick is removed.
Anyone standing near the hole, within an arm’s length of flagstick, is deemed to be attending
the flagstick. Anyone attending flagstick with player’s knowledge is deemed to be
authorized. An attended flagstick is deemed to be attended until the ball comes to rest.
[A flagstick attended by a partner or caddie, even without player’s knowledge is deemed to
be authorized. Penalty for any breach is assigned to the player.]
** (An attended, removed or held-up flagstick may be moved while a ball is in motion – Rule
24-1.)
17-2. Unauthorized Attendance
An opponent or fellow-competitor or their caddies attending, removing or holding up a
flagstick without authority during a stroke or while a ball is in motion results in a general
penalty. Except, if action could not influence the movement of the ball there is no penalty.
Point in time for determination is moment flagstick is removed.
If there is a breach of Rule 17-2 in stroke play, if ball strikes flagstick or person attending/holding
flagstick, no penalty on player. If the ball is played from the putting green, the stroke is
canceled and replayed.
17-3. Ball Striking Flagstick or Attendant
The player’s ball must not strike:



The flagstick when it is attended, removed or held up; (stroke from anywhere)
The person attending or holding up the flagstick or anything carried by him; or
The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has been made on the putting
green.
When attendance is not authorized, see Rule 17-2.
Penalty: General Penalty
17-4. Ball Resting Against Flagstick
Ball resting against flagstick but not holed; a player or person authorized may move or
remove the flagstick. If the ball falls into hole, the ball is deemed holed with the last stroke.
If ball moves away from hole, ball must be placed on lip without penalty.
In stroke play, if person other than the player or person authorized, moves the flagstick and
the ball falls in the hole or moves away from the hole, the ball must be replaced against the
flagstick, without penalty. If an opponent moves the flagstick without authorization and the
ball moves, the opponent incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced
against the flagstick.
Robin Farran and Dennis Walsh
110815
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