Rules question · Rule 13.2a · Expert
Can I lean the flagstick in the hole?
You putt with the flagstick in the hole. Beforehand you deliberately set it at an angle because you think it will help you. Your putt hits the flagstick. What is the ruling?
Answer
Two penalty strokes
You may leave the flagstick as you find it, even if the group ahead put it back leaning. You may also centre it in the hole. But if you deliberately position it differently to gain an advantage and your ball hits it, you get the general penalty, two penalty strokes in stroke play.