Rules question · Rule 13.2a · Hard
Removed the flagstick while my putt was moving: is there a penalty?
You putt with the flagstick in the hole. The ball is rolling quickly towards it. So that it does not bounce off, you hurry over and remove the flagstick before the ball gets there. What is the ruling?
Answer
Two penalty strokes
Once you have decided to play with the flagstick in the hole, you must not deliberately move or remove it to affect where your ball in motion comes to rest. Otherwise you get the general penalty, two penalty strokes in stroke play. There is no penalty if you remove it for another reason, for example because you are sure the ball will not reach it.