Hitting flagstick when laying outside the green

[AlvaroG]

Hello,
What rule would apply when after a putting shot (from inside the green) the ball hits the flagstick, which is laying down on the fringe (outside de green)?
Should the flagstick be considered as a movable obstruction, as bunker rakes are? And then, there is not any penalty?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Colin L]

Rule 17-3 applies whether the flagstick is lying on or off the green.

The player's ball must not strike:
a. The flagstick when it is attended, removed or held up.......

You might want to note that you are allowed to move the flagstick while a ball is in motion. and so if you saw the putt heading towards the flagstick you could have rushed over to move it before the ball hit it. [Rule 24-1b]

 

[mikejohnchapman]

For such a well known rule I am constantly amazed how many people lay the flag down relatively near the hole - especially behind it.

If, as the question implies, the player has putted off the green, I assume it must have been a fast putt so having the flag in line is just perverse.

 

[KenL]

Politely suggest that you pick up a free copy of the rules of golf.

I thought everyone knew this rule.

 

[Colin L]

Politely suggest that you pick up a free copy of the rules of golf.

I thought everyone knew this rule.

I'd never assume everyone knows any particular rule. The likelihood is that none of us knew many, if any rules when we were starting out in the game and had to ask.

 

[KenL]

I'd never assume everyone knows any particular rule. The likelihood is that none of us knew many, if any rules when we were starting out in the game and had to ask.

I suppose so. Some knowledge of the rules can only help your enjoyment of the game, that's why I suggested picking up a rule book.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In all my years I've never seen it happen so I have to admit that I'd pause in knowing what the ruling would be. I know now for 100% certain - so fully support ColinLs point about even the most basic of rules being worth re-iterating.

 

[Imurg]

Given how your ball can hit the flag stick from off the green with no penalty, it's easy to see how it could be construed that there would be no penalty if the flagstick was off the green....
Let's face it, Golf does have some wierd and wacky rules

 

[rulefan]

Given how your ball can hit the flag stick from off the green with no penalty, it's easy to see how it could be construed that there would be no penalty if the flagstick was off the green....
Let's face it, Golf does have some wierd and wacky rules

There's a bit more to it than that. As shots reaching the green can be played from a few hundred yards away, it would be unreasonable to penalise a shot hitting the flagstick as no one is near enough to prevent it.

But the penalty only applies if the flagstick has been attended, removed or held up. This implies that there is someone within easy reach to deal with the potential problem. If it is removed, it should be placed in a sensible position. Otherwise the attender can get it out of the way.

 

[Dasit]

If you are off the green, and the flag stick is left out the hole/blown out the hole, and you ball hits it, is that fine?

My course often has flags left out when windy

 

[Colin L]

If the flagstick was left on the ground by the group in front of you or blown out of the hole, there is no penalty for hitting it with your ball. Penalties only apply if the flagstick is removed with your authority or by someone in your group with your knowledge.

See Decision 17-3/3
http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-17,d17-3-3