Putt hits Flag - Penalty?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Player on green asks for flag to be attended for his putt. FC (not PP) attends flag. Player putts but at precise moment he putts his FC is distracted and doesn't get flag out and putt hits the flagstick . What's the ruling? I can easily imagine a scenario where the FC 'error' could be 'deliberate' and if player penalised could have significant consequences in context of the comp for player, FC or other(s).

 

[rulefan]

See Decision 17-3/2

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-17,d17-3-2

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

See Decision 17-3/2

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-17,d17-3-2

Thankyou - this from the ruling covers scenario precisely

If B's failure to remove the flagstick was not deliberate (e.g., the flagstick stuck in the hole-liner or B was distracted and did not see A putt), since B was acting on A's behalf, A incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play under Rule 17-3. A must play the ball as it lies. B incurs no penalty.

Ruling that was provided afterwards was in accordance with this. Of course we have to assume 'not deliberate' which would be difficult for Player A to stomach if it happened on the 18th green and resulted in player B winning the match or the strokeplay comp at A's expense.

 

[williamalex1]

Player on green asks for flag to be attended for his putt. FC (not PP) attends flag. Player putts but at precise moment he putts his FC is distracted and doesn't get flag out and putt hits the flagstick . What's the ruling? I can easily imagine a scenario where the FC 'error' could be 'deliberate' and if player penalised could have significant consequences in context of the comp for player, FC or other(s).

The penalty for the FC , IMO, he should have the flag stuck where the sun don't shine. :smirk:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The penalty for the FC , IMO, he should have the flag stuck where the sun don't shine. :smirk:

Yeh Billy - it would be a right 'bummer'

 

[Colin L]

Putt hits flag? Was that his 54 degree putter then?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Putt hits flag? Was that his 54 degree putter then?

Indeed I do get unsure when referring to flag, flagstick, pin etc. I do tend to asks for the flag to be attended when I mean the flagstick/pin or whatever it's called.

 

[rulefan]

Indeed I do get unsure when referring to flag, flagstick, pin etc. I do tend to asks for the flag to be attended when I mean the flagstick/pin or whatever it's called.

The defined term is 'Flagstick'

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The defined term is 'Flagstick'

Thankyou - will go with that in future.