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Flagstick Ruling..........

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#1 Posted : Monday, September 13, 2010 5:20:22 PM

Ian Mullins

Handicap: 20

Essex

Pro Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 378

So, there I was on the 2nd green in two......I pulled out the pin......overplayed my first put by miles........it went eight foot past the cup......and my ball hit the pin (lying on the ground)........

Now normally it wouldn't be an issue but my playing partner, an old friend and fierce competitor (probably because he never beats me!) has decided I should be penalised.......

If I take the punishment for not putting the flag further away from the cup and hitting it - rules state there should be a two shot penalty.........but whilst debating the issue over a beer with the rule book......he believes I should also incur a SECOND two shot penalty, because I replaced the ball where I thought it would have finished had it not hit the flag.......I'm claiming I've already taken a penalty for hitting the flag and I'm NOT taking another penalty for placing the ball even further away from where it came to rest.........

I hit the flag for three + two shot penalty + one putt to hole out makes six, he wants me to mark the card a eight!!!

Who is right?

Ian M

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#2 Posted : Tuesday, September 14, 2010 9:38:12 AM

TSG

Handicap: 36

Kent

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955

Your ball hit the flagstick on your putt. Ooops...

If it were Matchplay you lose the hole.

In Stroke Play you get a 2 stroke penalty (Rule 17-3 - Ball Striking Flagstick or Attendant). Incidentally the same penalty rule applies if you hit your own or your opponents equipment .

However, having taken your penalty the ball should then have been played from where it lies but you moved your ball to where you thought it would have finished if it hadn't hit the flagstick. Ooops.... So your friend is correct: You moved the ball and therefore played the ball from the wrong position (Rule 20-7 - Playing from Wrong Place) - 2 Stroke Penalty.

Hit the flag for three, so + 2 shot penalty, moved the ball so + 2 shot penalty, one putt to hole out = 8

PS. for those rainy days (or for those with too much time on their hands) the R&A have updated their website with an excellent interactive 'Rules' guide (with search capability). Check it out here: http://www.randa.org/en/Rules%20and%20Amateur%20Status/Rules%20of%20Golf.aspx#/rules/

#3 Posted : Tuesday, September 14, 2010 4:33:26 PM

Ian Mullins

Handicap: 20

Essex

Pro Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 378

Really! Hmmmmm, somehow I knew that was going to be the view. OK, let that be a lesson to me and everyone else.......if the flag is out - never leave it in your own putt line!!