Hi Linda,
I recently played in a Stableford competition and we had a
rulings debate, which I hope you could help me with. I was in the rough by the
edge of the green whilst all my playing partners were on the green with their
balls marked. I chipped to within a cm of the hole and waited for the ball to
drop. It didn't, so I proceeded to get my putter out and walk to tap in my
ball. All my playing partners were at the other end of the green so I pulled
the flag from the cup and held it in my left hand whilst I tapped my putt in
using my right hand. I was then told by my playing partner that I would have no
return on that hole as I was using the flagstick to aid my stroke. Can you tell
me if this was the correct ruling or not, as I have never heard this before but
didn't count the hole anyway just in case he was correct?
Regards,
Lou from Nottinghamshire, UK
Dear Lou,
The ruling was incorrect, Lou. A player is permitted to hold
the flagstick in one hand while putting with the other hand, provided the
flagstick is completely out of the hole and the ball does not hit the flagstick
[Decision 17-1/5].
However, if you rested the flagstick on the green and used it to steady yourself, you would be disqualified under Rule 14-3 for using the flagstick in an unusual manner to assist you in making your stroke.
However, if you rested the flagstick on the green and used it to steady yourself, you would be disqualified under Rule 14-3 for using the flagstick in an unusual manner to assist you in making your stroke.
Linda
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