Hi Linda,
We had an instance where a fellow competitor was close to
the flagstick, within touching distance, and another player was putting. Not
paying attention to the putter, the fellow competitor inadvertently let the
ball hit the flagstick after it was putted from the green. The putter assumed
the flagstick was attended, as her fellow competitor was standing right next to
the flagstick.
Who is assessed the penalty strokes in this instance? My
understanding was that the person standing closest to the flagstick is
responsible for attending, thus preventing the ball from hitting the flagstick.
Thanks for your response.
Lulu from Burbank, California
Dear Lulu,
The player whose ball hits the attended flagstick (i.e., the
player who hits the putt) incurs the penalty, which is two strokes in stroke
play, loss of hole in match play. In stroke play, the ball must be played as it
lies after hitting the flagstick.
Please read Rules 17-1 and 17-3.
Linda
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