Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Ask Linda 1848-Ball leans against incorrectly replaced flagstick

Linda,
A ball came to rest against a flagstick that was not correctly in the hole. The ball was above ground and no part of it was below the surface of the hole.
When the flagstick was moved (not removed) the ball fell into the hole.
Please let me know if the ball is holed or should it be replaced on the edge of the hole.
Lou from Bodicote (near London)

Dear Lou,

When a ball comes to rest against a flagstick, the ball is treated as holed only if some part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green. The position of the flagstick (whether straight or leaning) has no effect on this ruling.

If no part of the ball dips below the surface, the ball is not holed, and nothing the player subsequently does to the flagstick changes that ruling. If the ball moves when the flagstick is moved (or removed), there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole, regardless of whether the ball moves away from the hole or falls into it [Rule 13.2c]. 

Linda
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