Play enough out on the course, and at some point it will happen to you.
You hit the perfect chip or pitch shot, a long putt or even have the good fortune (and skill, of course) of that dreamy tee shot on a par-3---with the ball ending up being in the hole but stuck against the flagstick.
So, does that count as the ball officially being holed out? Do I dare touch the flagstick?
What Exactly is the Rule When Your Ball is Resting Against the Flagstick in a Hole?
According to Rule 13.2c:
If a player’s ball comes to rest against the flagstick left in the hole:
- If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed, even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
- If no part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green: The ball is not holed and must be played as it lies.
- If the flagstick is removed and the ball moves (whether it falls into the hole or moves away from the hole), there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole (see Rule 14.2).
Remember: Penalty for playing a ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 13.2c: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a (In stroke play, the player is disqualified if they fail to hole out as required under Rule 3.3c)
