Is it a penalty to putt with the flag in the hole?

The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a(2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.” Players will still have the option to remove the flagstick or to have someone tend the pin and remove it after the ball is struck.
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Can you put with the flag in the hole?

More and more golfers are doing it. And now it's completely within the rules. As of the start of the 2019 calendar year, golfers of all levels can now putt with the flagstick left in the hole. Caddies can also take the flag out or have it attended - previously the only two options.
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Does the flag have to be removed when putting?

The United States Golf Association and the U.K.'s Royal and Ancient Golf Club changed the rule mainly to speed up play. Since most golfers don't use caddies, the need for individual golfers to remove the flag when they reach the green can increase their time on it. The new rule addresses that issue.
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Is there a penalty for hitting the flag in golf?

If you hit the flag it's 2 stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole if you are in match play. If you are off of the green there is no penalty if you hit the flag unless you ask someone to tend it and then they don't pull it out.
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What is the flag rule in golf?

Purpose of Rule: This Rule covers the player's choices for dealing with the flagstick. The player may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played), but must decide before making a stroke.
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SHOULD YOU PUTT WITH THE FLAG IN OR OUT?



How many balls can a PGA player carry?

Under the Rules of Golf, a golfer can carry as many golf balls as they want in their bag. Really, they can carry as many golf balls as they're willing to carry around themselves or their caddie is willing to lug around for them. Most PGA Tour golfers carry in the area of nine golf balls in their bag per round.
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Can you tap down the green around the hole?

To answer the first question: It's a violation of Rule 16-1a and comes with a two-shot penalty in stroke play (loss of hole in match play). The tournament committee could have also disqualified Garcia if they felt he had gained a significant advantage by tapping down the spike marks.
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Can you leave the pin in while putting?

Thanks to a rules change by the USGA, golfers will now have three options when putting in 2019: Remove the pin completely, have someone tend the pin, or leave the pin in and unattended. If your putt hits the pin in the third scenario, there's no penalty (formerly two strokes or loss of hole).
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Can you legally stand behind the ball to putt?

The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”
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Is a putt from the fringe considered a putt?

The fringe is not the putting surface. Putting stats are based on those putts you hit while on the putting surface. On a par 4 if your 2nd lands on fringe, you do not get GIR. Thus your 3rd is not a putt.
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Can you touch the green before putting?

There is no longer a penalty for merely touching the line of play on the putting green (the term “line of play” applies everywhere on the course including the putting green, and the term “line of putt” is no longer used).
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Can you switch balls in golf?

You can always use a new ball when starting a hole. You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand.
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Can you pull the flag for a chip?

If you have the ability to control the speed of your chip shots once it hits the green then you might as well pull the flagstick to allow the ball to use the maximum circumference of the hole.
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Why do golfers take off their glove to putt?

Less grip pressure or a lighter feeling in their hands – is exactly the reason that virtually all the golfers who take their golf gloves off before putting – will tell you that they are doing it for.
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Can you move sand on the putting green?

Can you remove sand, or loose soil, from the putting green? Yes. Rule 13.1c (1) says sand and loose soil on the green can be 'removed without penalty'. You can do that 'no matter whether the ball is on or off the putting green'.
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What is an illegal putt?

A putter neck/shaft must be straight from the sole of the putter head to 5 inches above the sole of the putter head. The neck of this putter is protruding in front of the face. As I mentioned above, no part of the putter can extend in front of the putter face more than . 84 inches. So, this club is considered illegal.
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Can I stand behind my partner when he putts?

When it comes to reading a putt's break, members of a four-ball team may stand nearly anywhere on the green to watch a partner putt, with one exception: They're not allowed to stand on or close to an extension of the player's line of putt behind the ball (Rule 14-2b).
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Can you kneel on a putting green?

Kneeling and laying on a putting green is allowed during golf games, provided all other golf rules are kept. Outside of a golfing game, it is also allowed.
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What happens if a golf ball hits another into the hole?

What happens when a golf ball hits another ball into the hole? If the ball that is in play hits a ball that is at rest and then proceeds to roll into the hole, then it counts as a holed ball. However, if the ball at rest is holed, it must be replaced, and positioned back to its original position.
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Does a golf ball have to hit the bottom of the cup?

If a player's ball goes in the hole -- either partially or entirely -- with the flagstick in, they must make sure the ball get to the bottom of the cup and comes to a rest without touching the ball.
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What if my golf ball hits another?

No Penalty to Any Player

Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play: If the player's ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes).
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Does a golfer have to take his own ball out of the hole?

The ball in the hole can be removed by anyone, not just Larry, but there is no penalty for letting this sleeping dog lie. Tom gets no do-over — he counts his stroke and continues to play on. Presumably, next time he'll fish out the offending orb or, better yet, demand that Lazy Larry do so. Got a rules question?
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Can you rub your ball on the green to clean it?

May a player clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green? A. Yes, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green. It is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question as to the player’s intentions.
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Can you walk in your putting line?

Current Rule: Under Rule 16-1a, when a player's ball is on the putting green: ➢ The player is generally prohibited from touching his or her line of putt. ➢ But there are seven exceptions (such as when removing loose impediments or movable obstructions, when lifting or replacing a ball, when repairing ball marks, etc.).
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Do pro golfers use a new ball on each hole?

Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.
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