"Golf Myth Exposed - You May
Hold The Flagstick While You Are Putting!"
Over the past ten years I have
come across many myths and misunderstandings about the Rules
of Golf. Here are some common ones, which I hope will help
you sort out the fact from the fiction.
"You are not allowed to enter the
clubhouse during a round". Wrong - you may leave
the course at any time providing you do not unduly delay your
own play, that of your opponent, or any other competitor.
This is Decision 6-8a/2.7.
"You cannot hold the flagstick with
one hand and tap your ball into the hole with the other".
Wrong - you may hold the flagstick while you are putting.
But make sure that you remove the flagstick so that your ball
does not strike it and do not lean on it for assistance. Decision
17-1/5.
"You can only have the flagstick attended if your
ball lies on the putting green". Wrong - you may have
the flagstick attended when playing from anywhere on the course.
Rule 17-1. By the way, I am not suggesting that you ask your
fellow competitor to go ahead and attend the flagstick when
your ball is still 150 yards from the hole!
Talking of attending the flagstick, here
is one to watch; if you are chipping or putting from off
the green you should ensure that no-one is standing near enough
to the flagstick to touch it. Why? Note 1 to Rule 17-1 states
that if the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near
it while a stroke is being made; they are deemed to be attending
the flagstick.
So, if your ball then hits the flagstick
it is a two stroke penalty, even though you were playing from
off the green.
Not a lot of people know that!
Your Golfing Success,
Andy Brown
