Flag at the Golf Course

What is the flag in golf?

The flag is a removable rod, usually topped with a flag, that the committee places in the hole to show players where it is located. The Rules require that it be circular in cross-section and centered in the hole. The hole itself is 108 mm in diameter and at least 101.6 mm deep.

The flag is not placed in the same spot all year round: the maintenance crew regularly moves the hole to distribute wear on the green and vary the difficulty.

Do the colors of the flag have any meaning?

There are no rules regarding color. Some clubs use a color code to indicate whether the hole is located at the front, middle, or back of the green, but there is no universal convention: check with the front desk or your scorecard before teeing off.

What do the Rules say about the flag?

Rule 13.2 gives the player three options to choose from before to play his shot, no matter where he is on the course:

• Leave the flag in the hole: If the ball touches him, there is no penalty, and play continues from where the ball lies.
• Have it removed before playing.
• Keep it in place by a playing partner or a caddie, who picks it up while the ball is rolling.

If the ball accidentally strikes a flag that is being held or has been removed, or the person holding it, there is no penalty either. However, the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of the hole in match play) applies when a player intentionally moves the flag off-center to gain an advantage, or when the player deliberately uses the flag to deflect or stop a ball.

What Changed in 2019

Before 2019, a ball played from the green that touched the flag left in the hole resulted in a two-stroke penalty; therefore, the flag was always removed before using the putter. That rule no longer exists. Old guidelines such as “you must remove the flagstick before using a putter” are now incorrect.

The ball is against the flag: did it go in?

If part of the ball is in the hole, below the surface of the green, the ball is considered to be entrance, even if it hasn't gone all the way in. If no part of the ball is below the surface, the ball has not entered the hole. If the flag is then removed and the ball moves—whether it falls into the hole or rolls away from it—it is replaced on the edge of the hole, without penalty, and play continues.

Should you putt with the flag in the hole?

It's a personal choice. Leaving the flag in the hole saves time and provides a visual reference on long putts. Many players remove it on short putts, either out of habit or to see the hole more clearly. In any case, agree with your playing partners so as not to slow down the game.

How should you take the flag into account when playing?

• Flag near the edge or behind a bunker: Aim for the center of the green instead; the reward rarely justifies the risk.
• Distance to the flag: Measure it with a rangefinder or GPS rather than estimating by eye, especially when the hole is at the back or front of the green.
• The Pennant shows the wind at higher elevations, which is helpful when choosing a club.

Regarding the flag: Place the flag flat, out of the way of other players' shots, without touching the green, and insert it straight into the hole as you play.