One of the most common questions on the golf course revolves around that stick in the middle of the green. The rules for playing with the flagstick changed significantly in 2019, clearing up a lot of confusion but also creating new strategic questions. This guide will walk you through exactly when you can, can't, or should remove the flagstick so you can play with total confidence.
Understanding the modern flagstick rule starts with knowing what it used to be. For over a century, the rules of golf were dead set against your ball making contact with the flagstick when you were putting from the green. It was seen as gaining an unfair advantage.
The Old Rule (Pre-2019): If you played a stroke from on the putting green and your ball hit the unattended flagstick in the hole, you received a two-stroke penalty (in stroke play) or lost the hole (in match play). This led to the universal routine of having someone "tend the pin" for you on anything but a short tap-in, carefully pulling it out as the ball approached the cup. It also created awkward moments when a long putt was rolling toward the hole and nobody was there to remove the pin in time.
The New Rule (2019 - Present): In a major effort to simplify the Rules of Golf and improve the pace of play, the R&A and USGA introduced a game-changing update. Under the current Rule 13.2a(2), there is no penalty if you make a stroke from anywhere on the course (including the putting green) and your ball hits the unattended flagstick in the hole. This single change effectively reversed decades of golfing tradition.
The goal was simple: speed things up and remove a common penalty that often felt unnecessary. The result is that you now have a strategic choice to make every time you're on the putting green.
This is the scenario where the rule change has the most impact. You're lining up a 20-foot putt for birdie. Do you ask your buddy to pull the pin, or do you putt with it in? The answer is... it's completely up to you. There is no right or wrong decision from a rules standpoint, but there are coaching and strategic points to consider.
As a coach, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all answer. My advice is to experiment during your practice rounds. Hit ten putts from 20 feet with the pin in, then hit ten with the pin out. See which method gives you more confidence and produces better results. You might find you prefer the pin in for long lag putts (to help with pace) and "out" for shorter, must-make putts (to ensure a clear hole). The most important thing is to be decisive. Once you've chosen, commit to it and hit your putt with confidence.
This is where some golfers still get confused, but the rule here has always been relatively simple and consistent. When your ball is located anywhere except the putting green - the fairway, the rough, a bunker, a penalty area - you have always been permitted to play with the flagstick in the hole without penalty.
The 2019 rule change didn't alter this at all. The only thing that changed was what happened if you made the shot. You just don't have to worry about pulling the stick.
In fact, when chipping or pitching from just off the green, leaving the pin in is often a smart strategic play for the same reasons it helps with putting:
You can still have the flagstick attended and removed if you'd like, but it isn't required. In most casual rounds, golfers simply choose to chip with the pin in to save time and hassle.
While less common since 2019, attending the flagstick is still a part of the game. It just means that you authorize another player to stand next to the hole, hold the flagstick, and remove it after you've played your stroke.
Today, attending the flagstick is mostly seen when a player simply can't stand the look of the pin being in but is too far away to remove it themselves. It's a courtesy, not a necessity.
There's one unique scenario where handling the flagstick isn't a choice. This occurs when your ball comes to rest directly against the pin in the hole.
You approach the green and see your ball is leaning against the stick, but not fully in the cup.
Under Rule 13.2c, here's how you proceed:
What happens next depends on where the ball goes. If the ball falls into the cup, it is holed, and you've completed the hole with that stroke. If the ball pops out and rolls away from the cup, you must place it on the lip of the hole and tap it in. Kidding! You must play it as it lies. You then have to putt your ball from its new position. So be careful when you pull the pin in this situation!
The 2019 rule change made the question of the flagstick's removal one of personal strategy rather than penalty avoidance. Whether you’re on or off the green, leaving the pin in is almost always your choice, allowing you to focus on pace, aim, and what feels most comfortable for your game.
Having complete clarity on the rules and best practices frees you up to play with more confidence. That’s why we designed Caddie AI to be a real-time golf expert you can consult anytime. If you're ever on the course wondering about a specific ruling, what club to hit from an awkward lie, or the best strategy for a hole, our on-demand coach provides instant, expert advice right on your phone so you can eliminate doubt and commit to your shot.
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