Rules Modification • New 2019 Flagstick Issues

I'm not sure the roll-out for the new Rules of Golf is going to go smoothly for all topics.  I have some concerns about changes to the treatment of the flagstick.  Consider the following three questions:

1) Player A has asked for the flagstick to be tended for his putt from 40'.  After he makes his stroke he instructs the attendee to "leave it in the hole", which the attendee does.  What is the result if the ball then strikes the flagstick in the hole?  Is there any consequence if it does not strike the flagstick?  How about if the attendee is another player?

2) Player A has asked for the flagstick to be removed from the hole for his putt from 40'.  After the ball is on the way, he asks for the flagstick to be returned to the hole and a player who is standing by holding the flagstick complies.  Same three questions from 1 above.

3) Player A's ball has come to rest against the flagstick that is not centered in the hole.  He approaches the hole, centers the flagstick and the ball falls into the hole.  Has the player breached R13.2c by not first checking whether any part of the ball was below the level of the putting green?  Is his ball holed?

Statistics: Posted by doc568 — Today, 2:24 pm

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