17-1. Flagstick Attended, Removed or Held Up

Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the
player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to
indicate the position of the hole.
If the flagstick is not attended, removed or held up before the
player makes a stroke, it must not be attended, removed or
held up during the stroke or while the player’s ball is in motion
if doing so might influence the movement of the ball.
Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it
while a stroke is being made, he is deemed to be attending
the flagstick.
Note 2: If, prior to the stroke, the flagstick is attended,
removed or held up by anyone with the player’s knowledge
and he makes no objection, the player is deemed to have
authorised it.
Note 3: If anyone attends or holds up the flagstick while a
stroke is being made, he is deemed to be attending the flagstick
until the ball comes to rest.

17-2. Unauthorised Attendance
If an opponent or his caddie in match play or a fellowcompetitor
or his caddie in stroke play, without the player’s
authority or prior knowledge, attends, removes or holds up the
flagstick during the stroke or while the ball is in motion, and
the act might influence the movement of the ball, the opponent
or fellow-competitor incurs the applicable penalty.

17-3. Ball Striking Flagstick or Attendant
The player’s ball must not strike:
a. The flagstick when it is being attended, removed or
held up;
b. The person attending or holding up the flagstick; or
c. The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has
been made on the putting green.
Exception: When the flagstick is attended, removed or held up
without the player’s authority – see Rule 17-2.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 17-3:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes and the
ball must be played as it lies.

17-4. Ball Resting Against Flagstick
When the flagstick is in the hole and a player’s ball when not
holed rests against it, the player or another person authorised
by him may move or remove the flagstick and if the ball falls
into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his
last stroke; otherwise, the ball, if moved, must be placed on the
lip of the hole, without penalty.