Using the flag stick

[Golfingdad]

On 5/25/2016 at 4:30 AM, Martyn W said:

... I would consider the act of leaving the flagstick in place as a backstop so contrary to the spirit of the game I would have a hard time not penalizing the player ...

I'm obviously no rules expert, but I gave you a thumbs up because this was my first instinct as well.

Even seeing the possibility from subsequent posts that it may be perfectly legal to leave it as-is, I'd have a hard time allowing myself to do that.  It just seems so wrong.

[Lihu]

The rule that @saevel25 quoted for no penalty was for the second shot, so it seems reasonable that if there were no flag from 150 yards or something that no penalty is incurred. The "spirit of the game" is covered by that requirement.

Penalty for the OP if it was his 3rd or higher shot, no penalty for the second shot even if a chip away.

 

 

[Missouri Swede]

1 hour ago, Golfingdad said:

I'm obviously no rules expert, but I gave you a thumbs up because this was my first instinct as well.

Even seeing the possibility from subsequent posts that it may be perfectly legal to leave it as-is, I'd have a hard time allowing myself to do that.  It just seems so wrong.

If it were a small tree branch similarly positioned on the green, would that change your impression?