# Another golf quesion about the cup **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** golf\ **Created:** [November 26, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791 "2024-11-26T07:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/1 "2024-11-26T07:00:45Z")
I saw this video clip at a bar so no sound or caption to explain anything. The golfer hits about a 5 foot putt straight into the cup (no flag) and the ball clearly hits bottom center and pops back out onto the green. What would the ruling be? I assume the officials were right there along with the photographer. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/2 "2024-11-26T07:44:24Z")
A ball is only considered holed when the ball is at rest, and the entirely of the ball is below the surface of the green. If the ball bounces out of the cup, you play it from where it lies. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/3 "2024-11-26T23:22:32Z")
In what situations (if any) must the flag be removed before the shot, and when must it remain in place? Obviously - if it’s a long distance to the hole (but maybe reachable in one shot) the golfer wants a clear view - i.e. flag in. Otherwise - isn’t a disadvantage to have the flag in, since the area of the top of the cup is smaller than without the flag? ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/4 "2024-11-27T00:11:06Z")
There are now (since 2019 rule changes) no circumstances where the flag must be in the hole or removed. The rule change removed the penalty for hitting the flagstick with the ball when on the green, so now players can pretty much do anything they like with the flag whether on or off the green. In, out or attended, your choice. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/5 "2024-11-27T01:53:21Z")
Was there a rule where the flag could not be removed after the ball is struck but before it reaches the hole? ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/6 "2024-11-27T05:08:56Z")
Nope. If you watch any pro tournament, for a long(ish) putt the player lines up with the flag in place, his caddy would stand beside the flag and then remove it while the ball is travelling. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/7 "2024-11-27T05:33:15Z")
I began watching golf again this year (specifically the DP tour) and was very surprised to see this, and then more surprised that it happened 5 years ago. Lots of rule changes, in fact, like no more “lateral hazards” (called something else) etc. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-golf-quesion-about-the-cup/1010791/8 "2024-11-27T12:25:26Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > There are now (since 2019 rule changes) no circumstances where the flag must be in the hole or removed. I dislike that - and other recent - rule change.