Backspin Oct_2018 | Page 8

motion to hit the flagstick. The player must decide this before making the stroke, by either: • Leaving the flagstick where it is in the hole or moving it so that it is centered in the hole and leaving it there, or • Having a removed flagstick put back in the hole. In either case: • The player must not try to gain an advantage by deliberately moving the flagstick to a position other than centered in the hole. • If the player does so and the ball in motion then hits the flagstick, he or she gets the general penalty. (2) No Penalty If Ball Hits Flagstick Left in Hole. If the player makes a stroke with the flagstick left in the hole and the ball in motion then hits the flagstick: • There is no penalty (except as provided in (1)), and • The ball must be played as it lies. Now Open! 8