Putting

[blaina]

Bob and Gerry are playing a round of golf in a tournament. Both have landed safely on the green. Gerry is farthest away and the first to putt. Bob, being nearer the hole, removes the flag and lays it on the green 15 feet away from the hole and to the left. Gerry gets really aggressive with his putt and runs the ball past the hole where it strikes the flag and comes to rest. What are the consequences according to the rules of golf? Gerry says that Bob should incur a 2 stroke penalty because he left the flag on the green. Bob counters that it is Gerry's responsibility to have any obstructions removed prior to his putt if he wishes, and that he should incur a 2 stroke penalty. Who is right?

[Kilroy]

Gerry is penalized 2 strokes for hitting the flagstick.

[el tigre]

Gerry is penalized 2 strokes for hitting the flagstick.

...as per Rule 17-3. Since the flagstick was removed with Gerry's knowledge and he raised no objections (after all, he would have been penalized had the ball struck the flagstick in the hole), he is deemed to have authorized its removal under Rule 17-1.

If Gerry didn't like where Bob put the flagstick, he should have said or done something prior to playing his stroke.

[broken27]

Gerry's an idiot, should have played it safe... What the hell was he thinking???

Dan

[Kilroy]

Gerry is a 20 (ish) hcp who lacks touch / finesse. At least he did not leave it short!