Since the 2019 rules change you can putt with the flagstick in the hole with no penalty, under Rule 13.2 — leave it, remove it, or have it tended.
Can you leave the flagstick in when putting?
Yes. Since the 2019 rules change, you can putt with the flagstick in the hole with no penalty, under Rule 13.2. Before 2019, hitting the flagstick with a putt cost you two penalty strokes in most formats. That's gone.
When to leave it in vs. take it out
| Choice | Consider it when… |
|---|---|
| Leave the flag in | The putt is fast and you want the ball to die into a backstop; or wind could blow it; or you're not confident the pin will be tended properly. |
| Take it out / tend it | The flag is leaning or could deflect a putt; or you want a cleaner read; or a firm putt could bounce off the flag out of the cup. |
Still possible to get penalized
You can't use the flag to prop the ball or gain a deliberate advantage. If your ball rests against the flag above the rim, it's not holed until it drops.
Quick answers
Can you leave the flagstick in when putting? Yes. Since 2019 under Rule 13.2, you can putt with the flagstick in with no penalty.
Is it a penalty to hit the flagstick with your putt? No. The two-stroke penalty was removed in 2019.
Does leaving the flag in help make putts? Often yes on fast putts — the flag can act as a backstop.
When is a ball considered holed if it rests against the flag? If any part of the ball is below the surface of the cup while leaning against the flag, it's holed.