16/1 Mud on Ball Touches Putting Green But Ball Itself Does Not Touch Green
Q. A player’s ball lies off the putting green, overhanging but not touching the green. A clump of mud adhering to the ball touches the green. Is the ball considered to be on the green?
A. No. However, if a ball lies on the green but does not actually touch the green because it is perched on mud, the ball is considered to be on the green.
Status of Half of Double Green Serving Hole Not Being Played — See 25-3/1.
16/2 Ball Embedded in Side of Hole; All of Ball Below Lip of Hole
Q. A player’s ball embeds in the side of a hole. All of the ball is below the level of the lip of the hole. What is the ruling?
A. The ball should be considered holed even though all of the ball is not within the circumference of the hole as required by the Definition of “Holed.”
16/3 Ball Embedded in Side of Hole; All of Ball Not Below Lip of Hole
Q. A player’s ball embeds in the side of a hole. Part of the ball is above the level of the lip of the hole. What is the ruling?
A. The ball is not holed — see Definition of “Holed.” The player may play the ball as it lies or lift the ball under Rule 16-1b, repair the damage under Rule 16-1c and place the ball on the lip of the hole.
16/4 Hole-Liner Not Sunk Deep Enough
Q. Players discover that a hole-liner is not sunk at least one inch below the putting green surface as prescribed in the Definition of “Hole.” What should they do?
A. The players should call the matter to the attention of a Committee member if one is present. If feasible, the Committee member should attempt to have the fault corrected.
However, the players must not discontinue play in the meantime, because correction might not be possible and, if possible, might take considerable time.
16/5 Ball Strikes Edge of Hole-Liner and Bounces Out of Hole
Q. A player’s ball struck the rim of a hole-liner, which had not been sunk deep enough, and bounced out of the hole. Should the ball be considered holed in such circumstances?
A. No. Under the Definition of “Holed,” the ball must be at rest within the circumference of the hole.
16/5.5 Player Holes Short Putt and Allegedly Removes Ball from Hole Before It Is at Rest
Q. A player strikes a short putt into the hole and removes the ball from the hole. His opponent or a fellow-competitor claims he heard the ball bouncing in the bottom of the hole-liner at the time the player was removing the ball from the hole, and therefore the ball cannot be considered holed in view of the Definition of “Holed” which states: “A ball is holed when it is at rest within the circumference of the hole....” What is the ruling?
A. The ball is holed. The words “at rest” are in the Definition of “Holed” to make it clear that if a ball falls below the lip and thereafter bounces out, it is not holed.
[16/6 Reserved]
16/7 Two Holes on Each Green of Nine-Hole Course
Q. 1. Is it permissible for a Committee to make two holes on each green of a nine-hole course, one (A) for use in play of the first nine holes and the other (B) for use in play of the second nine?
Q. 2. If so, what is the status of hole B on each green when hole A is in use, and vice versa?
A. 1. Yes.
A. 2. The hole not in use on each green is a hole made by a greenkeeper — see Definition of “Ground Under Repair” — and Rule
25-1 is applicable.
Other Decisions Relating to Rule 16:
Player Putts with One Hand and Catches Ball in Hole with Other Hand — See 1-2/5.
Marking Position of Ball on Putting Green — See Decisions under Rule 20-1.
16-1a/1 Brushing Aside or Mopping Up Casual Water on Line of Putt
Q. May a player whose ball lies on a putting green brush aside casual water on his line of putt, or mop it up with a towel?
A. No. Such action would be a breach of Rule 16-1a (Touching Line of Putt).
Mopping Up Casual Water on Line of Play — See 13-2/34.
[16-1a/2 Reserved]
16-1a/3 Removing Dew or Frost from Line of Putt
Q. May a player brush dew or frost from his line of putt?
A. No. Rule 16-1a prohibits touching the line of putt except in removal of loose impediments, repair of ball marks, etc. Dew or frost is not a loose impediment — see Definition of “Loose Impediments.” Accordingly, such action would be a breach of Rule 16-1a.
Removal of Dew or Frost Other Than from Line of Putt — See 13-2/35.
16-1a/4 Removing Casual Water from Hole
Q. A player, whose ball lies on the putting green, removes casual water from the hole without touching the inside of the hole. Is this permissible?
A. As the player has not touched the line of putt, he is not in breach of Rule 16-1a. However, the player is in breach of Rule 13-2 which prohibits improving the line of play by removing water. The player incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
16-1a/5 Touching Inside of Hole
Q. Prior to putting, a player touched the inside of the hole. Should he be considered to have touched his line of putt in breach of Rule 16-1a?
A. Yes, unless the hole was materially damaged and the player was entitled to repair it — see Decision 16-1a/6. The line of putt includes the hole except in the unusual case when a player makes a stroke from the putting green away from the hole.
Player Repairs Hole After Holing Out But Before Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Partner Holes Out — See 1-2/3.5.
16-1a/6 Damaged Hole; Procedure for Player
Q. Prior to putting, a player discovers that the hole has been damaged. What is the proper procedure?
A. If the damage is not clearly identifiable as a ball mark, then:
(a) If the damage is such that the proper dimensions of the hole have not been changed materially, the player should continue play without repairing the hole. If he touches the hole in such circumstances, a breach of Rule 16-1a occurs.
(b) If the proper dimensions of the hole have been changed materially, the player should request the Committee to have the hole repaired. If a Committee member is not readily available, the player may repair the damage, without penalty.
If a player repairs a materially damaged hole when a Committee member is readily available, he incurs a penalty for a breach of
Rule 16-1a.
Relocating Hole After Ball Already Positioned Nearby on Putting Green — See 33-2b/2.
16-1a/7 Player Repairs Depression on Line of Putt Created When Partially Embedded Acorn Removed
Q. A player removed with his hand an embedded acorn on his line of putt. The acorn was not solidly embedded, so it was a loose impediment. The player then repaired the depression in which the acorn lay. Was the repair of the depression a breach of Rule 16-1a?
A. Yes.
16-1a/8 Loose Impediments Removed from Line of Putt with Cap or Towel
Q. A player touches his line of putt in brushing aside loose impediments with his cap or with a towel. Is this permissible?
A. Yes, provided he did not press anything down.
Worm Partially Underground on Line of Putt — See 23/8.
16-1a/9 Brushing Loose Impediments Off Line of Putt with Palm of Hand
Q. A player, with about one dozen strokes with the whole palm of his hand, attempted to remove small leaves, which are difficult to remove by any method, from his line of putt. Is this permissible under Rule 16-1a?
A. The action described exceeded that authorized by Rule 16-1a and was a breach of the Rule.
16-1a/10 Loose Impediments Brushed Along Line of Putt Rather Than to Side
Q. In removing loose impediments from his line of putt by brushing with a putter, a player brushed along the line for about one foot before brushing the impediments to the side. Did the player infringe Rule 16-1?
A. Under Rule 16-1a, a player is allowed to brush aside loose impediments on his line of putt. The casual movement of the putter along the line of putt would not be a breach of the Rules unless in the process the player did something to the putting green which might influence the movement of his ball when played (Rule 1-2).
16-1a/11 Raised Tuft of Grass on Line of Putt Brushed to Determine Whether It Is Loose
Q. A player cannot determine whether a raised tuft of grass on his line of putt is loose or is attached to its roots. The player brushes the raised tuft lightly with his hand to make a determination and discovers that the tuft is attached. What is the ruling?
A. A player is entitled to touch and move a natural object on his line of putt for the specific purpose of determining whether the object is loose, provided that if the object is found not to be loose, (1) it has not become detached and (2) it is returned to its original position before the next stroke if failure to do so would result in a breach of Rule 13-2. The touching of the line of putt in these circumstances is not a breach of Rule 16-1a.
Except as otherwise permitted in the Rules (e.g., in repairing a ball mark), if a player touches or moves a natural object on his line of putt other than to determine whether it is loose and it is found to be attached, the player cannot avoid a breach of Rule 16-1a by returning the object to its original position.
16-1a/12 Player Walks on Line of Putt
Q. A player walked on his line of putt. Did he incur a penalty for a breach of Rule 16-1a?
A. Yes, if he did so intentionally. No, if he did so accidentally and the act did not improve the line.
16-1a/13 Line of Putt Damaged Accidentally by Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Their Caddies
Q. An opponent, fellow-competitor or one of their caddies accidentally steps on and damages the player’s line of putt. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty. Rule 1-2 is not applicable.
In equity (Rule 1-4), the player may have the line of putt restored to its original condition.
The player is entitled to the lie and line of putt he had when his ball came to rest. The line of putt may be restored by anyone.
If it is not possible to restore the line of putt, the player would be justified in requesting the Committee to grant relief. If the damage is severe enough, the Committee may declare the area to be ground under repair, in which case the competitor may take relief under Rule 25-1b(iii).
Line of Putt Altered Purposely by Opponent or Fellow-Competitor by Stepping on It — See 1-2/1.
[16-1a/14 Reserved]
16-1a/15 Mushroom Growing on Line of Putt
Q. A mushroom is growing on a player’s line of putt. Is the player entitled to relief?
A. The player would be justified in discontinuing play and requesting the Committee to remove the mushroom. The Committee should comply.
If such an abnormal condition is a recurring problem on a course, the Committee should make a Local Rule to the effect that mushrooms on the putting green are to be treated as ground under repair.
16-1a/16 Spike Mark on Line of Putt Repaired During Repair of Ball Mark
Q. A player stepped on a ball mark in the act of repairing it and incidentally pressed down a spike mark on his line of putt. Did the player incur a penalty under Rule 16-1a?
A. Yes, unless the spike mark was so close to the ball mark that it was impractical to repair the ball mark without affecting the spike mark.
16-1a/16.5 Spike Mark on Line of Putt Pressed Down When Player Repairs Old Hole Plug
Q. An old hole plug is raised on the player’s line of putt. The player steps on the hole plug to make it level with the surface of the putting green. In so doing he presses down a spike mark within the hole plug. Was the player in breach of Rule 16-1a when he pressed down the spike mark?
A. No. Rule 16-1a permits touching the line of putt “in repairing old hole plugs.”
If the spike mark had been near but not within the old hole plug, the ruling would be different. In these circumstances, the player would have been able to step on the hole plug without affecting the spike mark.
16-1a/17 Ball Lifted on Putting Green Placed Ahead of Ball-Marker and Then Moved Back to Original Position
Q. When replacing his ball on the putting green, a player has a habit of placing the ball ahead of his ball-marker and then rolling or sliding the ball to its original position. Is such a procedure permissible?
A. Such a procedure is not recommended but is not a breach of Rule 16-1a which permits touching the line of putt in lifting (or replacing) the ball. However, if in the process the player does something to the putting green which might influence the movement of the ball when played, e.g., presses down a raised tuft of grass, he is in breach of Rule 1-2.
Other Decisions Relating to Rule 16-1a:
Shielding Line of Putt from Wind — See 1-2/2.
Player and Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Agree to Repair Spike Marks on One Another’s Line of Putt — See 1-3/3.
Caddie Touches Putting Green to Indicate Line of Play Before Player Chips from Off Green — See 8-2b/3.
Competitor Sanctions Repair of Spike Damage on His Line of Putt by Fellow-Competitor — See 13-2/36.
Placing Ball-Marker on Line of Putt — See 20-1/19.
Player Touches Putting Green in Pointing Out Line for Putting for Partner and Incidentally Touches Own Line of Putt — See 30/2.5.
Player Putting First When Partner’s Ball Farther from Hole Stands on Partner’s or Opponent’s Line of Putt — See 30-3b/1.
16-1b/1 Ball on Putting Green Lifted Because Player Feared Ball Might Move
Q. A player lifted his ball on the putting green under Rule 16-1b, cleaned it and replaced it. As the player approached the ball to play his next stroke, he feared the ball might move. So he lifted the ball again, replaced it and played. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty, provided the player marked the position of his ball both times. Rule 16-1b permits the lifting of a ball on the putting green for any reason.
16-1b/2 Ball Lifted from Putting Green; Ball Replaced While Another Ball in Motion But Then Lifted Because Moving Ball
Might Strike It
Q. A’s ball comes to rest on the putting green 20 feet from the hole. He marks the position of and lifts his ball so that B, whose ball is also on the putting green, but farther from the hole, can play first. While B’s ball is in motion, A replaces his ball. He then realizes that B’s ball might strike his ball. A re-marks the position of and lifts his ball to ensure the balls will not collide. What is the ruling?
A. There is no penalty. The replacing and subsequent lifting of A’s ball is considered to be an extension of his initial authority to lift the ball under Rule 16-1b. Rule 22 does not apply in this case because the ball was initially lifted under Rule 16-1b.
16-1b/3 Ball Lifted from Putting Green; Ball Replaced While Another Ball in Motion Subsequently Deflects Ball
Q. A’s ball comes to rest on the putting green 20 feet from the hole. He marks the position of and lifts his ball so that B, whose ball is also on the putting green, but farther from the hole, can play first. While B’s ball is in motion, A replaces his ball. B’s ball strikes A’s ball. What is the ruling?
A. If A’s action was unintentional, i.e., not for the purpose of deflecting B’s ball, Rule 19-5a applies. There is no penalty to either player since A had lifted his ball and it was not lying on the putting green immediately prior to B’s stroke. A must replace his ball, and B must play his ball as it lies.
If A’s actions were for the purpose of deflecting B’s ball, A is in breach of Rule 1-2 (Exerting Influence on Ball). In equity (Rule 1-4), B must replay his stroke, without penalty — see Note under Rule 19-1.
Rotating Ball on Putting Green Without Marking Position — See 18-2a/33.
Ball Replaced on Putting Green But Ball-Marker Not Removed; Ball Then Moves — See 20-4/1.
Ball Lifted by Player from Putting Green Replaced by Caddie Behind Ball-Marker — See 20-4/2.
Ball Replaced at Wrong Place on Putting Green and Holed — See 20-7c/1.
16-1c/1 Repair of Ball Mark a Second Time
Q. A ball mark has been repaired by a player. The ball mark is on the line of putt of a following player. May the following player further repair the ball mark?
A. Yes, provided it is still clearly identifiable as a ball mark.
16-1c/1.5 Ball Mark Partially On and Partially Off Putting Green Is on Line of Play
Q. If a player’s ball lies just off the putting green and there is a ball mark on his line of play, he is entitled to repair the ball mark if it is on the green (Rule 16-1c), but not if it is off the green (Rule 13-2). What is the ruling if a ball mark on the line of play is partially on and partially off the green?
A. Since it is impracticable to allow the repair of only that part of the ball mark which is on the putting green, the player may repair the entire ball mark.
16-1c/2 Ball Mark in Position to Assist Opponent
Q. A and B are playing a match. At a par-3 hole, both are on the green with their tee shots. A’s ball comes to rest four feet from the hole. B’s ball is fifteen feet from the hole. Upon reaching the green, A prepares to repair his ball mark. B tells A not to do so until he (B) has putted because A’s ball mark is so situated that B’s ball might be deflected into the hole by it. A objects, stating that he wishes to repair his ball mark immediately. May A do so?
A. No. If A were to repair the ball mark, he would lose the hole under Rule 1-2. A has no right to repair a ball mark affecting B’s play if B requests A not to repair it, unless the ball mark also physically affects A’s play and it is A’s turn to play.
16-1c/3 Old Hole Plug Sunk or Raised on Line of Putt
Q. A player’s ball lies on the green. An old hole plug is sunk or raised on the player’s line of putt. What relief is available to the player?
A. The player may attempt to raise or lower the plug to make it level with the surface of the putting green — Rule 16-1c. If this is impossible, he may discontinue play and request the Committee to raise or lower the plug. If the Committee cannot level the plug without unduly delaying play, the Committee should declare the plug to be ground under repair, in which case the player would be entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b(iii).
Whether Sunken Hole Plug Is “Hole Made by Greenkeeper” — See 25/17.
Local Rule Permitting Repair of Turf Plugs on the Putting Green That are Not 41⁄4 Inches in Diameter — See 33-8/30.
16-1c/4 Repair of Spike Mark Damage Around Hole
Q. A player’s ball lies on or near the putting green. Before playing his next stroke, he taps down spike marks in the vicinity of the hole. Is this permissible?
A. No. Such action would be a breach of Rule 16-1c since repair of spike marks in the vicinity of the hole might assist the player in his subsequent play of the hole.
16-1d/1 Player Concedes Opponent’s Next Stroke and Rolls or Knocks Ball to Opponent
Q. A player concedes his opponent’s next stroke and either picks up the opponent’s ball and rolls it to the opponent or knocks it back to him with a club. The player did so only for the purpose of returning the opponent’s ball to him, not to test the surface of the putting green. Was the player in breach of Rule 16-1d (Testing Surface)?
A. No. Such casual action is not a breach of Rule 16-1d.
16-1d/2 Player Concedes Opponent’s Next Stroke and Knocks His Ball Away Along Own Line of Putt
Q. A player concedes his opponent’s next stroke and knocks his ball away on the same line on which he (the player) must subsequently putt. Is this a breach of Rule 16-1d?
A. It is a question of fact whether or not the player’s action was for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green. The manner and apparent purpose of the action would be the determining factors in each individual case.
16-1d/3 Player Returns Ball to Spot from Which It Was Lifted by Rolling It with Putter
Q. A player marks the position of his ball on the putting green, lifts the ball and sets it aside. When it is his turn to putt, he rolls the ball with his putter back to the spot from which it was lifted. Was the player in breach of Rule 16-1d (Testing Surface)?
A. No, provided the action of rolling the ball was not for the purpose of testing the surface of the green. This method of replacing a ball is not recommended, but it is not a breach of the Rules.
16-1d/4 Testing for Wetness of Surface of Putting Green Behind Ball
Q. A player placed the palm of his hand on the putting green behind his ball to determine if the green was wet. He did not roughen or scrape the surface. Was the player in breach of Rule 16-1d (Testing Surface)?
A. No. Rule 16-1d only prohibits rolling a ball or roughening or scraping the putting surface for testing purposes. Since the line of putt was not touched, Rule 16-1a also was not infringed.
16-1d/5 Rubbing Ball on Putting Green for Cleaning Purposes
Q. May a player clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green?
A. Yes, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green. It is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways to eliminate any question as to the player’s intentions.
16-1d/6 Caddie Roughens Surface of Putting Green But Player Does Not Benefit
Q. A player’s caddie tests the surface of the putting green by roughening the grass. The player tells him immediately that he is not allowed to do that under the Rules. The player receives no information from the caddie about the condition of the green. Is the player penalized under Rule 16-1d?
A. Yes. The reference to the player in Rule 16-1d includes his caddie. Thus, the Rule prohibits the caddie, as well as the player, from testing the surface of the putting green. Under Rule 6-1, the player incurs the applicable penalty for a breach of a Rule by his caddie.
16-1e/1 Meaning of “Line of Putt” in Context of “Standing Astride or On Line of Putt”
Q. With reference to the sketch above, the broken line is a direct line from the ball to the hole and the solid line is the line on which the player intends his ball to travel. Which line is “the line of putt” for purposes of application of Rule 16-1e (Standing Astride or on Line of Putt)? If the broken line is “the line of putt,” the player will be in breach of Rule 16-1e. If the solid line is the “line of putt,” he will not be in breach of the Rule.
A. The solid line is “the line of putt.”
16-1e/2 Player Plays from Stance Astride Extension of Line of Putt Behind Ball
Q. A player holes a short putt from a stance astride an extension of his line of putt behind the ball. The act was inadvertent or to avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or prospective line of putt. Is the player subject to penalty under Rule 16-1e?
A. No. The purpose of Rule 16-1e is to prevent a “croquet” style of putting. In this case, the player did not use the stance for that purpose and the Exception to Rule 16-1e applies. (Revised)
16-2/0.5 Ball Overhanging Hole Is Lifted, Cleaned and Replaced; Ball Then Falls into Hole
Q. After an approach shot, a player’s ball is overhanging the hole. The player walks up to the hole without unreasonable delay and notices that there is mud on the ball. The player marks the position of the ball and lifts it. He then cleans the ball and replaces it. The ball remains on the lip of the hole for about five seconds and then, as the player is preparing to tap it into the hole, the ball falls into the hole. What is the ruling?
A. Under Rule 16-2 , if a ball falls into the hole after it is deemed to be at rest, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke and he shall add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole. In this case, when the player marked the position of the ball it must have been at rest. The ball must be considered to have been at rest when it was replaced; otherwise, it would have to be replaced again (Rule 20-3d).
Accordingly, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke and must add a penalty stroke to his score for the hole.
16-2/1 Ball Overhanging Hole Falls into Hole After Player Waits 40 Seconds
Q. A player’s ball overhangs the edge of the hole. The player walks up to the hole. He then waits about 40 seconds, after which the ball falls into the hole. Is the player subject to penalty?
A. Yes. The player incurs a penalty of one stroke — Rule 16-2.
16-2/2 Ball Overhanging Hole Knocked Away by Opponent Before Player Determines Status
Q. In a match between A and B, A putts and his ball apparently comes to rest, but is overhanging the hole. Within five seconds, B concedes A’s next stroke and knocks his ball away. Was B entitled to knock A’s ball away?
A. No. Under Rule 16-2, A is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and an additional ten seconds to determine whether his ball is at rest. Since B infringed A’s rights, in equity (Rule 1-4), B lost the hole, assuming that A’s putt was not for a half, in which case Rule 2-2 (Halved Hole) would apply. (Revised)
Player Jumps Close to Hole to Cause Ball Overhanging Hole to Drop — See 1-2/4.
Ball Falls into Hole After Concession of Next Stroke — See 2-4/2.
Ball Blown into Hole by Competitor Not Replaced and Holed Out — See 3-2/2.
Ball Overhanging Hole Falls into Hole After Being Addressed — See 18-2b/10.
16-2/3 Casting Shadow on Ball Overhanging Hole
Q. A player’s ball came to rest overhanging the edge of the hole. The player walked up to the hole and cast his shadow on the ball, believing that this would cause the grass to wilt and his ball to fall into the hole. Was the player in breach of Rule 1-2 (Exerting Influence on Ball) when he cast his shadow on the ball?
A. No.
16-2/4 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves When Flagstick Removed
Q. After a stroke from just off the putting green, a player’s ball comes to rest overhanging the lip of the hole but not resting against the unattended flagstick. The player reaches the hole without unreasonable delay and removes the flagstick. The ball either rolls away from the hole or falls into the hole. What is the ruling?
A. It is a question of fact whether the player’s actions caused the ball to move and any doubt should be resolved against the player.
The flagstick is a movable obstruction. If the movement of the ball was directly attributable to the removal of the flagstick, the ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole without penalty (Rule 24-1a). If the player caused the ball to move but the movement of the ball was not directly attributable to the removal of the flagstick, the ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole, and the player incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a.
If the player’s actions did not cause the ball to move and the ball fell into the hole, the provisions of Rule 16-2 apply, whether the removal of the flagstick occurs before or after the lapse of time contemplated by Rule 16-2.
If the player’s actions did not cause the ball to move and the ball moved to another position, the player must play the ball from that new position.
If an opponent or fellow-competitor were to remove the flagstick without the player’s authority, before the ball is deemed to be at rest under Rule 16-2 and as a result of this action causes the ball to move, the opponent or fellow-competitor has infringed the player’s rights as, under Rule 16-2, the player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and an additional ten seconds to determine whether his ball is at rest. In equity (Rule 1-4), the opponent or fellow-competitor incurs the loss of hole penalty in match play or a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. The player incurs no penalty and, in stroke play, must place the ball on the lip of the hole.
If an opponent or fellow-competitor were to remove the flagstick without the player’s authority, before the ball is deemed to be at rest under Rule 16-2, and this does not cause the ball to move, and the ball falls into the hole, the provisions of Rule 16-2 apply. (Revised)
16-2/5 Ball Overhanging Lip of Hole Moves and Strikes Flagstick During Removal of Flagstick
Q. After a stroke from off the putting green, a player’s ball overhangs the lip of the hole. While the player is removing the flagstick, the ball falls into the hole, striking the flagstick. The player’s actions did not cause the ball to move. What is the ruling?
A. In equity (Rule 1-4), there is no penalty under Rule 17. If the ball came to rest within the circumference of the hole with all of it below the level of the lip of the hole, the ball is holed. If, after striking the flagstick, the ball is deflected out of the hole, the ball must be placed on the lip of the hole without penalty.
The answer with regard to Rule 17 is not affected by how much time elapses before the ball falls into the hole after the player reaches the hole.
There would be a penalty stroke under Rule 16-2 if the ball falls into the hole after it is deemed to be at rest under that Rule.
If, prior to the lapse of the period specified by Rule 16-2, an opponent or fellow-competitor were removing the flagstick without the player’s authority and the ball fell into the hole and struck the flagstick before coming to rest outside the hole, the opponent or fellow-competitor would, in equity (Rule 1-4), incur the loss of hole penalty in match play or a two-stroke penalty in stroke play as he would be considered to have infringed the player’s rights under Rule 16-2. In such a case in stroke play, the player would be required to replace the ball on the lip of the hole. (Revised)