New rule regarding flagsticks an issue at golf courses in The Villages

The United States Golf Association recently implemented a new rule under Rule 13.2a (2): 

• There is no longer a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole. 

• Players are not required to putt with the flagstick in the hole; rather, they continue to have the choice to have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played).

Information obtained from www.usga.org:

Removing the flagstick to help in retrieving a golf ball from the cup is still considered proper etiquette and requires that we complete the task by hand. Using the flagstick to pinch and pull up the golf ball from the cup is frowned upon and not considered good etiquette standards.

The challenge for executive golf courses in The Villages is that many residents use assistance or ball removal devices for the convenience of not bending as far to remove golf balls from cups. When ball retrieval devices are inserted with flagsticks still in place the damage to the delicate edges of cups occur. It also causes degradation of the putting surface for the players that follow.  

The Villages is asking all residents that use these devices to simply pull the flag stick out gently and remove the golf ball with your device. This will ensure the integrity of the cup edges and allow players to enjoy the same crisp quality of the cups as the players before them.