If an opponent or his caddy in stroke play or a competitor or his caddie in stroke play operates, removes or holds up the flagstick without authorization or without the player's prior knowledge during the stroke or while the ball is in motion, the opponent or competitor incurs the applicable penalty if that action could affect the movement of the ball.
*PENALTYFOR VIOLATION OF RULES 17-1 OR 17-2:
Hole play - Hole loss; Counting play - Two strokes
*If there is a breach of Rule 17-2 in stroke play and the competitor's ball subsequently strikes the flagstick, the person handling or holding it or anything carried by that person, the competitor does not incur a penalty. The ball must be played as it lies; however, if the shot was made on the green, it is nullified and the ball must be put back and the shot repeated.
Status: 2018