AboutMichael Hoffman Expertise I have been a golf professional since 1981. I was elected into the PGA in 1987. I attained my master clubfitter certificate in 1992. I have given thousands of lessons over the years and I can answer questions about instruction, golf in general, rules, equipment, practice techniques etc.
I have served served ojn the board of directors of the Southern Texas PGA for twelve years and was the President from 2002-2003.
Experience I started as as assistant golf professional in 1981. I have been a head golf professional at several clubs as well as the general manager at two clubs. I am master clubfitter and have given many individual as well as group lessons over the years. I was the President of the Southern Texas PGA 4 years ago. I have been a rules official for the tour qualifying school as well as other events. I have won the Merchandiser of the year award in our section twice.
Expert: Michael Hoffman Date: 5/8/2008 Subject: holed out - removal of flagstick
Question Playing a foursome. I was 80 yards off the green. Hit my ball...it hit the green....bounced once....rolled into the hole. Once everyone hit their ball onto the green, one of the other players pulled the flagstick from the hole and my ball popped out and landed about an inch from the hole. We were talking about my shot and did not think about my ball still in the hole. Was I considered holed out or should there have been a penalty for someone and I play my ball from where it lies to be considered holed out?
Answer Angie,
First of all congratulations on the nice shot. As far as if there was a penalty involved, the answer would be no provided the entire ball was below the surface of the hole. The ball would have been considered holed out.
From the Rules of Golf;
Holed
A ball is “holed” when it is at rest within the circumference of
the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole.
