flagstick attending

Question
Is it still a penalty if you are putting off the green, you haven't asked anyone to remove the flag, and as the ball gets to the hole and it is apparent it may go in the hole, the flag bearer removes the pin? I though there was some amendment to that rule or is it where the flag is lying on the ground and you hit it and it's a penalty.
ps I can hardly read the SPAM guard - hope I got it right!

Answer
Hi Marie:

Where do you come up with these questions Marie?  Your answer is it is a two shot penalty on the person who pulled out the flagstick.  Rule 17-2 states it plainly.  Since you did not authorize him to tend the flag for you, it is considered unauthorized and therefore it is a penalty on him for doing it.  As for the flagstick itself, if your ball is on the green, you cannot hit the flagstick at all.  So make sure you put the stick off the green in the fringe to be safe, you never want to get a penalty for hitting the flagstick when your on the green.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member