We draw Members attention to new Rule 13.3a (2) where the flagstick can remain in when putting.
As many of you know there is no longer a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole. Players will not be required to putt with the flagstick in the hole; rather, they will continue to have the choice to have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played).
We have noticed that a lot of cups have been damaged in this process so we ask members to take extra care when taking the ball out of the hole when the flagstick is in and to use two fingers and not forcefully remove the flagstick to get balls out of the hole. Alternatively members can remove the flag from the hole and then get the ball to avoid any damage. We thank members in advance for their cooperation.