Hole
The hole is the target on the green, around 108 millimetres in size, into which you play the ball.
Under the rules the hole has a diameter of 108 millimetres and must be at least 100 millimetres deep. A Cup Liner keeps the edges stable, and the flag shows you its position from the fairway already. The greenkeepers move the hole regularly so that wear is spread across the green and the flag position varies daily. By the way, in golf the word hole also means the whole hole of the course: hole 7 is then the seventh playing hole from tee to green, not just the target.
In practice the last few metres are all about this small target. An example: a putt from four metres with a slight break from the right — you read the line, play it to the left of the hole and the ball topples over the edge with its last bit of spin. Since the 2019 rule change you may leave the flagstick in the hole while putting, which many use as an aiming aid. Before the putt you may clean up the edge of the hole but not press down your line.
There are typical misconceptions around holing out. A ball only counts as holed once it rests below the lip of the hole; a ball leaning against the edge does not count. If it leans against the flagstick in the hole, you may carefully remove the flagstick: if the ball falls into the hole it counts as holed; if it stays where it is, you play on. With a lip-out the ball spins around the edge and stays out — bad luck, but within the rules. And no, there is no deeper hole on request.
FAQ
When is my ball officially holed?
Only once the ball rests below the lip of the hole — a ball leaning on the edge or hanging on the rim does not count. If it leans against the flagstick in the hole, you may carefully remove it: if the ball falls into the hole in the process it counts as holed; if it stays where it is, you play on from there. With a lip-out the ball spins around the edge and stays out — bad luck, but within the rules.
May I leave the flagstick in the hole while putting?
Yes, since the 2019 rule change the flagstick may stay in while putting, with no penalty at all. Many players use it as an aiming aid because it makes the middle of the hole more visible. Whether you putt with or without the flagstick is pure personal preference — test both and decide by feel.
Why is the flagstick in a different place every day?
The greenkeepers move the hole regularly so that wear is spread across the green and the flag position varies. A new hole is cut and the old one closed with the grass plug taken out. For you that means: check the position before you hit your approach — it can change your strategy on the hole.