SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Yes but what studies look beyond the mechanics of what happens when a ball reaches the hole. Everything seems to be on the mechanics and possible interaction between ball, hole and flagstick.It's safer to ride a bicycle with a helmet on. It's safer to ride a motorcycle with a helmet on. Makes sense that it would also be safer to wear a helmet while driving your car....so why doesn't everybody wear a helmet while driving?......they don't want to.
That I know of.....most studies have shown that it is better to leave the flag stick in......ignoring that advice makes no sense unless you just don't believe any of the studies are true.
My assertion is nothing to do with that, it’s to do with a player‘s possibly quite different mental perception of the hole when it has the flag in and when the flag is out. This could well change the player’s thinking about the putt, and so could well be changing the probability of the putt being holed before the ball is even hit.
My golfing head likes to see the whole hole, and nothing but the hole. I don’t have to concern myself with the flagstick, just on getting line and weight sorted.