I think I would be in favour, in time of the non-removable flag. Same for all. No hokey kokey.
I look at the hole just before I putt. However, as I strike the ball, I still have that vision of the hole in my mind. Even better when putting from about 2 to 10 feet, as you had been looking more downwards to the hole. Looks lots bigger with no flag in it.If it is such an obvious advantage to putt with the flag out, why would anybody putt with it in (well, accept for the folks who have trouble bending over)?
Personally, regardless of most articles being leave flag in, I've always considered it about 50-50. If you are convinced it's better to leave it in, you will likely feel better about your putting if you leave it in, and the opposite as well. It's a game of confidence.....if you are convinced you play better with old stinky socks....you better keep doing it
For those who claim taking the flag out makes the hole look a lot bigger.......I kind of get that....but are you looking at the hole when you putt, or the ball? I try to putt the ball on the line/direction I want....I'm not looking at the hole, so it's kind of irrelavent (to me....others disagree of course) how big the hole looks when I line it up.
And the ones who leave it in?Do you seriously think those are the reasons that guys who play for a living take the flag out?
It's a game of confidence. I've been playing so bad this week I just cancelled my tee time for today.....I've got a crappy attitude right now which will just lead to more crappy golf. Vicious cycle.I look at the hole just before I putt. However, as I strike the ball, I still have that vision of the hole in my mind. Even better when putting from about 2 to 10 feet, as you had been looking more downwards to the hole. Looks lots bigger with no flag in it.
If I leave flag in, I don't get that vision of a large hole to aim at anymore. I guess I start to doubt myself as I come to strike, and get a bit yippy. Or, maybe I am subconsciously trying to hit the ball to the part of the hole my mind sees, either side of the flag.
Anyway, for me I am significantly better with the flag out with those sorts of putts
I think a lot of it is because it is what they have always done, Pavlov's dog at work. Equally, as someone has pointed out, they don't walk up to the hole, remove the flag, hold it, put it down etc. Some other person, caddy, does it so they don't care.Habit. Superstition. Mistaken belief that it helps them. They are at work so have no consideratiin for slow play.
I usually have crap weekend. Then, during the week, have some sort of light bulb swing thought that makes me think I'll suddenly drive it like McIlroy, which makes me go back the next weekend. Only to play even worse thenIt's a game of confidence. I've been playing so bad this week I just cancelled my tee time for today.....I've got a crappy attitude right now which will just lead to more crappy golf. Vicious cycle.
Have you got the skinny flags??? Oh...I love them. Played (badly) at Moor Allerton on Wed....they have the skinny bottom flags....awesome. Doesn't seem like it would be that big of a cost to buy for the club.....and it pretty well solves that issue of flags causing the ball to stay out.I think a lot of it is because it is what they have always done, Pavlov's dog at work. Equally, as someone has pointed out, they don't walk up to the hole, remove the flag, hold it, put it down etc. Some other person, caddy, does it so they don't care.
Personally, as long as you have the thinner pins, I don't think there is a jot of practical difference and so I leave it, speeds things up.
Matt Fitzpatrick is the most analytical player on Tour who has tracked every shot he’s hit for years. He’s went to leaving the flag in, I wonder why that is?You need to look a bit harder then. If it's an advantage to leave the flag in why do the vast majority of pros take it out?
I think a lot of it is because it is what they have always done, Pavlov's dog at work. Equally, as someone has pointed out, they don't walk up to the hole, remove the flag, hold it, put it down etc. Some other person, caddy, does it so they don't care.
Personally, as long as you have the thinner pins, I don't think there is a jot of practical difference and so I leave it, speeds things up.
Have you got the skinny flags??? Oh...I love them. Played (badly) at Moor Allerton on Wed....they have the skinny bottom flags....awesome. Doesn't seem like it would be that big of a cost to buy for the club.....and it pretty well solves that issue of flags causing the ball to stay out.
Because it works best for himMatt Fitzpatrick is the most analytical player on Tour who has tracked every shot he’s hit for years. He’s went to leaving the flag in, I wonder why that is?
Heck, I'd be willing to chuck in an extra £5-10 if they were looking for extra money to buy that kind of flag.....maybe I'll bring that up.Unless you are the sort of club that has issues with kids stealing pins or perhaps an ultra windy links, I can’t see why you wouldn’t have the pins with the slim bottom foot or so. They also have a locking system which holds them in place in the cup.
Seems like an absolute no brainer.
Random irrational preference.Matt Fitzpatrick is the most analytical player on Tour who has tracked every shot he’s hit for years. He’s went to leaving the flag in, I wonder why that is?
This.If you are convinced it's better to leave it in, you will likely feel better about your putting if you leave it in, and the opposite as well.
Does the article put that in context though or am I missing it ? 99.9% of time doesnt indicate how beneficial it is to your putting. Its only half the story. It may help 99.9% of the time, but only making a holed/missed difference one in a million times, then we can still dismiss any flag in flag out difference as insignificant.I’ll stick to having the choice
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/th...-should-be-pulled-999-percent-of-the-time/amp
Does the article put that in context though or am I missing it ? 99.9% of time doesnt indicate how beneficial it is to your putting. Its only half the story. It may help 99.9% of the time, but only making a holed/missed difference one in a million times, then we can still dismiss any flag in flag out difference as insignificant.
Absolutely.Read the article ?
And you will never find a 100% answer and it’s down to personal preference