Flags Out????

[Deleted member 16999]

I take it all those who are against the flag being attended only play Golf when it’s flat calm?

If I decide to leave a flag in but find it’s leaning towards me due to either wind or not sitting properly in the hole than I would ask someone in the group to attend it for me to reduce the risk of it hitting the flag and not going in.

I play Golf to relax, if someone refused to attend the flag for me on the rare occassion I requested, it would be the last time I join them on the course.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Unless the person tending has putted out then clearly it slows the game down. Instead of looking at your own putt, being ready to go as soon as your partner has taken their putt, you are stood holding a flag by the hole. That is as clear as can be.

Slowing play down is a red herring, you are stood there doing nothing while I putt, make yourself busy and attend the flag if requested.

 

[Jamesbrown]

We should keep it in for the sake of public health. Covid will still be around, flu will return and there’s that nasty norovirus always lurking!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Unless the person tending has putted out then clearly it slows the game down. Instead of looking at your own putt, being ready to go as soon as your partner has taken their putt, you are stood holding a flag by the hole. That is as clear as can be.

It doesn’t slow the game down in any way at all providing people use common sense

You aren’t stood there for 15 mins holding a flag

There is always plenty of time for people to tend - it’s very simple

When you all get to the green - you Mark , repair pitchmarks, check your line and then either you stand around waiting for someone to putt or in some cases you tend the flag . Then as soon as the stroke is made the flag comes out is putt down and you then go to your ball to make your putt.

 

[Jamesbrown]

Slowing play down is a red herring, you are stood there doing nothing while I putt, make yourself busy and attend the flag if requested.

LT could be putting his putter back in his bag marking his score card and removing his head cover on his driver and preparing to move to the next tee.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

LT could be putting his putter back in his bag marking his score card and removing his head over on his driver and preparing to move to the next tee.

Which could be noisy or in my eye line, all be distracting for me, therefore slowing me down and making me wait until he stops moving about etc.

Normally when a pp is putting I will quietly stand still.

 

[KenL]

Of course it wastes time.

A 2 ball both with a 30/40 yard putt (most likely short) both wanting it tended would need to walk to and from their ball to tend it.

Why bother anyway? Average amateurs hole a long putt about once in a blue moon.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Of course it wastes time.

A 2 ball both with a 30/40 yard putt (most likely short) both wanting it tended would need to walk to and from their ball to tend it.

Why bother anyway? Average amateurs hole a long putt about once in a blue moon.

You defeating your own argument, if it’s a 2 ball and they both want the flag attended, neither will be a problem and will help each other.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Which could be noisy or in my eye line, all be distracting for me, therefore slowing me down and making me wait until he stops moving about etc.

Normally when a pp is putting I will quietly stand still.

But as we have played together on many occasions you know that I behave as a pp should .

 

[Jimaroid]

Attending a flag is a simple courtesy. Like holding open a door, you just do it no matter the few seconds it costs you. It's remarkable this is even being questioned.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

But as we have played together on many occasions you know that I behave as a pp should .

Don’t think I’ve ever asked you to tend the flag either??

 

[KenL]

You defeating your own argument, if it’s a 2 ball and they both want the flag attended, neither will be a problem and will help each other.

No, I was responding to someone who suggested tending the pin didn't take (waste) any time.

 

[RichA]

Attending a flag is a simple courtesy. Like holding open a door, you just do it no matter the few seconds it costs you. It's remarkable this is even being questioned.

For me, courtesy is offered rather than being expected.
I played recreational golf only with friends for 20 years before quitting for 10 and have only recently restarted and joined a club. I now play handicap rounds and in competitions, where it feels a bit more like it matters. If I'm tending the flag for a playing partner while the following group are in sight behind us, I'm not lining up my own putt and will probably end up rushing. It may well adversely affect my score. Courtesy works both ways and flag tending seems to go against the principles of ready golf, which I thought we were all being encouraged to engage in.

 

[TigerBear]

Keep the rule for now. As a previous poster said, if it saves at least a single life or has prevented one person from becoming infected then it has been a success *thumbs up*

 

[Orikoru]

I genuinely think that after a year and a half of not touching the flags, and having got used to that, people will largely forget about 'attending' completely and it will become a non-issue for 99% of golfers. An old boy might ask you to attend the flag one day in a comp, and you'll chuckle to yourself about how quirky and old-fashioned he is.

 

[IanM]

Keep the rule for now. As a previous poster said, if it saves at least a single life or has prevented one person from inflected then it has been a success *thumbs up*

and it is another "there is no contact" element to shout at politicians if required! If only we could get some to understand that golf happens "outdoors!"

Question, is anyone actually not playing golf cos you have to leave the flag in??

 

[USER1999]

No, I was responding to someone who suggested tending the pin didn't take (waste) any time.

It doesn't waste time.

In your two ball scenario, both with long putts, unless they are both terrible putters, they will want to look at the putt from a couple of different angles, and probably from behind the hole as well. In which case, one of them stays there while the other putts, and then while the first one walks up to mark his ball, the other one walks back to his.

 

[KenL]

It doesn't waste time.

In your two ball scenario, both with long putts, unless they are both terrible putters, they will want to look at the putt from a couple of different angles, and probably from behind the hole as well. In which case, one of them stays there while the other putts, and then while the first one walks up to mark his ball, the other one walks back to his.

Nice try!
Most people I play with only look at a putt from one side, especially on a long putt that might "need" tended.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You'd expect someone to do something that is no longer necessary?, I'd have to say if you asked me I'd say no.

It isnt your decision to decide if it's necessary or not.

 

[TigerBear]

and it is another "there is no contact" element to shout at politicians if required! If only we could get some to understand that golf happens "outdoors!"

Question, is anyone actually not playing golf cos you have to leave the flag in??

Surely not some people refusing to play our wonderful game because of the pin staying in? Is it that much of an annoyance when you get a bounce out??!! Lol