New Rules - what are you for and against?

[chrisd]

I have seen you putt Chris, and surely from long range you are just trying to get the putt dead. You are making someone attend the flag from long distance on the very unlikely chance you hit a good putt.

I reckon I will hole one putt a year from 40 foot plus a year, so a lot of wasted attending.

I reckon a 40ft putt for me us almost a gimme but lets not discuss 3 foot 😁😁

 

[Jacko_G]

All these bed wetters are really unbelievable. There is no rule that says you must tend the flag, with the removal of the penalty for hitting the flag there is no reason to even have it tended.

Just leave it in and putt until you're within range of seeing the hole unaided.

The amount of times I've tended the flag for people who can't even get their first putt within 10 feet of the hole is crazy, to suggest not tending the flag is disrespectful or not in the spirit of the game is nonsense.

Flag is in, putt to it.

Easy and quicker.

 

[Jacko_G]

I don’t plan on having the flag tended, but if I am playing into the wind then there’s a good chance that a putt dead centre won’t drop due to the lean of the flag.

Metal flag poles and metal holes where I play. Also when it's very windy the green keeper "clips" the flag therefore we don't get any hole movement or "flag lean".

 

[backwoodsman]

I can't see myself wanting a flag attended as of tomorrow, but I dare say some others might. If they ask, then to me it would be courteous to do it.

Should someone flatly refuse to do it, then I think they' be wise not to put any balls in the rough - as they are likely to be refused the reciprocal courtesy of help in looking for them.

After all, club golf at least, is supposed to be a social game.

 

[Jacko_G]

I can't see myself wanting a flag attended as of tomorrow, but I dare say some others might. If they ask, then to me it would be courteous to do it.

Should someone flatly refuse to do it, then I think they' be wise not to put any balls in the rough - as they are likely to be refused the reciprocal courtesy of help in looking for them.

After all, club golf at least, is supposed to be a social game.

Social and sub three hours. 100% with you on not ever needing the flag tended. Hopefully once the professional tours start kicking off and we start seeing Tiger and Jordan, Fleetwood etc all putting from 30 feet with the flag in we'll see a shift in attitude.

Let's get motoring. 👍

 

[Jacko_G]

Surely currently you only want the flag attended when you can't see the hole with out it ? With new rules you can now leave the flag in so problem solved. Why would you want flag attended ?

I imagine from long distance you have more chance of holing or stopping close to the pin with the flag in. I would not be best pleased if someone kept asking me to attend the flag, which just seems to be wasting time. Instead of attending I could be lining up my putt, and ready to go when my turn. Just to let everyone know if I was playing a friendly game and someone asked me to attend the flag, I would tell them where they can put said flag.

I very rarely have flag attended, as not keen on having someone standing in my line of sight, so new rules are perfect for me.

I don't think some people have actually thought their replies through and due to their dislike of my posts or through their dinosaur attitude can't see an improvement in the rules when its smacking them in the face. Very reasoned post Richart.

 

[Imurg]

We played tomorrow's rules today, mainly leaving the flag in.
Speed-wise I'm not sure it saved much time but I do know that I found it easier putting with the flag in.

 

[chrisd]

I don't think some people have actually thought their replies through and due to their dislike of my posts or through their dinosaur attitude can't see an improvement in the rules when its smacking them in the face. Very reasoned post Richart.

I agree that it's an improvement in the rules and will often putt with the flag in, BUT, tending the flag is still an available option and I will always try to observe the etiquette of the game if requested to do so by a pp and would expect the same in return.

 

[Jacko_G]

I agree that it's an improvement in the rules and will often putt with the flag in, BUT, tending the flag is still an available option and I will always try to observe the etiquette of the game if requested to do so by a pp and would expect the same in return.

Shame there is no need to do it or "any point" in doing it anymore.

There are bigger breaches of etiquette on the greens such as people not repairing plug marks, standing on your line of play etc etc.

 

[clubchamp98]

What about in a match play game one player wants the flag attended maybe because his eyesight is not 100% / superstition or any other reason.
But his OP refuses .
There’s a stalemate if nobody budges.
The player has the right to have it attended if that is what HE wants.

Just for the rule gurus if nobody relents what happens?
Could the committee be asked to rule on this if said match was abandoned because nobody would relent?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

All these bed wetters are really unbelievable. There is no rule that says you must tend the flag, with the removal of the penalty for hitting the flag there is no reason to even have it tended.

Just leave it in and putt until you're within range of seeing the hole unaided.

The amount of times I've tended the flag for people who can't even get their first putt within 10 feet of the hole is crazy, to suggest not tending the flag is disrespectful or not in the spirit of the game is nonsense.

Flag is in, putt to it.

Easy and quicker.

When the flag - for whatever reason - maybe just very strong wind blowing it to the side - is not sitting centre of the hole and if I have a longer putt then I will want it attended and ask a player partner or opponent to do that. If an opponent refused to attend a flag I would be very tempted to report that behaviour.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Surely currently you only want the flag attended when you can't see the hole with out it ? With new rules you can now leave the flag in so problem solved. Why would you want flag attended ?

I imagine from long distance you have more chance of holing or stopping close to the pin with the flag in. I would not be best pleased if someone kept asking me to attend the flag, which just seems to be wasting time. Instead of attending I could be lining up my putt, and ready to go when my turn. Just to let everyone know if I was playing a friendly game and someone asked me to attend the flag, I would tell them where they can put said flag.

I very rarely have flag attended, as not keen on having someone standing in my line of sight, so new rules are perfect for me.

We as a club have been playing flag in or out for social golf as part of our winter rules for the last 10 years or so , I have seen plenty times a ball hit the flag and not go in where as I believe it would have dropped with the flag out - it has also added nothing to the speed of play if anything added to the time with people wanting it out then in then out etc. I also believe it take a touch of skill away

I will always prefer to have the flag out to ensure the hole is empty when the ball reaches it so I’ll ask for it to tended on long putts

Rule 17 allows a player to have the flag tended and it’s also good etiquette imo to tend a flag for someone. It doesn’t cause undue delay on the game

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Shame there is no need to do it or "any point" in doing it anymore.

There are bigger breaches of etiquette on the greens such as people not repairing plug marks, standing on your line of play etc etc.

For some players there is still the need to have a flag tended

It’s all etiquette though and it’s all things you would expect players to do - if they don’t tend a flag for you then I expect people would think twice about helping you search for a ball etc

 

[Jacko_G]

When the flag - for whatever reason - maybe just very strong wind blowing it to the side - is not sitting centre of the hole and if I have a longer putt then I will want it attended and ask a player partner or opponent to do that. If an opponent refused to attend a flag I would be very tempted to report that behaviour.

I'd just laugh. Genuinely not being flippant but I would laugh if a grown man told me he was going to "report me".

May I suggest that you email your secretary and suggest metal flag poles.

 

[KenL]

What about in a match play game one player wants the flag attended maybe because his eyesight is not 100% / superstition or any other reason.
But his OP refuses .
There’s a stalemate if nobody budges.
The player has the right to have it attended if that is what HE wants.

Just for the rule gurus if nobody relents what happens?
Could the committee be asked to rule on this if said match was abandoned because nobody would relent?

Refusing to attend could be seen as a gross breach of etiquette leading to a DQ?

 

[chrisd]

Shame there is no need to do it or "any point" in doing it anymore.

There are bigger breaches of etiquette on the greens such as people not repairing plug marks, standing on your line of play etc etc.

As it doesn't come in your top 10 of breaches of etiquette you wont observe the etiquette or, as many will, just accommodate your playing partners wishes. I know what I shall do as my game of golf doesn't include upsetting those who I play with intentionally.

I'd happily agree to "no attending the flag" in bounce games but I would never in qualifiers. I disagree with the "no need to do it" or "any point" as it's the players choice whether there's a need, or point to it, when putting, it's their putt so its their decision

 

[KenL]

Would anyone refusing to attend the pin also refuse to remove it?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I don't think some people have actually thought their replies through and due to their dislike of my posts or through their dinosaur attitude can't see an improvement in the rules when its smacking them in the face. Very reasoned post Richart.

I don’t think it’s anything to do with you personally or having a dinosaur attitude, if I’m on the golf course for 2-4hrs with someone and they ask me to attend the flag for them I’d do it out of common courtesy.
I’m sure you/we can come up with scenarios about reading your line or getting ready to play etc, but there’s also the scenario were I maybe close to the hole and on their line, so attending the flag for them wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Jacko_G]

Would anyone refusing to attend the pin also refuse to remove it?

No.

Happy to remove it if anyone would wish it removed. That is in the spirit of the game.

 

[Jacko_G]

As it doesn't come in your top 10 of breaches of etiquette you wont observe the etiquette or, as many will, just accommodate your playing partners wishes. I know what I shall do as my game of golf doesn't include upsetting those who I play with intentionally.

I'd happily agree to "no attending the flag" in bounce games but I would never in qualifiers. I disagree with the "no need to do it" or "any point" as it's the players choice whether there's a need, or point to it, when putting, it's their putt so its their decision

We shall agree to disagree, as it'll end up going round and circles, I'll then be accused of spamming or trolling or whatever and the thread will run and run or be locked.

Have a fantastic New Year.