Putting with the flag left in

[TigerBear]

Normally a no-no. But if your group is having trouble keeping up with the group ahead it's a good thing to do. That person can go ahead and get set up and blast away instead of standing around waiting for everybody to putt out.

Totally agree but as I said he would just walk to the next GREEN, hardly saw the guy all day, and he only had a putter with him!

 

[TigerBear]

Bit of a long walk though. Next tee I could understand but the next green??

Guy thought he was at a pitch and putt, minus the pitch!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Disagree that tending is a thing of the past.

On windy links courses like ours, the flag can sometimes be leaning over severely. On a long putt with it leaning towards you, there is little option but to ask for it to be tended as the ball won't drop if its left in, and it might be hard to see the hole without it in.

I get what you are saying and agree. I suppose that I meant old school tending is not really a thing now (although there may be a small minority who ask for it still).

What you are describing is weather related tending. I did the same a couple of weeks back on a windy day. I just held the flag upright using my putter though rather than actually holding the flag. Same outcome though.

 

[Backsticks]

Disagree that tending is a thing of the past.

On windy links courses like ours, the flag can sometimes be leaning over severely. On a long putt with it leaning towards you, there is little option but to ask for it to be tended as the ball won't drop if its left in, and it might be hard to see the hole without it in.

If the putt is long enough not to see the hole without the flag in it, then chances of the ball troubling the hole are so low that the putt may as well just be hit without removing it nor having it attended.
This is an example of where some compromise, perspective, and a negligible/insignificant price can be paid by anyone interested in faster play.

 

[SteveJay]

If the putt is long enough not to see the hole without the flag in it, then chances of the ball troubling the hole are so low that the putt may as well just be hit without removing it nor having it attended.
This is an example of where some compromise, perspective, and a negligible/insignificant price can be paid by anyone interested in faster play.

If you are that interested in faster play then why not just pick up when you reach the green and forego putting altogether. Would get you back in the clubhouse quicker, as that seems to be your main objective
For me I am not really bothered by pace of play, I can keep up with the group in front without the need for compromise.

 

[Jigger]

I haven't played golf since about 2018 so I've never putted with the flag in but seeing it occasionally on TV it just looks rude as if ''I'm not going to wait for you to tend the flag, I'm just going to putt anyway''.
It just looks wrong to me.
Am I the only one?

I’m not sure anyone really cares anymore. Sometime we putt with it in, most times it’s out.

 

[bobmac]

I’m not sure anyone really cares anymore. Sometime we putt with it in, most times it’s out.

That's what I thought. If I was still playing regularly, I'm sure I'd get used to it.