SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
It’s weird isn’t it the variation in preference since hardly anyone I play with leaves it in (for other than the longest putts)…and we all play the same game.
Putting with the flag left in
- Thread starter bobmac
- Start date
Mandofred
Well-known member
It's just like everything else though.....the world would be pretty boring if everybody liked one colour the best, or one tv show, style of clothing etc etc. I still say flag in/flag out is pretty 50-50, and then it's just up to what you "feel" better with. But....I've often wondered about how putts are perceived. To me....hitting the pin has helped me a lot more than hurt me, either it hits the pin and drops in where if the pin wasn't there it was NOT going to drop since it was too fast. Or, it has hit the pin and bounced out, but likely is closer to the hole than it would have been if the flag wasn't there. Other people I know are convinced that every time they hit the flag it would have gone in if the flag hadn't been there.....at the same time I'm standing there thinking "no way that would have dropped, it was going too fast".
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
yeah I hear this kind of comment has gained a lot of popularity
ball is off like a rocket, hits pin and they swear blind it would've defied physics & dropped if flag was out. Then they take flag out for rest of the round
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
It’s still a choice the player putting has.
Refusing is just bad manners. Imo.
I like the flag out.
But if I can’t see the hole then I have the choice to have it attended.
If a player refused I would just leave him there on the green ( unless it’s a major comp).
Would you help him find his ball later in the round if he refused a request to attend the flag ?
rulie
Head Pro
Two wrongs?
Swango1980
Well-known member
Hate having the flag in for makeable, but missable putts. I have a tendency to aim to either side of pin, and increase my chances to miss. Having pin out makes hole look a lot bigger.
So, I'll only be happy to have it in for very very short tap ins, or long putts that I'm only lagging to hole. Although, as long as I can see the hole, I'll have it out anyway for long lagging putts, if someone asks
So, I'll only be happy to have it in for very very short tap ins, or long putts that I'm only lagging to hole. Although, as long as I can see the hole, I'll have it out anyway for long lagging putts, if someone asks
srixon 1
Journeyman Pro
I wonder why, all those years ago the rule makers made it a penalty if you left the flag in when putting from on the green and your ball hit it? Was the thinking that you would get some kind of advantage if your ball hit the flag stick?
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
This is me 100% - it’s largely subconscious I think…but some of it is about my putt bouncing out off the stick so either ‘dead-drop’ or avoid. Do sometimes leave it in for <14” as even a relatively firm putt from that distance striking flag is unlikely to deflect out.
TigerBear
Active member
I don't think it's rude, used to leaving it in now unless it's a tricky putt then I like to have it away.
What is rude is when playing a medal at the weekend, one of the guys I was paired up with, if he holed out first he would start walking to the next green.
Mandofred
Well-known member
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.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Bit of a long walk though. Next tee I could understand but the next green??
Mandofred
Well-known member
Good spot.....I just saw it my head as the next tee. It would save time just to walk to the next green though....keep me out of the woods as well.Bit of a long walk though. Next tee I could understand but the next green??
bobmac
Major Champion
When I was learning golf, I was told the nearest to the hole either tended or removed the flag and the person who holed out first, retrieved the flag.
I guess that's gone now?
I guess that's gone now?
it isn't as precise as that now. Ready golf, for those who follow it, means that there is no rigid order. If you are ready, you putt. Anyway, as tending is a thing of the past that is not relevant. If someone wants the flag out, they take it out as they pass the hole, or ask someone who is passing the hole to remove it.
It's more fluid, like total football
need_my_wedge
Has Now Found His Wedgie
I’ve had way more putts lip out with flag out, than bounce off the flag in and not drop.
For me it’s flag in and aim for the pin in the middle, I don’t consider myself rude for doing that. If I’m playing with mates who prefer pin out, and take it out before I’ve finished putting, I putt with it out, it’s no biggie.
Attending the flag and passing it between players just slows down the game. In a time where ready golf is front and foremost, you take it out, you put it back.
For me it’s flag in and aim for the pin in the middle, I don’t consider myself rude for doing that. If I’m playing with mates who prefer pin out, and take it out before I’ve finished putting, I putt with it out, it’s no biggie.
Attending the flag and passing it between players just slows down the game. In a time where ready golf is front and foremost, you take it out, you put it back.
Mandofred
Well-known member
That's me. If you hit the ball at the right speed, it's not likely to bounce out off the flag, especially with a skinny bottom flag. Hit it a bit too fast...yep, very possible.
Hit a bit firmer might help it hold a line on bumpy greens. I guess it’s just down to judgement on the day. Same applies to flag in/out.
PJ87
Journeyman Pro
My default is leave it in. However if any single person in my group wants it out I'll go with it
One thing I don't like doing is putting it back in
Once it's out it's out.
Plus if your on a blind green and replace the flag someone might see the top going back in and play their approach
Mandofred
Well-known member
Yep....that's what I keep saying. If you want it out because it makes you feel better....it is. If you feel better with it in....it is.
SteveJay
Head Pro
Disagree that tending is a thing of the past.it isn't as precise as that now. Ready golf, for those who follow it, means that there is no rigid order. If you are ready, you putt. Anyway, as tending is a thing of the past that is not relevant. If someone wants the flag out, they take it out as they pass the hole, or ask someone who is passing the hole to remove it.
It's more fluid, like total football
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.
