KenL
Tour Rookie
That is allowed!
I would be fighting this if I were on the receiving end of a stupid decision.
https://www.randa.org/en/news/2020/03/covid-19-related-guidance-on-the-rules-of-golf
Retrieving Ball Safely without touching the flagstick
- Thread starter 55ripgolf73
- Start date
That is allowed!
I would be fighting this if I were on the receiving end of a stupid decision.
https://www.randa.org/en/news/2020/03/covid-19-related-guidance-on-the-rules-of-golf
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
I don’t think it was according to the sec he asked for advice from R&A.
You could not hold the flag with your hand only with a club.
Yorkshire Hacker
Newbie
Thank you Saint Hacker for your sensible assessment. Don't you think we are all getting I teeny bit precious with all this?
All bar one of my midweek PPs are over 70, and I haven't heard one of them worry about touching the flag stick as they pick the ball out of the hole. Nor do they spray the ball with sanitizer or anything like that. We are just playing a normal round of golf with the cup nearer the surface, and certainly no lifting mechanisms. I actually don't like the flag kept in, but rules are rules.
All bar one of my midweek PPs are over 70, and I haven't heard one of them worry about touching the flag stick as they pick the ball out of the hole. Nor do they spray the ball with sanitizer or anything like that. We are just playing a normal round of golf with the cup nearer the surface, and certainly no lifting mechanisms. I actually don't like the flag kept in, but rules are rules.
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
I’m going out tomorrow I’ll try and get pics then
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Why would you get disqualified? Attending the flag is still within the rules isn't it? Touching it breaks health guidelines but not golf rules?
rulefan
Tour Winner
Perhaps the committee were acting under Rule 1.2
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
It was allowed from yesterday.....not the day before!!
chellie
Tour Winner
So can you only use a club to centre the flag. Also, how can you stop it moving around in strong winds like we had this weekend
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
So can you only use a club to centre the flag. Also, how can you stop it moving around in strong winds like we had this weekend
No.....that’s not what it says.
KenL
Tour Rookie
I now see that guidance note was issued yesterday but was the steadying the flag rule only added yesterday?
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Under Covid rules you can’t touch the flag with your hand.
But you can with a club.
Shooter McPowick
Head Pro
Orikoru
Tour Winner
But that's not a golf rule is it?? You shouldn't be disqualified from a comp for it! That's just for health and safety in the current climate isn't it. That's different surely?
I thought you were allowed to touch the flag to centre it, just not with your hand, so an elbow or forearm could do.
Our place started back in May using the upturned cups, they were too shallow and the ball wouldnt stay in it to count as holed.
Thick foam inserts came the following week, I thought they worked really well, no bounce outs and two fingers had the ball out easily enough.
These were replaced with the thick full sleeve putt buddy devices, I couldnt stand them as they blocked the ball dropping when putting into any sort of wind, I suggested cutting around 270 degrees out of the section that would interfere with the ball so that it would allow the ball to drop without coming in contact with anything but the original flag. The greenkeeper tried it on one but only milled out two sides rather than leaving one single support which could be lined up behind the pin. I think there must have been quite a few complaints over the thicker putt buddys as they were replaced again this week with the javelin type which is isn't a sleeve, more of a dipstick connected to the plastic base that lifts out with a putter lifting the lever. I played like an absolute beginner but couldn't fault the new type, I still much prefer the flag out when putting though.
Our place started back in May using the upturned cups, they were too shallow and the ball wouldnt stay in it to count as holed.
Thick foam inserts came the following week, I thought they worked really well, no bounce outs and two fingers had the ball out easily enough.
These were replaced with the thick full sleeve putt buddy devices, I couldnt stand them as they blocked the ball dropping when putting into any sort of wind, I suggested cutting around 270 degrees out of the section that would interfere with the ball so that it would allow the ball to drop without coming in contact with anything but the original flag. The greenkeeper tried it on one but only milled out two sides rather than leaving one single support which could be lined up behind the pin. I think there must have been quite a few complaints over the thicker putt buddys as they were replaced again this week with the javelin type which is isn't a sleeve, more of a dipstick connected to the plastic base that lifts out with a putter lifting the lever. I played like an absolute beginner but couldn't fault the new type, I still much prefer the flag out when putting though.
rulefan
Tour Winner
Are you sure they were puttbuddy? They only have one rod and that is close to the flagstick.
Edit: Just noticed your comment re 'thicker' and realised we must have a 'slim' version as the picture above isn't quite what we've got. It is certainly seems to be a slimmer rod.
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Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
Rlburnside
Challenge Tour Pro
Simple and cheep?
rulefan
Tour Winner
But I would still have to bend down 
need_my_wedge
Has Now Found His Wedgie
These work pretty well as long as they are in the hole. The flag stick is a little thicker at ground level, but not had any issues putting out. However, the ball lifter can get stuck in the raised position at times. Played behind a 4 ball of our long term older members last night. They left the ball lifter in the raised position on virtually every hole, had to go knock it back down before putting out.
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