cookelad
Tour Winner
At the risk of another HNSP debate, when I first started I was taught when tending the flag to pull the flag out of the bottom of the cup and tilt it so that I could stand 5-6ft away from the hole!
tending the flag
- Thread starter hovis
- Start date
North Mimms
Tour Winner
That's the way that a lot of professional caddies tend the flag.
I personally hate the pin being tilted- I need all the cues I can get as to what is verticcal and horizontal around the hole1
S
Snelly
Guest
Not sure but I would think it is for the whole time...
S
Snelly
Guest
I don't think it is nuts. I think it is very sensible. Saves time. In or out - not a problem.
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Putting with flag in could give an advantage as it can allow players to putt with more pace & using the flag stick as a bumper or defense against rolling well past
When putting/chipping from just off the green I always have the flag left in for this very reason
When putting/chipping from just off the green I always have the flag left in for this very reason
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
Yes, but on balance I think it helps more than it hinders.....I almost always leave it in. As regards the RAC "rule" I'm assuming they are small greens or the members have better eyes that I do!!
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Agreed, I guess my logic is that physically the ball still fits in the hole with the stick in place (particularly on dead weight putting) & that 10 times out of 10, a ball will be traveling at a slower speed after striking the flag stick than it was the moment before it hit it so it will finish nearer the hole after a strike then it would do without one
So the odds just seem to favour leaving it in where possible
S
Snelly
Guest
The greens are gigantic!
My view is the flag keeps the ball out more than it helps it in so I take the pin out every time I can whether putting or chipping unless I am too far away to practically see the hole.
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Just on this point and I know we're straying from post topic, but I take it everyone's course uses tapered flag sticks?
(Narrower at the hole end of course)
(Narrower at the hole end of course)
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Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
Errr, no........ but they aren't those really fat ones. I'd guess the proportion using tapered sticks is quite high but by no means universal.
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
No idea, why?
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
More space between stick and rim for the ball to fit in the hole
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
More space than what? You could have a non-tapered flagstick that is thinner than the tapered end of a tapered one.
rulefan
Tour Winner
The USGA have sponsored a massive trial which shows that there is a 34% better chance of your ball being better off after playing with the flagstick in the hole that with it out of the hole.
rulefan
Tour Winner
Not quite the same but this demonstrates what the R&A's reaction would be.
[h=2]33-8/10[/h][h=4]Local Rule Prohibiting Removal of Flagstick[/h]Q.May a Committee make a Local Rule for winter-time play prohibiting removal of the flagstick? The purpose would be to reduce traffic around the hole in the winter when the putting greens are very soft.
A.No. Such a Local Rule would modify the Rules of Golf.
[h=2]33-8/10[/h][h=4]Local Rule Prohibiting Removal of Flagstick[/h]Q.May a Committee make a Local Rule for winter-time play prohibiting removal of the flagstick? The purpose would be to reduce traffic around the hole in the winter when the putting greens are very soft.
A.No. Such a Local Rule would modify the Rules of Golf.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Nope - don't think so.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Quite. I just don't get that a LR can be made to allow the flag to be left in when putting and it can be hit with no penalty. Add in tapered bottoms to sticks and you get a nice downward deflection for a too firmly hit putt.
And it's not necessary. Just stand to the side - you don't have to hold the flag to be attending it. You just have to state you are attending it; be asked to attend it; or be standing close enough to be deemed to attending it. Putt is struck - you step in and take the flag out and step away. This gets round players standing for 30secs say in the same spot close to the hole whilst attending it by holding it and making an indentation in a giving/soft/spongy green.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
We do it for non comp games during winter rules
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
...you walk up to the hole to get your ball but can't attend the flag even although you could stand away from hole attending the flag whilst PP is putting. Nope - don't get it.
I'm guessing some folks don't realise you can attend the flag without holding it.
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