When you take out the flag...

[Fyldewhite]

I usually hold it at the flag end, put the other end on the ground and just drop the flag end from about 2 feet. I've never seen this do any damage to any green so I don't see the need to get anal about it. As long as there's no damage it doesn't matter. Have seen the javelin brigade in action though and it's so annoying as surely it's obvious that it will cause damage?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Usually use my putter or foot to lower it, if it's close the the edge of the green I'll put it in the fringe

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Take it out and lower it before letting go and always try and put it on the nearest fringe. If I pick it up and feel lazy and want to lean on it I make sure I'm off the green so it doesn't leave an indentation. Amazing how many don't

 

[19thagain]

I have the opposite problem!!

One of our group is so aware of this problem that he will not lay the flag down but passes it from one player to another after they putt.

This is OK BUT...he is therefore never ready to putt as he is so concerned about the flag and by the time he has passed it on, studied his line and putted ... we are aware that time has passed so we end up rushing to the next tee!

We take the flag from him and lay it down but he will not take the hint .. the next hole he is again playing 'pass the flagpole'!

 

[mr109]

When I take the flag out i normally drop it my foot then it goes on the ground from there.

This.

Al

 

[clubchamp07]

Are you saying by droping the stick we're causing damage to the greens.
I normally have my butler hold it while I putt out, so really no need for one to touch something that other scavangers have touched.
He also picks my ball out of the hole for me.....

I dont let him touch my Robocaddy!!!

 

[ScienceBoy]

I always seem to put it somewhere in the way, I tend to hold it then hand it to someone else.

helps if you are good at chipping so others have to go before you do

 

[bladeplayer]

When I take the flag out i normally drop it my foot then it goes on the ground from there.

+1

 

[RGDave]

Usually use my putter to lower it,

+1.

I've not dropped a flag in decades. My spaceship putter is the perfect lowering tool.

 

[Matty]

Place one end of the flag onto the green and then drop the other end onto my foot or putter - much like everyone else.

 

[brendy]

Depends on mood, sometimes I like place non flagged end on the ground and drop the flag, sometimes even cushion it with my foot... Other times I launch it like Fatima.

 

[Alex1975]

Heavy end down and drop the rest I think. What I do know is that I make sure the green is not hurt in any way but I don't bend over.

I guess the right answer is: Hold it for my buddy's cos I picked up two shots ago


Kidding ofc

 

[SyR]

I think I lower it using the actual flag but sometimes I use my foot or putter?

 

[need_my_wedge]

my normal practice is to use my putter as a lever to lower the flagstick.
remove flag from hole, place lower part on ground and flag area on putter, i feel this helps prevent unwanted indents on the green, i use the back of the putter to pick the flagstick up sometimes as well. Why bend if not necessary

ditto

 

[Region3]

I place it on the green with my hand. Sometimes drop it onto my foot but not very often.

I don't know why but even if it's not windy I still try to get the flag to fold up on the green and put the stick on top of it to stop it blowing about.

 

[GB72]

i am another one who drops it onto my foot and lowers it. Annoys me to see people throwing the flag down. I have known people reach the green, repair their pitch marks then throw the flag down not thinking that they are repairing one bit of damage only to then potentially cause another.

 

[Evesdad]

Drop onto shoe and then the floor or lower with my putter. What about tending or when holding flag while others putt out? I always rest the bottom of the flag on my shoe.

 

[Leftie]

TBH, I've seen and used most of the methods above described but I've never noticed any damage caused to the greens by those who put the heavy end onto the grass first and then let the flag end go (usually from about waist height).

Bob. Are you suggesting that this practice actually causes damage or are you just having a quiet day??

 

[richart]

As i am young supple and fit, i bend over and place it on the ground. Where you leave it on the green can be interesting, as i am not keen on it being left on my line behind the hole.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We've a guy in our Saturday swindle who must be alllergic to something on the pole or the flag. He never ever puts it back in even if he's the last to putt out. He gets so much earache every week but he doesn't change. Its becoming a running joke now and we're having a sweep on which day and on whic green he eventually cracks and puts one in