Flag IN or OUT

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By AntD

  • 1 Like
  • 34 Replies
  1. AntD

    AntD
    Hampshire, UK

    Played this afternoon dragging the wife along for her first round of the year. Since she started to wear glasses for distance her putting hasn't been the same as she said she had issues judging the distance.

    On todays round I convinced her to putt with the flag in, firstly to help with perception of distance and secondly to help with stop those speedy putts.

    On evidence by the end of the round she was putting a lot better. She would often leave tap in putts short but now hearing the ball hit flag seems to have given her confidence to hit these harder. (now I just have to convince her to change clubs and ball to Titleist)

    Anyone else leaving the Flag IN?

  2. Shoaib

    Shoaib
    London

    I can't believe there aren't any comments or observations on here...this is the hottest topic in all my groups for the past couple of months.

    General observations and opinions are...downhill putt, flag in - long putt, flag in - short putt on a quick green, flag in...everything else flag out
  3. AntD

    AntD
    Hampshire, UK

    Shoab,

    I agree with your views on flag in or out based on distance and slope.


    One other variable is flagstick size and if you can get it to stand centrally in the hole.

    Still not sure this speeds up play, when ready golf is still not be being adopted by players.

    Ant

  4. Stuart M

    Stuart M
    Dundee

    Had a few now bounce out that I believe would've dropped had the pin been out, so anything inside 10/12 feet is out for me now.
  5. SKillen

    SKillen
    Dewsbury

    Other than in competitive golf, I've putted with the flag in for years, playing most of my golf solo it was easier and quicker than taking it out.

    So to me it's nothing new!

    Sean
  6. NMortimer

    NMortimer
    Hertfordshire, UK

    In from distance, out from about 6 ft or under
  7. John Strachan

    John Strachan
    Northumberland

    Hi
    I agree this should be a massive thread.
    My personal preference is long puts over 6 feet flag in
    Under 6 feet flag In
    I personally find that the flags at my course are not standing directly up and lean to one side or other, for any putts the flag comes out if it is leaning in anyway
  8. Paul Y

    Paul Y
    Suffolk

    completely agree with Shoaib
  9. JRowe

    JRowe

    Flag in for me on long puts, or awkward downhill sliders! Has helped speed up general play at my club, and it’s also protecting the area better around the hole. But it still looks strange thou.
  10. JT TITLEISTUSER

    JT TITLEISTUSER
    Wirral

    Played yesterday in a Society outing and the views were mixed/confused regarding the flag.
    Shoaib's general comments seem to sum up the overall feeling but the wind bending the flag also needs to be brought into the equation. In some instances yesterday, the flag was bending so much it seemed right to just take it out if you were "going for it" rather than lagging up.... Unless the flag was consistently bending away from you...
    Sometimes, theory gives way to practicality.
    JT
  11. Tosh.

    Tosh.
    Dundee,Scotland.

    I read somewhere that the powers that be might reconsider this rule as clubs are complaining about damaged flag sticks.........not sure how true this is though but I defo read it somewhere...
  12. AntD

    AntD
    Hampshire, UK

    Tosh,

    Surely more damage is done taking the flag out and dropping it on the ground and to the edges of the hole?

    I haven't heard of any course banning this or having a local rule.


    Ant
  13. Declan R

    Declan R
    Wexford Rep Of Ireland

    As a glasses wearer also , I find it great being able to leave the flag in for putts of around 20 feet and longer..... I take it out for most others inside this range.
  14. Linda S

    Linda S
    Northampton,

    I am leaving the flag in from a distance, out from close.
    Not convinced that this saves time at all. Some want the flag in others out!
    There is also a safety issue on blind greens - the group behind may react to the flag being restored!
  15. AntD

    AntD
    Hampshire, UK

    Linda,

    That's a good point. Some would see the top of the flag and expect the group in front to be clear when it could well be that that one of the group wants it back in to putt out..

    Obviously we shouldn't assume anything but there are some that will.


    Ant
  16. aOvery

    aOvery

    Hi -flag in for me -I have trouble with leaving putts short and flag in on long putts helps my distance pace judgement
    On short three footers I take flag out as I worry re flag stopping ball going in -very weird and no logic to it I know!
  17. Declan F

    Declan F
    Wexford, Ireland

    In for most putts especially long ones. If it speeds up play I just leave it for all putts.
  18. Tim Allwright

    Tim Allwright
    Scotland

    Traditionalist, flag out but must admit no having to ask some1 2 tend the flag on long putts is good, means they can be concentrating on there putt, speed up play, Ready Golf
  19. Alistair W

    Alistair W
    Dunfermline, Fife

    I agree with a lot of the thoughts around how the flag is lying in the hole or moving in the wind.
    So far I’ve settled on leaving it in for those nasty downhill putts but out for everything else. I prefer seeing the hole empty and unobstructed!
    I still like to have the flag tended, I think having someone standing there helps with perspective.
  20. Gaaary

    Gaaary
    Blyth, Northumberland

    Leave the flag in if it’s a down hill putt.
    Also depends which way the wind is, it’ll be interesting once the comps start this weekend.
  21. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Leaving the flag in on faster downhill putts and long lag putts. I'm not a fan of the flag in rule and I believe that option will be changed in the near future.
  22. JT TITLEISTUSER

    JT TITLEISTUSER
    Wirral

    Deno,

    You mean revert to what it was, or be further amended??
    What are your thoughts on the options?
    JT
  23. AntD

    AntD
    Hampshire, UK

    When playing on Tuesday there was some confusion in the group if you could still have the flag tended!

    Not sure why you would if leaving the flag in...
  24. Paul C

    Paul C
    Ascot

    The only reason I could see that someone may want it tended is to hold it straight Because the flag is leaning due to either windy conditions or mistreated by less conscientious golfers?
  25. MattH

    MattH
    Peterborough, England

    Flag in most of the time if I’m playing by myself unless it is leaning into a putt at all.

    In all other golf I’ll only leave it in if I’d have had it attended before. This seems to be the general consensus with the people I play with too.
  26. blair

    blair
    Scotland

    In from a distance where I would normally have it attended but out from anywhere closer
  27. TRoberton

    TRoberton

    no real preference but in my group(s) once the flag is out its stays out.
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