In golf, tending the flag means that someone - either you, your caddie, or another golfer - stands next to the flagstick (the flag sticking out of the hole) and removes it after the person playing has made their putt. Sounds simple, right? Well, there is a little more to it than that.
Can you remove the flag from the hole at a golf club?
Feb 07, 2022 · There are other occasions when you’re limited in moving or removing a flagstick. One of these is when you’ve hit a putt with the flagstick still in the hole and the ball is in motion. Here, Rule 13.2b (3) says you, or your caddie, can’t deliberately move or remove the flagstick to affect where that “ball in motion might come to rest”.
Can the flagstick be removed during a golf match?
At the end of the day you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully but don't forget to factor in your own playing style and of course the nature of the green. For example, if you are putting downhill you might like to leave the flag stick in …
When do you tend the flag on a golf course?
It's common practice once all golfers are on the putting green for someone in the group to ask, "Hey, anyone need the flag?" If the answer is no, the flagstick can be removed and set aside (place it off the green, out of the line of play). As a courtesy, players should always tend the flag for one another if it's requested.
What is the penalty for hitting a flagstick off the Green?
Not anymore. The 2019 edition of the Rules of Golf removed that old rule. Now, golfers can leave the flag in or take it out, whichever they prefer. In the current rules, Rule 13.2a addresses the flagstick: The player may make a stroke with the flagstick left in the hole, so that it is possible for the ball in motion to hit the flagstick.
When can you take the flag out of the hole in golf?
Once the person putting has made contact with the ball, then you can lift the flagstick out of the cup. Be sure to lift it straight up because it can become stuck otherwise, or you could pull out the liner. As the ball approaches the hole, walk away with the flagstick.
Why do golfers take the flag out?
The United States Golf Association and the U.K.'s Royal and Ancient Golf Club changed the rule mainly to speed up play. Since most golfers don't use caddies, the need for individual golfers to remove the flag when they reach the green can increase their time on it.May 19, 2021
Can I remove the flagstick in golf?
Here, Rule 13.2b (3) says you, or your caddie, can't deliberately move or remove the flagstick to affect where that “ball in motion might come to rest”. The obvious example, and which is given in the Rule, is to stop it hitting the flagstick.Feb 7, 2022
When can a caddie tend the flag?
"Tending the flag" means that someone — your caddie, another golfer — stands next to the flagstick in order to remove it from the cup after you've struck your putt. Note that (as of the 2019 Rules of Golf edition) a golfer may choose to play to the hole with the flag in or the flag out, at the player's preference.May 24, 2019
Is it better to put with the flag in or out?
0:521:57FLAGSTICK IN OR OUT | Which is BETTER? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo my recommendation is very clear always keep the flagstick in the hole when you have the chance IMoreSo my recommendation is very clear always keep the flagstick in the hole when you have the chance I hope this information helps you gain and I wish you a lot of hole putts.
Can you hit the flag in golf?
If you hit the flag it's 2 stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole if you are in match play. If you are off of the green there is no penalty if you hit the flag unless you ask someone to tend it and then they don't pull it out.
What is the penalty for hitting the flagstick while putting?
There is normally no penalty if a ball in motion hits the flagstick. This Rule applies to a ball played from anywhere on the course. Continued), whether on or off the putting green. Continued).
Can you hold the flag while putting?
You can putt and hold the pin at the same time. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Make sure the ball does not strike the flagstick (Rule 17-1/5). If so, it is a loss of hole in match play of a two stroke penalty in stroke play.Jul 7, 2010
What is the penalty for a lost ball?
If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).
Can you tend the flag from off the green?
The New Rule: According to the USGA, under Rule 13.2a(2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.” Players will still have the option to remove the flagstick or to have someone tend the pin and remove it after the ball is struck.Dec 24, 2018
Who tends the flag in golf?
It’s important to know that if the flag is in the hole, the person that stands near it is going to be deemed as the person that will tend the flag unless another player requests the job. This means that the person standing closest to the flag will be responsible for it until a ball comes to rest.
Why are flags important in golf?
In golf, the flags are a very important part of the game. The flag is used to identify where a hole is placed. The flags extend up to several feet above the ground which allows a player on the course to easily locate the hole’s position on the green from hundreds of yards away.
What is flag etiquette?
Flag Etiquette. The term tending the flag refers to someone standing next to the flagstick and removing it from the cup once a player has struck their putt. A golfer can choose to play to the hole with the flag out or in, based on their preference. In years past, if a golfer played a stroke from the green to the cup with the flag still in, ...
Can you put a flagstick in a hole?
If the ball is on the green, avoid putting with the flagstick in the hole. You can either remove the flagstick yourself for ask another player to hold it and remove it when you’re playing. During match play, if a player putts and their ball hits the stick when it’s in the hole, they will lose the hole.
How to tend a flagstick?
How to Tend the Golf Flagstick 1 Approach the flagstick and take hold of it, standing at arm's length. Be aware of the different players' putting lines, making sure that you are not walking across or standing in anyone else's putting line. 2 Stand still and quietly so as not to distract the player for whom you are tending the flagstick. After the golfer makes contact with the ball and the ball begins rolling toward the cup, lift the flagstick out of the cup. 3 Be sure to lift the pin straight up—don't bend it or pull it toward you. We point this out because that flagstick can become stuck in the cup, and if you pull it out violently or without care it's possible you could pull out the cup liner, too. 4 As the ball approaches, walk away from the hole with the flagstick, again, being careful to avoid stepping in any golfers' putting lines. 5 Take the flagstick to the edge of the green and lay it down off the putting surface. Place the flagstick in a location where it is least likely to get hit by a ball should someone get crazy with their stroke. 6 When play of the hole is completed, retrieve the flagstick and replace it in the cup.
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. The protocol for tending the flag, or requesting that another golfer tend the flag for you, is sometimes difficult for beginning golfers to discern. So let's take a closer look.
Do You Have to Remove the Flagstick Before Putting?
Here's the situation: Your golf ball is on the putting green and you are lining up your putt. The flagstick stands in the hole. Do you have to take that flagstick out before you putt? Or, at least, have someone tend the flag and remove it before your ball reaches the cup?
The Flagstick Rule Changed in 2019
For as long as golfers alive today can remember, one of the rules of golf was that you could not hole a stroke played from the putting green while the flagstick was still in the cup. To put it another way: The flagstick had to be removed from the cup before your ball fell in for any stroke played from the green.
Golf Range Finder Use and Pin Seeking Technology
Flag Etiquette
- The term tending the flag refers to someone standing next to the flagstick and removing it from the cup once a player has struck their putt. A golfer can choose to play to the hole with the flag out or in, based on their preference. In years past, if a golfer played a stroke from the green to the cup with the flag still in, they faced a penalty. Bu...
Requesting That The Flag Be Tended
- It’s perfectly fine for the flagstick to be tended to for any type of shot at any location on the course. A player can request tending of the flag when they’re attempting long putts. This is when a player may have difficulty seeing the hole from a long shot. Some players will also request flagstick tending when chipping off the green. The flag should be tended for another player if: 1. …
Tending The Flag
- If you’re the one that’s tending the flag, make sure that you approach it, remove it and stand it at arm’s length. Keep different players putting lines in mine, ensuring that you’re not standing in anyone’s putting line or walking across it. Keep quiet and still in order to avoid distracting another player. Make sure you lift the pin straight up and avoid pulling it toward you or bending it. This is …
Important Flag Rules
- It’s important to know that if the flag is in the hole, the person that stands near it is going to be deemed as the person that will tend the flag unless another player requests the job. This means that the person standing closest to the flag will be responsible for it until a ball comes to rest. 1. A golfer can request that the flagstick be removed whether it’s off or on the green. It can also be le…
Color-Coding and Difficulty Level
- In golf, the flags are a very important part of the game. The flag is used to identify where a hole is placed. The flags extend up to several feet above the ground which allows a player on the course to easily locate the hole’s position on the green from hundreds of yards away. The color of the flag sends a message, telling the player in the tee box or in the fairway the relative location of the fla…
Final Thoughts
- For new players, learning the ropes of the game can be very challenging. Hopefully, this article has helped to clear up some common misconceptions when it comes to tending the flag in golf properly. While some of these rules may seem unfair or even a little ridiculous, there’s a reason for everything when it comes to the golf rules and how the game is played. Whether you’re a low ha…