What do the rules of golf say about taking the flagstick out?
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. Be sure to lift the pin straight up—don't bend it or pull it toward you.
When do you tend the flag on a golf course?
Nov 07, 2021 · Leaving the flagstick in is a benefit to the golfer. It results in more successful puts and a lower match score. It does this by increasing the likelihood of a putt resulting in a hole. Even when the ball does not remain in the hole, it will stop closer to the hole if it hits the stick.
Should you pull the flag out when you putt?
17-1. From anywhere on the course, the player is allowed to have someone tend, remove or hold up the flagstick so that he can see the hole’s position. This must be done before the player hits his shot. (If the flag is being tended, the person tending it …
Do you touch the flag when you hit the ball?
Jun 04, 2015 · If you are off the green, you have an option of pulling the flagstick, having it attended, or leaving it in. If you opt to have someone tend it, they only have to pull it before the ball arrives. If it hits the stick while still in the hole, no penalty.
When should I remove my flag golf?
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
Why do pro golfers leave the flag in when putting?
Changes brought in the by Royal and Ancient and the USGA, golf's two ruling bodies, amended the rules for 2019. The bodies decided on the alteration because they believe "allowing a player to putt with the flagstick in the hole without fear of penalty should generally help speed up play".
Is it better to leave the flag in when putting?
The test results were conclusive: You will hole a higher percentage of putts when you leave the flagstick in. The reason for this effect is that a significant amount of energy is lost from a putt's speed when the ball hits a fiberglass flagstick.Jan 2, 2019
Can you leave the flag in when putting on 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
Does it count if you hit the pin in golf?
The R&A and USGA have today confirmed that if a golf ball hits a hole liner and it then bounces out of the cup that it DOES NOT count as being holed.Jun 29, 2020
Can you hit the flag in golf?
Some Important Things To Remember If the golf ball hits the flagstick being tended, the golfer incurs a penalty. If the ball ends up pinned, when the flagstick is removed, if the ball falls into the hole, it counts as in. If it does not, then it is placed on the lip of the hole and they must take another putt.Nov 2, 2020
Can you switch golf balls on the green?
You cannot switch out your golf ball on the putting green. Once a player has teed off on a hole, they must complete the hole before they are allowed to switch out their golf ball. You can mark and replace your ball when on then green, but you cannot switch it with another golf ball.
How many balls can a pro golfer carry in his bag?
How many balls can a pro golfer carry in his bag? Essentially, they can carry nine golf balls at a single time, but this isn't some crazy rule. In truth, they can carry around as many as they want, or as many as their caddies are willing to carry.
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).
Is it a hole in one if you hit the flag?
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 a hole in one called?
[A] Ace When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke. Also called a hole in one. Albatross A hole played three strokes under par, also called a Double Eagle.
What happens if you take the flag out of the hole?
If you take the flag out of the hole while a ball is in motion on the green, it's a penalty on you if you were not attending the flag to begin with. But again, a very important update to the Rules ...
Where to place flagstick in golf?
Place the flagstick in a location where it is least likely to get hit by a ball should someone get crazy with their stroke. When play of the hole is completed, retrieve the flagstick and replace it in the cup.
How to get flagstick out of cup?
After the golfer makes contact with the ball and the ball begins rolling toward the cup, lift the flagstick out of the cup. Be sure to lift the pin straight up—don't bend it or pull it toward you.
What does it mean to tend the flag?
So let's take a closer look. "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. ...
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.
How to not distract the player from the flagstick?
Be aware of the different players' putting lines, making sure that you are not walking across or standing in anyone else's putting line. Stand still and quietly so as not to distract the player for whom you are tending the flagstick.
Can you remove a flagstick from a golf course?
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. Just make sure that it really is necessary if you are the one asking for the flag to be tended (which is to say, you can't see the hole without it, ...
What is the USGA rule for flagsticks?
USGA Rules. 17-1. From anywhere on the course, the player is allowed to have someone tend, remove or hold up the flagstick so that he can see the hole’s position.
What happens if the ball stops against a flagstick?
If the ball stops against a flagstick that’s in the hole, then falls into the cup when the flag is removed, the player is considered to have holed out with the previous shot. If the ball doesn’t fall in, it is placed on the lip without penalty. 17-1. Flagstick Attended, Removed Or Held Up.
What happens if you hold a flagstick in a hole?
Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it while a stroke is being made, he is deemed to be attending the flagstick. Note 2: If, prior to the stroke, the flagstick is attended, removed or held up by anyone with the player’s knowledge and he makes no objection, the player is deemed to have authorized it.
What does it mean when a flagstick is held up?
Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to indicate the position of the hole. If the flagstick is not attended, removed or held up before the player makes a stroke, it must not be attended, removed or held up during ...
When is the flagstick unattended?
The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has been made on the putting green. Exception: When the flagstick is attended, removed or held up without the player’s authority – see Rule 17-2.
nofeargolf
If you are off the green, you have an option of pulling the flagstick, having it attended, or leaving it in. If you opt to have someone tend it, they only have to pull it before the ball arrives. If it hits the stick while still in the hole, no penalty.
Pepperturbo
OK, I've done some searches here on GolfWrx and looked through the rules, but couldn't find the actual rule... plus different people have given me different answers.
KevCarter
Please disregard opinions and peek at rule 17 which answers ALL your questions.
hoganfan924
i was watching a classic golf, on golf channel and they would putt out with the flag in, is that a penalty?
KevCarter
I'm disappointed to see that Kevin thinks he was rude when I viewed his comment as accurate, helpful and quite civil.
Hawkeye77
I'm disappointed to see that Kevin thinks he was rude when I viewed his comment as accurate, helpful and quite civil.
Mr. Bean
You can pull the flagstick from the hole at any time whether on or off the green...........even if you are 200 yards out and want the pin removed you have the right to remove it!! Same goes for tending the flag - you can have it tended anywhere on or off the green....and yes, if you are 200 yards out and want your caddy to tend the pin you have the right to do that..
Why do golfers take flagsticks out to putt out?
Because most golfers don’t play with caddies, the process of taking the flagstick out to putt out can delay play , and the USGA added that it does not anticipate the rule resulting in a scoring advantage.
What is the penalty for hitting a flagstick?
The Old Rule: Hitting the flagstick with your ball from on the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty. 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.”.
What does it mean to leave a flagstick in?
Leaving the flagstick in means you can ram in some short putts, taking break and doubt out of them. (But be careful — one firmly-struck missed putt can zip by!) Where this rule can more reliably help you is in pace of play. No longer do you have to feel a twinge of guilt for tapping in without first removing the pin.
Can you putt with a pin in golf?
Yes, as far as these things go. It already has been controversial! The headlines thus far have come from Bryson DeChambeau, who announced to GOLF.com last month that he intends to putt with the pin in. “It depends on the COR, the coefficient of restitution of the flagstick,” he said.
Why is my putt short with the flag in?
The reason the putt is short with the flag in is because golfers are unsure how far the ball will roll past the hole if it doesn’t drop so they hit it lighter. But with the flag in you can hit it harder knowing it will not go as far if you hit a little hard and the results show that it will probably go in . Alex .
Why leave the flagstick in?
Leaving the flagstick in also keeps the ball closer to the hole on misses. The less rigid flagstick has the highest make % and least distance after a miss. The most rigid flagstick is still an advantage for both makes and misses vs. flagstick out.
What is the difference between flag type 1 and flag type 2?
Flag type #1 is less rigidand absorbs more energy from the ball on contact. Flag type #2 is more rigidand absorbs less energy from the ball on contact.
What does the rules say about taking the flagstick out?
What do the Rules of Golf say about taking the flagstick out? The answer is in Rule 17-1 – Flagstick Attended, Removed or Held Up. ‘Before making a stroke from anywhere on the course, the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held up to indicate the position of the hole’.
When a flagstick is not attended, removed or held up, it must be attended, removed or held up?
The only really important thing you need to be aware of is that: ‘If the flagstick is not attended, removed or held up before the player makes a stroke, it must not be attended, removed or held up during the stroke or while the player’s ball is in motion if doing so might influence the movement of the ball’.
What is a flagstick in golf?
‘The flagstick is a moveable straight indicator, with or without bunting or other material attached, centred in the hole to show its position. It must be circular in cross section.
What is the rule for a ball resting against a flagstick?
Rule 17-4 – Ball Resting Against Flagstick states that: ‘When a player’s ball rests against the flagstick in the hole and the ball is not holed, the player or another person authorised by him may move or remove the flagstick, and if the ball falls into the hole, the player is deemed to have holed out with his last stroke; otherwise, the ball, ...
When is the flagstick unattended?
The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the stroke has been made on the putting green. Being the Rules of Golf, there is of course an exception: When the flagstick is attended, removed or held up without the player’s authority – see Rule 17-2.
What is the 17-2 rule?
You can read Rule 17-2 – Unauthorised Attendance and the penalties for breaching it here. I will however cover Rule 17-3 – Ball Striking Flagstick or Attendant as that is something that does happen quite frequently on the golf course.
How to make you feel better about leaving the pin in?
To make you feel better about leaving the pin in, think about how many long putts and chips you’ve seen crash into the pin and still stay in the hole. If you’re watching golf on TV, you’ve also seen several shots fly into the hole directly from the fairway and stay in.
What happens if you hit the pin in the third scenario?
If your putt hits the pin in the third scenario, there’s no penalty (former ly two strokes or loss of hole). It’s a major change in the name of speeding up play.
Why does a putt lose energy?
The reason for this effect is that a significant amount of energy is lost from a putt’s speed when the ball hits a fiberglass flagstick. The speed-loss enables gravity to pull the slower moving ball down into the hole more often.
Can you putt with a flagstick in the hole?
In a statement on its website, The USGA says there “should be no advantage in being able to putt with the unattended flagstick in the hole.”. It continues by saying that “In some cases, the ball may strike the flagstick and bounce out of the hole when it might otherwise have been holed,” while “in other cases, the ball may hit ...
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 th…
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…