"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.
Full Answer
How do you use the flag in golf?
Whether standing on the tee area to hit a drive or hitting an approach shot from the fairway, golfers typically use the flag to help aim their shot to the green. By visualizing the most direct path to the hole, golfers can plan their shots to play the hole with the fewest number of strokes.
What do the flags on the flagstick mean in golf?
You see them on putting greens to mark the location of the hole. Some golf courses color code the flags on flagsticks to denote if the hole location is near the front, center or back of the green. Another way of doing the same thing is to put the flag high, middle or low on the stick.
When should the golfer closest to the hole remove the flagstick?
The golfer closest to the hole should take the flagstick out once all players are on the green, according to the website of the Becky Pierce Municipal Golf Course in Huntsville, Ala. Lee Elder broke down racial barriers throughout his career and paved the way for others.
What does it mean to'tend the flag'in golf?
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. 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.
Who is responsible for putting the flagstick back in the hole?
1. It's important to realise that if the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it, they are deemed to be attending the flag (unless requested otherwise by the player concerned) and therefore responsible for it until the ball comes to rest.
Why do golfers remove the flag in when putting?
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. The new rule addresses that issue.
What is the flag rule in golf?
Purpose of Rule: This Rule covers the player's choices for dealing with the flagstick. The player may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played), but must decide before making a stroke.
When did the golf flag rule change?
On Jan. 1, more than 30 changes to the Rules of Golf — some small, others significant — will take effect.
When should I remove my flag golf?
The flagstick is removed after you have made the putt so that you are able to line up accordingly.
How many balls can a PGA player carry?
nine golf ballsUnder the Rules of Golf, a golfer can carry as many golf balls as they want in their bag. Really, they can carry as many golf balls as they're willing to carry around themselves or their caddie is willing to lug around for them. Most PGA Tour golfers carry in the area of nine golf balls in their bag per round.
Can flags be removed in golf?
A golf club has allowed its members to remove the flag from the hole by placing hand sanitiser stations next to every green.
Should I leave the flag in when putting?
01 percent of the time. So that's the only time the flagstick will help a putt go in the hole that would not have gone in otherwise. The rest of the time—99.99 percent—the better play is to putt with the flagstick out of the hole.
Can you still have the flag tended in golf?
It's OK for the flag to be tended for any shot, from any location on the golf course. But in the real world, players request tending of the flag primarily when attempting long putts (when they might have trouble seeing the hole without the flag).
Can a Caddie take the ball out of the hole?
The player's caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player's ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player's ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.
Why do golfers take off their glove to putt?
Golfers take off their glove when they are putting because they want to have a better feel. The golf glove is used to help give players a better grip and more control when they are swinging a club at a fast speed.
What happens if you hit the flag in golf?
Leaving it in You all know you can make a stroke with the flagstick in the hole, whether your ball is on or off the green, and the ball in motion can hit the flagstick, there's no penalty and you play it as it lies.
What does it mean to hold a flagstick in golf?
That means that one golfer stands next to the hole and holds the flagstick, then removes it before the other golfer's putted ball reaches the hole.
What is a flagstick?
A flagstick is exactly that: a stick with a flag on it*. You see them on putting greens to mark the location of the hole. Some golf courses color code the flags on flagsticks to denote if the hole location is near the front, center or back of the green.
Is it OK to putt with flagstick in?
1, 2019, that penalty was removed — it is now OK for golfers to putt to a hole with the flagstick in or out, at the golfer's preference. In the golf rules, situations involving the flagstick are covered in Rule 13-2, within the broader Rule 13 that addresses situations on the putting greens.
Can you put the flag high on the stick?
Another way of doing the same thing is to put the flag high, middle or low on the stick. (A course that does this should note the practice on its scorecard or pin sheet.) Prior to 2019, it was a penalty for the golf ball to enter the cup with the flagstick still in the hole for any stroke played from the surface of the putting green. ...
Is a flagstick circular?
In a separate section of the Rules of Golf (not included in the normal rulebook) called the Equipment Rules, the governing bodies also state that the flagstick must be circular in cross-section, cannot include any shock-absorbing material or other material that might influence the movement of the golf ball.
Is "flagstick" a synonym for "pin"?
"Flagstick" and "pin" are synonyms and are used interchangeably by golfers. ("Flagstick" is often shortened to just "flag," too.) However, the governing bodies always use flagstick, never pin. So you might say that flagstick is the technically accurate term of the two words.
Do flagsticks have to be at the top of the golf cart?
So be sure to familiarize yourself with Rule 13-2 for any questions regarding the role of the flagstick in golf. (*Note that a flagstick does not have to have a flag, or banner or bunting, flying at its top. Rarely, golfers encounter other items at the top of the flagstick, such as wicker baskets at Merion Golf Club .)
How fast does a flagstick stop the ball?
The study also showed that the coefficient of restitution for the flagstick is relatively low, and that direct impacts with the stick, regardless of the type, tend to stop the ball fairly quickly, helping it to finish in the hole every time at a speed that sends the ball five to seven feet past the hole.
How many putts are holed in a tapered aluminum stick?
But for the tapered aluminum stick, it got worse: only two of the nine putts were holed. That's a difference of 78 percent between flagstick out and flagstick in. In an earlier test from a longer distance, Mase found that straight-in putts were made 100 percent of the time with both the flagstick out and the flagstick in.
Does a flagstick prevent off center putts?
While Mase’s research is preliminary, the takeaway is pretty clear: The benefits of the flagstick are at best inconclusive and may in fact prevent off-center putts from going in more often than they would if the flagstick were removed. In other words, hold on to your DeChambeau.
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 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.
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.”.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Why do golfers put flags on the green?
Whether standing on the tee area to hit a drive or hitting an approach shot from the fairway, golfers typically use the flag to help aim their shot to the green. By visualizing the most direct path to the hole, golfers can plan their shots to play the hole with the fewest number of strokes.
When were flags first used in golf?
Flags mark the way for a golfer's journey. Flags, the objects on top of the sticks used to mark each hole on a golf course, were first mentioned in 1875, although golf historians believe they were used before that date.
What is the rule for flagsticks in golf?
Rule 17 of the Rules of Golf governs flags and flagsticks. If a golfer hits the flag with a shot when the flagstick is in the cup, the next shot must be played from where the ball comes to a stop. If you putt from on the green or if the flag has been removed for your shot, you are penalized if the ball hits any part of the flagstick, ...
What does the color of the flag on the green mean?
At many courses, the color of the flag on the flagstick indicates the general location of the hole on the green. A blue or yellow flag typically indicates a pin position, or where the hole is located, at the back of the green; a white flag is used when the hole is in the middle of the green; a red flag signals a pin position at the front ...
How big is a flag stick?
The size of flags varies by course. The flagstick itself, however, is regulated by the USGA. The stick must be circular in cross-section and no more than 3/4 inch in circumference to allow enough room for the ball to drop into the cup. Also, it can't be padded or covered with absorbent material that can influence the reaction of a ball that hits it.
What is the safety feature in golf?
This safety feature typically is used in tournaments, when the course is crowded, and involves marshals who monitor play . The marshals use flag signals ...
Who is Jim Thomas?
Jim Thomas has been a freelance writer since 1978. He wrote a book about professional golfers and has written magazine articles about sports, politics, legal issues, travel and business for national and Northwest publications. He received a Juris Doctor from Duke Law School and a Bachelor of Science in political science from Whitman College.
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.
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 ...
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 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 happens if you don't hold up a flagstick?
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. Note 1: If the flagstick is in the hole and anyone stands near it while a stroke is being made, ...
Can you get penalized for flagstick?
Unfortunately you would actually incur the penalty unless it was intentional. If it is intentional and they tried to influence your ball or force you to get penalized then they will be disqualified. Hopefully that helps clear up some of the common misconceptions when it comes to dealing with the flagstick.
Should you leave the pin in when you are off the green?
So make sure that you are clear when you are off the green that you want someone to tend it and pull it as your ball nears. In most cases unless you really think you are going to make it or at least have a chance to, it's probably best to leave the pin in.
Can you putt a 40 yard pitch shot?
Short chips around the green or putts from the fringe can be made whereas a 40 yard pitch shot most likely won't be. Something to note is that if someone is not tending the flag when you putt, they can't run up there and tend it after you have struck your putt if they think you are going to hit the flag.
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 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’.
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 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’.
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.
Who takes the next shot in golf?
According to the United States Golf Association, the player in your group who is farthest from the hole – not the closest -- takes the next shot, meaning you may have to wait a while before your big putt.
Why is proper etiquette important in golf?
Proper etiquette around the green is important because putting plays such a key role in the game. Because recreational players who shoot 90 to 100 might hit more than 30 putts during a round, proper decorum and order around the green are essential.
What happens if your ball is the same distance from the hole?
If your ball is roughly the same distance from the hole as another player’s, then you and your playing partners should decide as a group who putts next, according to the USGA. If the group decides it is not your turn, you can use the time to study your putt while being careful not to distract the player about to hit her shot or putt.
What is the order of play in golf?
USGA Rule 10, Order of Play determines when players should hit their shots. However, the rule does allow for golfers to shoot out of turn. According to the rule, if the player farthest from the hole is not ready to play, he can ask another player to hit a shot or putt. In that circumstance, you could receive permission to hit your putt ...
What to do if you are not farthest from the hole?
If you determine you are not farthest from the hole, mark your ball with a plastic marker or coin and wait your turn.
What is the rule for re-hiting a putt?
Rule 20-5. It usually does not happen in casual play, but USGA Rule 20-5 does allow for an opponent to ask you to re-hit your putt if you play out of order. In that case, you would play another shot from the same spot without penalty.
Should you march up to the green and knock the ball in?
You should march up to the green and knock the ball in, right? Not so fast. Golf has rules for just about everything – including determining who putts first once all players are on or near the green. According to the United States Golf Association, the player in your group who is farthest from the hole – not the closest -- takes the next shot, ...
