Natpharm MidwayJ We'll have to agree to disagree here. I'm all for speeding up play (especially in my league where it's not unusual for 9 holes to take 3 hours), but also feel that the choice to putt either way should be available. If I find I'm more comfortable/confident putting with the flag in why should this option be taken away from me? If someone else is more comfortable/confident with the flag being out of the hole, should I (or the group) be able to tell them that they're going to have to putt with the the flag in?
In principle I agree and I suppose there wouldn't be much choice in league play. However, in practice it could just get ridiculous. I am going to suggest that the regular group I play in establish some ground rules. For example, we leave it in until someone wants it out, but once it's out it stays out. Reasonable exceptions would be permitted, such as the guy with the steep downhill putt who wants it back in.