Flagstick Hell

DonM

OK, I'm overstating it a bit. But those of you whose seasons have not yet begun, get ready for, uh, flagstick annoyance whenever you play in a foursome of non-regular partners. Maybe even among regulars. There is always one who wants it out, and one who wants it in. So far in my experience, the "outs" get their way and the "ins" don't care as much because it was always out. I played in a two round league championship where there was more at stake, and the flagstick was sometimes in, then out, then in, then out. I have resolved to not care. After all, so rarely does it actually matter.

I liked the rule change, but in practice it isn't as convenient as it sounds. With some hothead gets involved in a foursome, I can see this blowing up.

Weirfan

DonM I liked the rule change, but in practice it isn't as convenient as it sounds. With some hothead gets involved in a foursome, I can see this blowing up.

If these are friends/ playing partners who do this , find new ones.
If strangers, tell them to go ahead and you will follow them.

garyt1957

Casual rounds, I don't care, I'll go with the majority. In tournament rounds I plan to leave it in, up to a point. Inside 3 feet who cares? In casual rounds why not let the guys who want it in do continuous putting then let the guys who want it out putt.

Sparky

I've gotten in about 6 rounds this year. I've had one person that wanted the pin out, and that was only on uphill putts. Me. Every other person I have played with has just left it in all the time.

Par4QC

Most usually, I leave it in. Esp. when playing alone. If playing in a group, the stick usually comes out as soon as we all hit the green. This year, not sure how that will be.
Bad thing is, the flagstick is never in the hole, never straight up/down. Course around here are using the same cups and sticks they had 30 years ago, it seems. They just do not fit tightly enough to not lean, one direction or another. With as windy as it is here in the summer, it is rare to find one straight any time.

Rickochet

Is there any guess how much time might be saved if your foursome leaves the pin in for all 18 holes?

Sneakylong

Watch David Feherty's show this week with Bryson DeChambeau. In the promo Dechambeau putts from a short distance like 1 or 2 feet and simulates how far it will go by the pin with it in and with it out. Once he reaches 10 feet (simulated) the ball goes in with the flag stick in and pops out with the stick out.

By simulated I mean he hits the ball hard enough to simulate how far past the hole the ball will go.

Typhoon

Our group had breakfast last month, wish I thought to bring it up. Like Par4QC, our cups and pins have been around since Nixon was in office. It's like throwing a hot dog down a hallway. I don't really care, we'll see?

Martee

In or out, so far unless I am facing a downhiller, I go with whatever it is. Now I have adopted my own rule, if it is out, I putt
And finish up, if the next guy wants the flag in, then I tell him to put it in, not my job to be your caddie. Of course if I am the last to putt I will put the flag in before leaving the green. With only a dozen or so rounds this year, more often than not everyone wants it different from the way it is. This not speeding play up at least with the one group I am playing with.

I am sure if told enough to put the flag in, they will decide to putt with it as is.

I am thinking for those who want it in, putt first, then pull it and others can putt. That would speed things up. Jmo.

PA-PLAYA

Whether it's in or out doesn't change my putting approach one iota (unless it's windy and the flag is moving and could be a distraction).

I do think it might be a worthy discussion for a group of regulars who play together most of the time to reach a mutual consensus to help avoid confusion and potential spats, not to mention the impact it could have on pace of play in some instances. If everyone is on the same sheet of music, it shouldn't really be an issue. If "Larry" likes to putt with the flagstick in - someone in the group can simply put the flagstick back in for Larry when it's his turn.

It shouldn't lead to a huge fiasco either way.

accufitgolf

My two golf groups are mostly leaving the pin in. We think is speeds up play.

darpar

In our regular foursomes for league play we've been leaving the pin in,and we find it does speed up play.
Today we played with a couple from SLC,and the guy's wife wouldn't putt til someone pulled the flag.
Only putt she made all day was from off the green....with flag still in!

garyt1957

When I play by myself I always leave the pin in. And I tend to putt better. But I'm not sure if it's because of the pin is in or I'm just more relaxed when playing alone. I have seen a few people say it's easier to read greens with the flag in.

mikeintopeka

I made my maiden voyage into 2019 golf around a local golf track today when invited by a friend to join his group. 1st hole one of the guys just starts putting until he holed it (2 putt). I'm now away and leave it in from about 12 feet and jar it to save par. I'm thinking "Mikey gonna be likin' this". All the guys left it in until the 8th hole when my approach is closest to the pin and I walk by and yank the flag out totally out of habit. I took 2 steps, stopped dead in my tracks, and apologized as I turned around and replaced it.

Coincidence? It was the fastest weekend round I ever remember recording on this really nice muni course that was packed with the promise of spring around the corner. There just seemed to be a smooth flow to the game not touching the stick.

garyt1957

mikeintopeka I don't think there's any doubt it's faster if everybody leaves it in . It's when everyone wants something different where it can get sketchy

KCee

On our winter golf trip most of us were leaving it in. Just a couple of guys didn't like it when they were inside 10 ft or so which did get a bit annoying when they couldn't decide whether to leave it in or not from 10-15 ft. I did find it a bit weird when I had that uncomfortable 5-6 foot putt, but I just kept leaving it in.

sdandrea1

We leave it in. Pace of play is WAY better.

limpalong

Becoming a real problem with our group. We will need to have a "meeting" before it gets really out of hand this year. My eyesight is fading and I like it left in. Shorter putts, it really doesn't matter. The issue we are having is some folks making the decision for others.
Today, I almost lost it on #5. Long putt so left the pin in. All lined up and just ready to take the putter back and noticed movement in me peripheral vision. One of the guys was walking up between me and the hole to pull the pin without even paying attention to me not only wanting it left in... but in the motion of putting. Yesterday, we had one in the group who pulled it on every hole, as soon as all were on the green... never asking. That wasn't our "regular" group, but was tough to deal with. Again, with my eyesight, I would often have someone tend the flag on long putts. When someone just pulls it and I've got a 40 footer...……..
I don't see how the USGA can really have a do-over on this one without just rescinding the change and going back to having it removed or tended.

DonM

My impression so far is that more guys want it left in than out.
The ones who want it in are willing to go along with "whatever".
The ones who want it out cannot deal with putting with it in.
I'm telling you, as the season ramps up, it won't be long before we hear of this leading to arguments etc.

sdandrea1

DonM My impression so far is that more guys want it left in than out.
The ones who want it in are willing to go along with "whatever".

Exactly how it is in my camp.

sdandrea1

I blame the USGA........