We all know that since the 2019 rule change, we can keep the flagstick in the hole without costing any extra strokes.
However, just because we can doesn’t necessarily mean we should. Right? Does keeping the flagstick in during your round help you make more putts, or does it actually hurt your round?
We took a deep dive into this topic to see what people are saying.
What is everyone saying?
If there is a topic in golf to debate, it’s not hard to find different sides to the story!
Here are what some of the game’s authorities are saying about leaving the flagstick in, and then we will give you our two cents on the issue.
Tom Mase
Golf Digest did a story about this back in 2019 when the rule first changed.
The author, Tom Mase, a mechanical engineering professor, found that through his research, more golf balls were holed with the flag left out than with it left in.
He found that even skilled putters hit the flagstick in the center only about a quarter of the time.
The problem with missing the center of the flagstick is that you leave the possibility of the ball deflecting off the stick.
Dave Pelz
Dave Pelz, the short game expert, also did a study, and his, of course, contradicts that of Tom Mase.
Pelz found that putts are more likely to be holed when the flagstick is in.
His theory is that the flag stick reduces the ball’s speed upon impact and lets gravity pull the ball more effectively into the hole.
MyGolfSpy
MyGolfSpy also did a test that suggested the same thing that Pelz did.
They found that even the putts that were missed stayed closer to the hole, thanks to a little help from the flagstick.
However, the type of flagstick matters and the less rigid flagsticks are better in percentage, as they tend to reduce the deflection when the ball hits the flag.
So, what does this mean for your game?
Of course, with the difference of opinion we found no wonder why you are asking yourself when you play which decision is best.
Here is what we recommend based on the research as well as our own experience on the course.
Consider putt distance and speed
When you have a long putt where you are unsure of the speed or something that is downhill, it may make sense to leave the flag.
Use it as a form of damage control in case you really miss the hole.
If it’s distracting on short putts, take it out
For some golfers, looking at the hole and trying to make a putt when you are just a few feet from the pin can be a bit distracting.
If this is the case, go ahead and take it out. You want to hit the center of the cup on the short putts anyway.
Fast vs. slow greens
If you miss a putt, you want to miss it, so just past the hole. That’s the best way to play the game of golf.
If you are playing fast greens and struggling to have the confidence to putt the ball past the hole, put the flag stick in and see if it helps.
Maybe you’ll have less fear of accelerating through your golf ball.
Do your own test!
Why did we get conflicting results when we looked at all of these results? Every golfer has their theory on this.
You have to do your own research and see what works for you.
Some players who have been golfing for thirty years would never putt with the flagstick in, and other new golfers have no reason to take it out. Make your own decisions.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s completely up to you. Find a solution that works for your game, and if that changes from one course to the next or from one hole to another, that’s completely acceptable.
