Can You Tend the Flag in Golf?

Few actions on the golf course cause as much friendly debate - and momentary panic - as what to do with the flagstick. Can your buddy pull it? Should you leave it in? Is there a penalty if your perfectly struck chip shot hits it? This guide will clear up all the confusion around tending the flag in golf. We'll walk through the current rules, explain the strategy behind when to pull the pin versus when to leave it in, and cover the proper etiquette so you can play with confidence and keep your group happy.

The Simple Answer: Yes, You Can (With a Few New Twists)

Let's get straight to it: Yes, you can absolutely have the flagstick "tended." Attending the flagstick, which means having someone stand by the pin and remove it as your ball approaches the hole, is a fundamental part of the game.

However, the biggest source of confusion stems from a major rule change in 2019. Prior to that, hitting the flagstick with a shot played from on the putting green resulted in a penalty. That's no longer the case. Today, the rules are far more relaxed, giving you more options and simplifying play on the greens.

The bottom line is that the choice is now yours in almost every situation. You have the option to putt with the flagstick in the hole, have someone attend and remove it for you, or have it removed completely before you even take your stance.

Understanding the Current Rule: Rule 13.2a

The old days of frantically waving your partner over to pull the pin for a three-foot putt are over. The modern rule, Rule 13.2a, has streamlined how we interact with the flagstick, primarily on the putting green. Let's break it down into the two most common scenarios.

Scenario 1: Your Ball is on the Putting Green

This is where the game changed significantly. When you are putting from on the green, you now have a choice to make before your stroke:

• You may leave the flagstick in the hole.
• You may have the flagstick removed from the hole.

If you choose to leave the flagstick in, and your ball strikes it, there is no penalty. The ball is simply played as it lies. If it goes in, it’s holed. If it bounces off the pin and stays out, you just putt again from its new location. There's no harm, no foul.

If you decide you want it removed, you (or your caddie/partner) can take it out before you play. You can also have it "attended," which we will cover next.

Scenario 2: Your Ball is Anywhere Else on the Course

When your ball is located off the putting green - in the fairway, rough, or a bunker - the rules regarding the flagstick are equally flexible. You are always allowed to have the flagstick left in the hole or removed. If you putt from the fringe, for instance, you can leave it in to use as a backstop. If you hit a chip shot from the rough and it strikes the unattended pin, there is no penalty.

The only time a penalty can occur is in a specific situation involving an attended flagstick. Let's explore what that means.

What "Attending the Flagstick" Actually Means

Having the flagstick attended is a simple process, but doing it correctly is a mark of good golf etiquette and awareness. It’s more than just yanking the pin out of the hole. Anyone in your group, including a caddie, a partner, or even an opponent in match play (at your request), can do it.

Here’s the step-by-step process for properly attending a flagstick for another player:

1. Position Yourself Correctly: Stand at a safe distance from the cup where you won't distract the player. Most importantly, ensure your shadow does not fall across the player’s line of putt. You should also be careful not to stand directly behind the hole on an extension of their putting line. Standing off to the side is always the best policy.
2. Hold the Flagstick Quietly: grasp the flagstick with one hand and lift it slightly to ensure it doesn't get stuck in the liner. Keep it perfectly still. Unwind any part of the flag that might be wrapped around the stick, as a flapping flag can be a distraction.
3. Watch the Ball's Pace: The key to good tending is timing. Watch the ball as it leaves the putter face. As it gets closer to the hole, you’ll judge its speed. You don't want to pull the pin too early (it can distract the player) or too late (you might get a penalty).
4. Remove the Flagstick Promptly and Safely: Once you are confident the ball will not hit the flagstick, remove it from the hole in one fluid motion. Step away from the hole and lay the flagstick down gently on the green, well away from any player’s line. Avoid tossing or dropping it, as this can damage the putting surface.

The Art of the Decision: When to Tend and When to Leave It In

So, if you can leave the pin in without a penalty now, why would anyone ever bother having it attended? This is where course management and personal preference come into play. There are strategic reasons for both choices.

Why You Might Want the Flagstick Tended and Removed:

• Clarity and Focus on the Line: On long, breaking putts, a flagstick can sometimes act as a visual barrier, making it harder to see the true line of the putt. Removing it clears the view and allows you to focus solely on the spot you’re aiming for.
• A Windy Day Distraction: On a gusty day, a flag whipping around can be incredibly distracting, both audibly and visually. Taking it out eliminates that variable and helps you concentrate.
• An Awkwardly Leaning Pin: Not all pins sit perfectly upright. If a flagstick is leaning significantly toward you or away from you, it no longer represents the true center of the hole. Pulling it can prevent a good putt from bouncing off.
• Comfort and Routine: For golfers who played for years under the old rules, seeing an open Cpp just feels right. Golf is a game of routine, and if having the pin pulled gives you more confidence, then that's the right play for you.

Why You Might Want to Leave the Flagstick In:

• Improved Depth Perception: For many golfers, especially on long-range putts, the flagstick provides a crucial sense of distance and serves as a clear target. It helps the brain commit to the shot with better speed control. It's much easier to hit *at something* than *at nothing*.
• The "Backstop" Effect: This is the most popular reason. The flagstick can deaden the speed of a firmly hit putt, increasing the chances that the ball drops in instead of lipping out or rolling well past the hole. Physics research has confirmed that on putts struck with too much pace, the ball is more likely to be holed if it hits the pin.
• Speed of Play: Leaving the pin in is undeniably faster. It eliminates the need to walk back and forth from the pin, saving valuable seconds on every green, which adds up over an 18-hole round.

Quick Rulings for Common Flagstick Scenarios

Knowing the basics is great, but golf has a way of presenting us with some unique situations. Here’s how to handle a few common flagstick conundrums.

My Ball Hits the Flagstick I Asked Someone to Attend... What Now?

If you ask another player to attend the flagstick for you, you are authorizing them to remove it. If you then make a stroke and your ball strikes the flagstick while it’s still in their hand or before they've had a chance to remove it, you receive the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play). The responsibility is on you, the player, because you authorized the attendance.

My Ball Hits an Unattended Flagstick from Off the Green... What's the Ruling?

No penalty. If you hit a shot from the fairway, fringe, or a bunker, and your ball hits the unattended flagstick in the hole, you simply play the ball from where it comes to rest without any penalty strokes. This is great news for those daring chip-ins!

Help! My Ball Is Leaning Against the Flagstick!

According to Rule 13.2c, if any part of your ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green while resting against the pin, the ball is considered holed. If the entire ball is above the surface of the green, it is not holed. You can then carefully move or remove the flagstick. If the ball then falls into the hole, it is holed. If it moves away from the hole, you must place it back on the lip of the Cpp without penalty and tap it in.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the rules and etiquette around the flagstick is a simple way to feel more comfortable and confident on the course. While the 2019 rule change gives you the freedom to leave the pin in while putting, knowing a situation might call for having it attended is a sign of a smart, seasoned player. Focus on what helps you feel most confident, communicate clearly with your partners, and always handle the pin with care.

Knowing the rules and making smart strategic choices are what separates a good round from a frustrating one. For all those other tricky situations on the course - like navigating a difficult lie in the rough or choosing the right club for an approach shot - our AI golf coach is here to help. With Caddie AI, you have a 24/7 on-demand expert in your pocket, ready to provide instant, clear advice so you can take the guesswork out of your game and focus on hitting great shots.