What Is a Stick on the Golf Course?

Hearing a golfer talk about a stick can be confusing, as this single piece of slang has a few different meanings depending on the context. It’s an inside term that can refer to a piece of equipment, a target, or even the quality of a player’s game. This article will break down every common use of the word stick on the course so you'll always know exactly what your playing partners are talking about.

The Most Common "Stick": The Flagstick on the Green

Nine times out of ten, when a golfer mentions "the stick," they're talking about the flagstick, which is also commonly called the pin. This is the tall, slender pole with a flag on top that sits in the center of the cup on every green, conveniently marking your target from afar.

You’ll hear this term used in all phases of the game. On the tee box of a par 3, another player might ask, "What’s the yardage to the stick?" While lining up an approach shot from the fairway, your caddie might say, "Just aim about 10 feet left of the stick." And once you’ve reached the green, someone in your group whose ball is a long way from the hole might ask, "Can you tend the stick for me?" which means they want you to hold it and pull it out as their ball gets closer.

Since the rule change in 2019, players now have the option to leave the flagstick in the hole while putting without penalty. This has led to a whole new set of debates and strategies on the green. Some players feel the stick acts as a helpful "backstop," while others believe it can cause balls to ricochet out of the hole. There is no right or wrong answer, it’s a matter of personal preference.

Practical Strategy: When to Play to the Stick

Just because you can see the stick doesn't always mean you should aim directly at it. As a coach, this is one of the most important course management lessons I teach. Smart golfers know when to be aggressive and when to play it safe.

Aggressive Play: Firing at the Stick

• When you have a green light: If the pin is in the middle of the green with plenty of room around it and you feel confident with the club in your hand, by all means, take aim and fire.
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• From a good yardage: Every golfer has a "go" number - a distance from which they feel highly accurate. If you're at your favorite 7-iron distance, it's often a good time to be aggressive.

Conservative Play: Aiming for the Fat of the Green

• The "sucker pin": This is a course architect's classic trap. The pin is tucked into a tight corner, right behind a deep bunker, or just over a water hazard. Aiming for this kind of stick is a low-percentage play. A slight miss could lead to a double bogey or worse. The smart play is to aim for the center of the green, secure your par, and move on.
• When in between clubs: If you’re not sure if it’s a full 8-iron or a soft 7-iron, attacking the flag is risky. The safer shot is to take the club that gets you to the middle of the green and commit to a smooth swing.

Treat the stick as your reference point, not always your mandatory target. A two-putt par from 30 feet away in the middle of the green is almost always better than a chip-out from a greenside bunker because you tried to get too cute.

Your "Sticks": Referring to Your Golf Clubs

The term "sticks" can also be used as a general, informal name for your golf clubs. It’s a bit of old-school slang that has stuck around. You'll often hear it in a slightly different context than when referring to the flagstick.

If you show up to the first tee with a brand-new driver, a friend might say, "Whoa, look at the new stick!" Or, if your whole bag is new, "Nice set of sticks you got there."

On the course, it's often used when discussing club selection. Before a shot, someone might ask, "What stick are you hitting?" This is simply another way of asking, "What club did you choose?" Conversely, if you airmail the green with a pitching wedge, a playing partner might joke, "That was a little too much stick."

This use is all about equipment. It’s part of the colorful, casual language of golf that makes the game feel more like a friendly hangout than a formal event.

Choosing the Right Stick for the Job

Choosing the right club is fundamental, but it's more than just knowing your stock yardages. Here's a simple process you can follow to make better decisions.

1. Get your number. The first step is to get an accurate yardage to your target. Use a rangefinder, GPS device, or sprinkler head markings. Let’s say the number is 155 yards.
2. Factor in the elements. Golf isn’t played in a dome. Is the wind helping or hurting? A 10 mph headwind can easily make a 155-yard shot play like 165 yards. Is the shot uphill or downhill? A significant slope can add or subtract a full club.
3. Assess the lie. Where is your ball sitting?
   • Perfect fairway lie: Ideal conditions. You can hit your standard shot.
   • Thick rough: The grass can grab the hosel of the club, slowing the club head and shutting the face, often resulting in a "jumper" that flies low with less spin or a shot that comes up short and a bit left (for right-handers). Often you need to take one more club to get it to the green.
   • Fairway bunker: You need to make clean contact, so a solid strike is more important than distance. Choose a club that you know you can pick cleanly off the sand.
4. Commit to the shot. Once you've considered all the factors and chosen your stick, the most important step is to commit. Indecision leads to tentative swings and poor results. Trust your choice, go through your pre-shot routine, and make a confident swing.

Knowing your "sticks" - your personal club distances - is foundational toconsistent golf. Hitting the driving range is great, but getting your on-course yardages with a launch monitor or GPS tracker will give you the real-world data you need to select the right club every time.

When "The Stick" Refers to Your Game

This is the most advanced, nuanced meaning of the word. Sometimes, "a stick" refers to a highly skilled golfer. It's a term of respect reserved for players with a solid, impressive game. It can be a noun used to describe a person or a state of being.

For example:

• "Watch out for Dave, he's a real stick." (Meaning Dave is an excellent golfer.)
• "I’m paired with a couple of sticks in the club championship today." (Meaning my playing partners good.)

It can also describe being in peak form on a given day. If you're hitting fairways and making putts, a friend might say, "Man, you've really got the stick going today." In this sense, it means you're "in the zone," playing with confidence, rhythm, and skill.

Being called "a stick" is one of the highest compliments you can receive on the golf course from your peers. It means your skill and consistency have not gone unnoticed.

Putting It All Together: A Scenario on the Course

Let's use a hypothetical hole to see how all three meanings can come into play in a single conversation.

You’re standing on the 10th tee, a 400-yard par 4. Your friend, Sarah, who is known for being a very good player, steps up and hits a perfect drive down the middle. You might turn to your other friend and whisper, "She's a real stick, isn't she?" (Referring to her skill).

You both hit your drives into the fairway as well. Approaching your ball, you see it's 145 yards out. You zap it with your rangefinder and confirm the distance. The flag is on the right side of the green, just behind a bunker. You turn to Sarah and ask, "The stick (the flagstick) is in a tough spot. What stick (golf club) are you thinking here?"

She replies, "It’s playing about 150 yards with the wind. I'm going with a smooth 7-iron but aiming for the middle of the green. Not going to take on that bunker." She proceeds to hit a beautiful, soft draw that lands 20 feet safely to the left of the hole, a perfect strategic shot.

You see how understanding these terms makes the conversation flow naturally. It’s part of the shared language that connects golfers.

Final Thoughts

So, the "stick" on the golf course is a versatile term. It most commonly refers to the flagstick on the green, but it’s also popular slang for a golf club and a high compliment for a skilled golfer. Now that you’re in on the lingo, you can spend less time translating and more time focusing on hitting your shot close to the stick.

My goal with Caddie AI is to arm you with the confidence to make the right call in any situation, whether you're choosing the right 'stick' for an approach shot or figuring out the best strategy to attack a tricky pin placement. Our app gives you a pro-level caddie in your pocket, offering instant advice on club selection and hole strategy. You can even take a photo of your ball in a tough lie to get an expert recommendation on how to handle the shot, turning uncertain moments into confident swings.