When Can You Pull the Flag in Golf?

Knowing exactly when you can pull the flag in golf feels like something that should be simple, but thanks to a major rule change a few years back, it's a point of confusion for many golfers. Getting it wrong used to mean a penalty, and getting conflicting advice on the course can leave you second-guessing an already tricky putt. This guide will walk you through the modern rules for the flagstick, the strategy behind leaving it in or taking it out, and the proper etiquette for helping your playing partners, so you can step onto any green with complete confidence.

The Great Flagstick Debate: A Simple Rule Made Simpler

For decades, the answer was straightforward: if you were putting from the green, the flagstick had to be out of the hole when your ball arrived. If it wasn't, you faced a two-stroke penalty (in stroke play) or loss of hole (in match play). That all changed in 2019.

The 2019 Rule Change That Everyone Should Know

The USGA and R&A implemented a major modernization of the Rules of Golf, and one of the most impactful changes was Rule 13.2a(2). Here’s the bottom line:

You are now allowed to make a stroke from anywhere on the putting green with the flagstick left in the hole. If your ball hits the unattended flagstick in the hole, there is no penalty.

That's it. It’s that simple. You have the choice to putt with the flagstick in or out, and you won’t be penalized for your decision. The goal was to simplify the rules and, most notably, to speed up play. No longer does a group have to wait for someone to walk up and tend the flag on every long putt. You can just step up and putt, saving time and mental energy on the green.

This is now the default rule, but old habits die hard. You will still play with golfers who insist on pulling the flag, either by tending it for you or pulling it before you putt. While often well-intentioned, it's worth knowing that the choice is now entirely yours.

Strategy vs. Rule: When Should You Leave It In or Take It Out?

Just because you can leave the flagstick in doesn’t mean you always should. The decision to pull the flag or leave it in has become a strategic one, based on the situation, the flagstick Caddie itself, and your personal preference.

Reasons to Leave the Flagstick IN:

• As a Backstop: This is the most common reason. On fast, downhill putts where you're worried about the ball racing too far past the hole, the flagstick can act as a backstop. Rather than trickling six feet by, the ball might hit the pin and drop or stop within tap-in range. Many scientific studies have even suggested that on all but the most perfectly centered putts, the flagstick helps redirect borderline shots into the hole more often than it rejects them.
• For Better Aim: Some golfers find that the flagstick provides a much clearer target to aim for than an open hole, especially from long distances. The vertical line of the pin helps with alignment and can make it easier to visualize the path your ball needs to take.
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If you're playing a casual round and are far from the hole, it's often easiest to just leave the pin in and putt. This keeps the game moving, especially if your partners are on the other side of the green.

Reasons to Take the Flagstick OUT:

• The Flagstick is Leaning: A common and very valid reason to remove the pin is if it's leaning significantly toward you or away from you. A pin leaning toward you physically blocks a portion of the hole, making your target smaller. A pin leaning away exposes more of the cup, but some players worry it might cause the ball to "lip out" when struck squarely. In either case, pulling it removes any doubt.
• Fear of a Hard Rejection: Despite studies showing the contrary, some golfers simply can't shake the mental image of a perfectly hit putt striking the center of the pin and bouncing straight back out. Putting is a game of confidence, and if you believe you have a better chance with the flag out, that positive mindset is more valuable than any physical advantage the pin might offer.
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Many golfers just plain prefer the look of an open hole. They grew up learning to pull the pin, and the clean, clear target feels "right" to them. There's nothing wrong with sticking to tradition if it makes you feel more comfortable over the putt.

Ultimately, the decision is a "you do you" scenario. Experiment with both a little and see what gives you the most confidence.

Perfecting Your Green-Side Manners: The Art of Flag Etiquette

While the rules have become more lenient, timeless golf etiquette has not. Knowing how and when to handle the flagstick for your playing partners is the mark of a considerate golfer.

What Does "Attending the Flagstick" Mean?

"Attending" or "tending" the flag is the act of holding the flagstick and removing it from the hole as another player's putt approaches. Since the 2019 rule change, a player specifically has to authorize you to attend the flagstick for them.

The process is as follows:

1. The player whose turn it is to putt asks if someone can "tend the pin" or "get the flag."
2. Another player (often the one closest to the hole) walks over to the pin.
3. The tending player will hold the pin, lifting it slightly if it's stuck, and ensure it's centered in the cup.
4. Once the putter strikes the ball, the person tending the flag pulls it straight out of the hole and moves away from the cup before the ball gets there.

How to Tend the Flag Without Being a Distraction

There's a right way and a wrong way to do this. Following these simple steps will ensure you’re helping, not hurting:

• Be Still and Quiet: When the player is addressing their ball, don't move or make noise. Your job is to be a silent statue until the ball is on its way.
• Mind Your Shadow: Be aware of the sun. Position yourself so your shadow does not fall across the player's putting line or over the hole. On a long putt, this might mean standing quite far back from the hole initially.
• Hold the Flag at Arm's Length: Don't hug the pin or stand directly in the player's line of sight behind the hole. Hold it with one hand so you present a smaller profile.
• Pull the Pin Promptly: The moment you hear the "click" of the putter making contact with the ball, pull the flagstick straight up and out of the cup. Don't wait for it to get close - a slow pull can be a major distraction.
• Place it Properly: Lay the flagstick down gently on the green, well away from where any player might walk or where a putt might roll. Don't toss it or drop it loudly. Place it off the green's surface if possible and practical.

Common Flagstick Questions Answered

Even with the rules laid out, a few tricky situations always seem to pop up on the course. Here’s how to handle them.

What if my ball comes to rest against the flagstick? Is it holed?

This is covered by Rule 13.2c. If any part of your ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, your ball is considered holed - even if the rest of it is leaning against the flagstick and isn't entirely in the cup. You are allowed to gently move or remove the flagstick, and if the ball drops into the hole, you've holed out on your previous stroke. No penalty!

What if I’m playing my shot from off the green, like the fringe or a bunker?

The old penalty only ever applied to strokes made *from the putting green*. It has always been permissible to leave the flagstick in when chipping, pitching, or playing a bunker shot from off the green. In fact, for many golfers, leaving the pin in on a tough chip is a great strategy to help stop the ball near the hole. The 2019 rule change didn’t affect this, it simply extended the same logic to putts on the green.

What if another player removes the flag without me asking them to?

There's no penalty. If your opponent in match play or another player in stroke play deliberately removes the flagstick to affect your ball in motion, that’s another story (and a penalty on them). But if a playing partner simply pulls the flag out of habit before you putt, there is no penalty for you. You can either putt at the empty hole or ask them to put it back in if you prefer it.

Final Thoughts

In short, the choice to pull the flag is now yours on every putt. You can leverage the flagstick as a backstop for aggressive putts or remove it for a clean-looking, traditional target. There’s no right or wrong answer - only the one that fills you with the most confidence when you’re standing over the ball.

Understanding these little on-course rules and strategies is what turns a confusing situation into a chance to play smarter. But you don't have to memorize a rulebook. That's why we built Caddie AI, it's designed to give you instant, simple answers to any question right when you need them. Whether you're facing a strange lie, are unsure about a rule like this one, or just want smart strategy for the hole you're about to play, you can get tour-level guidance in seconds, removing the guesswork so you can focus on hitting great shots.