When Can You Take the Pin Out in Golf?

Knowing whether to leave the flagstick in the hole or take it out used to be complicated, but a 2019 rule change made the decision much simpler. This article will provide a clear guide on the official rule and, more importantly, the strategy behind when you should pull the pin versus when you should leave it in to help you save strokes and play with more confidence around the greens.

The Simple Answer: The Rule Change That Simplified Golf

Let's get the most important part out of the way first. Under the Rules of Golf updated in 2019, you are now allowed to putt with the flagstick left in the hole, even when your ball is on the putting green. If your ball hits the unattended pin and goes in, it counts. If it hits the pin and stays out, you simply play it from where it comes to rest. There is no penalty in either scenario.

This was a big change. Before 2019, leaving the pin in while putting from the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty. Players everywhere were conditioned to either pull the pin themselves or have a caddie or playing partner "tend" it for them. The new rule was designed to speed up play and remove some of the procedural headaches around the green.

So, the technical answer is easy: you can pretty much always leave it in if you want. But the "when" question has now shifted from a rules issue to a strategic one. Deciding whether the pin helps or hurts your chances of making a putt or chip is now a personal and tactical choice, and that's where a good understanding of strategy can give you an edge.

Pin In or Pin Out? The Strategic Breakdown

As a coach, I see players fall into one of two camps: those who now always leave the pin in, and those who always take it out, purely out of habit. The smart player, however, assesses the situation on every shot. The flagstick can be your best friend or a subtle obstacle depending on the shot you’re facing. Here’s how to decide.

The Case for Leaving the Pin In: Your Backboard and Guide

Thinking of the flagstick as a helpful tool rather than an obstruction is a game-changer for many amateurs. Under the new rule, the pin can provide both a visual and physical advantage in several common situations.

• From Long Range: On a lengthy lag putt of 40, 50, or even 60 feet, the hole can look tiny. Your primary goal is to get the ball into a small "tap-in" circle. Leaving the pin in gives your eyes a bigger, more visible target to focus on. It stands tall and is much easier to lock onto than the small, dark circle of the cup from a distance. This visualization trick can significantly improve your aim and distance control on long putts.
• On Speedy Downhill Putts: This is perhaps the biggest strategic advantage of the new rule. We've all faced those slick, downhill putts where you feel like you just need to breathe on the ball to get it rolling. The fear of tapping it just a little too hard and watching it roll ten feet past the hole is real. With the pin in, you can be slightly more aggressive with your stroke. The flagstick acts as a "backboard," absorbing some of the ball's energy and helping a putt that might have raced by the edge to drop into the hole instead.
• When Chipping or Pitching from Off the Green: For any shot from the fringe, fairway, or rough, leaving the pin in is almost always the right call. Much like with long putts, it gives you a clear target. More importantly, it can stop a well-struck chip shot from running out too far past the hole. A low-running chip shot that catches the pin will often fall straight down into the cup. There’s almost no downside and plenty of potential upside.
• If You Struggle With Pace: If you are someone who constantly leaves putts short, leaving the pin in could be the confidence boost you need. Knowing you have that backstop provides a psychological green light to hit your putts with more conviction, ensuring they have enough speed to get to the hole. Over time, this can help you recalibrate your sense of pace.

The Case for Taking the Pin Out: The Traditional Approach

Despite the advantages, there are still excellent reasons to stick with tradition and pull the pin. For many golfers, especially on shorter putts, a clear and open hole is mentally more appealing and, in some cases, tactically superior.

• On Short Putts (Inside 10 Feet): On short, "must-make" putts, the flagstick can become more of a visual distraction than a help. The hole can appear smaller with what looks like a pole stuck in the middle of it. Removing the pin presents a wide, welcoming target. This is purely a mental preference for many, but the psychology of putting is huge. If you feel more confident looking at an open cup, then take the pin out every time. Confidence leads to a more committed stroke.
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• On Sharply Breaking Putts: If you have a putt with a significant amount of side-to-side break, the ball will be entering the hole from the side, not the front. There's a slight physical chance that a ball rolling slowly into the side of the pin could be deflected or spin out. While physics studies have shown the pin helps more than hurts in a vast majority of cases, if your ball is barely creeping in from the "side door," some players feel more comfortable without an object for it to hit.
• When the Pin is Leaning: Pay attention to the flagstick's position. Sometimes, due to wind or a poorly cut cup, a pin might lean noticeably toward you or away from you. A pin leaning toward you effectively shrinks the front of the hole. A pin leaning away from you can potentially make the hole smaller from the back. If you notice a significant lean that could affect your ball's entry, it's best to pull it.
• On Certain Bunker Shots: While chipping usually benefits from the pin, a high sand shot is a different animal. A ball flying out of a greenside bunker often has a lot of "one-hop and stop" spin. If that soft-landing ball hits a fiberglass pin directly, it could pop straight back or bounce away more dramatically than a rolling putt or chip would. It's often better to have an empty cup to land your high, soft sand shots in.

Flagstick Etiquette: Playing Well with Others

Beyond the rules and strategy, there's a flow to how players handle the flagstick during a round. Understanding this golf etiquette will make you a welcome playing partner in any group and help the game move along smoothly.

Tending the Pin

Even with the new rule, a player may still ask you to "tend" the flagstick for them. This means you hold the pin and remove it once they've struck their putt. To do it correctly:

1. Stand Quietly: Find a spot where your body and shadow are not in the player's line of sight or putting line.
2. Hold the Pin Firmly: Grip the pin so the flag itself doesn’t flutter in the wind, which can be distracting.
3. Wait for the Stroke: Do not lift the pin until after the player has made contact with the ball. Pulling it too early is a major distraction.
4. Lift and Step Away: Once the putt is on its way, lift the pin straight up cleanly and step away from the hole and the path of the ball.

Handling the Pin When It's Out

Never toss or drop the flagstick on the green. The end of the pin can damage the delicate putting surface. The proper way is to gently lay the pin down in the rough just off the edge of the green. Place it in a location where it won’t interfere with anyone’s putt or chip, and make sure it’s not in the line of play for anyone in your group.

Replacing the Pin

The unspoken rule is that the first person in the group to hole out is responsible for grabbing the pin and being ready to place it back in the cup after the last player has finished. This simple act of awareness shows respect for your playing partners and helps keep the pace of play moving for the group behind you. Make sure the pin is seated properly in the cup before heading to the next tee.

Final Thoughts

The decision of "pin in or pin out" has officially moved from a matter of rules to a matter of personal strategy and feel. Understanding when the flagstick can serve as a helpful backstop versus when it might act as a distraction is a subtle but effective way to think smarter on the golf course and give yourself the best chance to make more putts.

This is exactly the kind of on-the-spot decision making we designed Caddie AI to help with. When you’re standing over a slick downhill putt and wondering about the best play, you can get instant, expert-level strategic advice. You can even ask it any rule question, anytime, so you never feel uncertain on the course and can play every shot with total confidence.