Why Are Golfers Leaving the Flag In?

You've probably noticed more and more golfers putting with the flagstick still in the hole and wondered why the sudden change. This isn't just a random trend, it's a strategic shift that started with a significant rule update. This guide will walk you through exactly why players are leaving the pin in, covering the rule change, the science behind it, and the practical advantages it offers on the course.

The 2019 Rule Change That Started It All

For decades, hitting the flagstick with your putt from on the green resulted in a two-stroke penalty (or loss of hole in match play). It was one of golf's unforgiving rules, forcing golfers to have the pin tended or removed for every putt, no matter how short or long.

Everything changed on January 1, 2019. The USGA and R&A, golf's governing bodies, modernized the Rules of Golf to make them simpler and to help speed up play. One of the most significant updates was to Rule 13.2a, which now allows golfers to putt with the flagstick in the hole without penalty.

Specifically, the rule states:

• If you make a stroke from on the putting green and your ball hits the flagstick in the hole, there is no penalty.
• The ball is holed if it comes to rest in the hole after hitting the flagstick.

This simple change immediately opened the door for players at every level, from weekend amateurs to Tour professionals, to rethink their on-green strategy. Instead of being a mandatory action, removing the pin became a choice.

The Science: Does the Flagstick Help or Hurt Your Putts?

Once putting with the flagstick in became legal, the big question became: Is it actually better? While golf's biggest names like Bryson DeChambeau quickly advocated for leaving it in - citing physics - the debate is still active. The truth is, it can both help and hurt, depending on the situation.

The "Backstop" Theory

The primary argument for leaving the flagstick in is that it can act as a "backstop." This is especially true for putts that are rolling a little too fast. The idea is that a ball that might have caught the edge of the hole and lipped out, or rolled well past, will instead be softened or redirected by the pin.

Consider a putt moving with too much pace. If the ball hits the flagstick dead-on, the pin will absorb some of the energy, helping the ball drop into the cup. If the ball is slightly off-center, the pin can still prevent it from lipping out at speed. Tests and personal anecdotes suggest that the flagstick increases the effective "capture width" of the hole on overly firm putts.

Modern flagsticks, typically made from fiberglass, are designed to flex. This property helps cradle the ball on impact rather than causing a violent ricochet, which was more common with older, thicker metal flagsticks.

The "Ricochet" Risk

On the other hand, there’s a risk that the flagstick can cause your ball to bounce away from the hole when it might have dropped otherwise. This is the biggest fear for golfers who prefer taking the pin out.

This negative bouncy-outy effect tends to happen under specific circumstances:

• Slower Putts: A perfectly paced putt dying at the hole has the highest chance of dropping. If a slow-moving ball glances off the flagstick, it might not have enough momentum to fall in and could be deflected away. Without the pin, that same ball would have simplygravity to fall into the cup.
• Off-Center Hits: If your putt strikes the flagstick at an oblique angle, especially with too much speed, the geometry works against you. The ball is more likely to cannon off the pin and spin out of the hole, leaving you with a frustratingly long come-backer.

So, what's the verdict? For most golfers, the "backstop" advantage on downhill or fast putts likely outweighs the "ricochet" risk on slower putts. The backstopping effect "saves" more overly aggressive putts from running too far by than it costs golfers on perfekctly-weights approaches.

Speeding Up the Game: The Pace of Play Advantage

Beyond the physics, one of the main goals of the 2019 rule change was to improve pace of play, and leaving the flagstick in does just that. Think about the old routine:

1. Your playing partner with the longest putt asks someone to tend the pin.
2. That person walks over to the pin and holds it.
3. After the putt is struck, they pull the pin and set it down away from the putting line.
4. Once everyone has putted, someone walks over, picks up the pin, and places it back in the hole.

Leaving the pin in eliminates this entire time-consuming chipping ritual. As soon as you arrive at the green, you can start lining up your putt. There’s no waiting or communication required about who is tending the pin. You simply putt, and the next person goes. This trims precious seconds off every hole, which can add up to 10-15 minutes saved over an entire round for a foursome.

Strategic and Psychological Benefits of Leaving It In

The flagstick isn't just a physical object in the hole, it's a powerful tool for your brain and your pre-shot routine.

It's a Better Visual Target

For many golfers, the tall, brightly colored flagstick provides a much more compelling and clear target than a small, 4.25-inch hole cut into the green from a distance. 特に on long putts of 40 feet or more, focusing on the hole itself can be difficult. The flagstick gives your eyes - and your mind - a precise and easy-to-see aiming point. This can improve your alignment and make you feel more committed to your line.

It Helps You Gauge the Break

While you should never fully rely on it, the way a flagstick leans can sometimes give you a subtle clue about the overall slope around the hole. If you see the pin leaning slightly to the right, it may confirm your read that the ground is falling in that direction. It’s an extra piece of information that can add confidence to your putt.

Reduced Mental Clutter

For some, leaving the flag in just simplifies the mental process. You don't have to think about removing the pin or worry about where to place it. You just step up, aim, and go. By reducing the number of variables, you can free up mental energy to focus on what matters most: speed and line.

When Should You Still Take the Flag Out?

Despite all the benefits, there’s no absolute rule that says you must leave the flagstick in. There are still great reasons to pull it, and the best players weigh their options on a case-by-case basis.

• On Windy Days: A flag fluttering wildly in the wind can be incredibly distracting when you're trying to concentrate over a putt. In this case, removing it eliminates a major source of visual noise.
• A Severely Leaning Flagstick: If the pin is leaning heavily toward you or away from you, it can create a bit of an optical illusion and might distort your perception of the hole. Sometimes, a clean view is a better view.
• Very Short Putts: On "tap-in" putts of a foot or two, the pin can feel more like an obstacle than a help. Most golfers will just pull the pin, or have a playing partner do it, for these very short finishers to ensure a clean path to the cup.
• Player's Habit and Comfort: In the end, comfort and confidence are what really mattes. Some golfers have been playing for decards and the act of removing the pin is just an engrained part of their routine. They focus better on a naked, open hole! And if that's what makes them hole more putts... who's gunna argue with results!

Final Thoughts

Essentially, the 2019 rule change gave every golfer a strategic choice on the putting green. Opting to leave the flagstick in is now a popular decision based on the combined benefits of improving pace of play, using the pin as a backstop for aggressive putts, and leveraging it as a clear visual aid for aiming.

Deciding on the flagstick is just one of many small strategic choices you can make during a round. To help you navigate all the others - from club recommendations on a tough par-3 to the best shots to escape trouble - we made Caddie AI. Our app provides on-demand, expert-level advice on the course, so you can make smarter decisions, play with confidence, and start to lower your scores as the guesswork of how to play the game better is simply taken off your shoulders.