Deciding whether to leave the flagstick in or take it out when you putt is one of the most common questions on the green. For decades, the answer was simple: you took it out. But a major rule change in 2019 opened up a new world of strategic options - and a lot of debate among golfers. This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of leaving the pin in versus taking it out, helping you make the right call to sink more putts.
In 2019, the governing bodies of golf made a significant change to simplify the game and speed up play. The old rule, which penalized a player if their ball, struck from the putting green, hit an unattended flagstick, was removed.
The new rule is simple: You now have the choice to putt with the flagstick in the hole or have it taken out. There is no penalty either way.
This gives every golfer three distinct options on the green:
This change wasn't just about pace of play, it introduced a real strategic element to putting. Knowing when to use each option can directly impact your score.
For many golfers, especially those who adopted the new rule immediately, leaving the pin in has become the default choice. What was once a penalty is now seen as a potential advantage. Here’s why leaving it in can help your putting.
This is the most talked-about benefit. On long, downhill, or extremely fast putts, speed control is everything. Hitting the ball too firmly can send it easily 6-10 feet past the cup, turning a potential two-putt birdie into a frustrating three-putt bogey.
When you leave the flagstick in, it can act as a backstop. A putt that is rolling too fast to drop in an open cup might strike the pin and fall straight down into the hole. Even if it doesn't go in, the pin will absorb much of the ball’s energy, leaving you with a tap-in instead of a treacherous comeback putt. Think of it as a bit of insurance on those lag putts where getting the distance perfect is a tall order.
From 30, 40, or 50 feet away, a four-and-a-quarter-inch hole can look tiny. Your eyes struggle to pick up such a small target. A brightly colored flagstick, however, is a tall, vertical line that your brain can easily lock onto.
Many players find that aiming at the bigger, more visible flagstick helps them narrow their focus and start the ball on a more accurate line. It simplifies the targeting process. Instead of aiming for a general area, you have a distinct focal point. This can lead to more confident strokes and better alignment.
Golf is a mental game, and nothing reveals a golfer’s nerves quite like a short putt. If you struggle with the “yips” or have a tendency to get tense and jerky over a must-make putt, the flagstick can be a psychological life-saver.
The act of removing the pin can sometimes heighten the pressure - now it's just you and a dauntingly small hole. By leaving the flag in, you can change your mindset from “I need to make this putt” to “I just need to hit the stick.” This small mental shift to a larger target can free up your stroke, allowing your arms and hands to relax and move more smoothly through the ball, often with better results.
Despite the benefits of leaving it in, many traditionalists and PGA Tour pros still prefer to see an open cup before they putt. Their reasoning is just as strategically sound.
This is the number one argument against putting with the pin in. While the flagstick can act as a helpful backstop, it can also be a cruel deflector. Today's flagsticks are typically made of fiberglass or a similar composite material. If your putt isn’t hit dead-center at a slow enough speed, the ball can easily catch the side of the pin and ricochet away from the hole.
A well-struck putt that would have dropped in an open cup can be denied by a bad bounce. The risk is especially high on shorter putts where your ball carries more speed as it approaches the hole. For golfers who trust their line and pace, removing the pin eliminates this variable entirely, ensuring a good putt gets the reward it deserves.
On putts inside of 10 feet, confidence is everything. For many golfers, seeing the full width of the hole provides a bigger, more inviting target. The flagstick, in this scenario, can feel like an unnecessary obstacle smack in the middle of your target.
Taking the pin out can make the hole appear larger and more receptive. This gives you the mental green light to hit your putt with commitment, trusting that if you hit your line, the ball has the entire cup to fall into. It’s a visual preference that can translate into tangible confidence.
This is an important strategic consideration. When you have a putt that breaks significantly, you aren't aiming at the hole - you're aiming at your apex, which could be several feet to one side. On a big swinging right-to-left putt, for example, your eyes and attention need to be focused on your intended start line, well to the right of the hole.
In this situation, the flagstick can become a visual distraction. Your brain might involuntarily be drawn to the pin, pulling your aim away from the correct line. By removing the pin, you clear the visual clutter and allow yourself to focus exclusively on the true line of the putt. This allows you to fully commit to playing the break as you read it.
There's a third option that tries to combine the pros of both leaving the pin in and taking it out: having the flagstick tended.
Tending the flag is when a playing partner (or caddie) stands next to the hole, holding the flagstick. They keep it in the hole while you aim and set up, giving you that clear visual target. As soon as you strike the putt and the ball begins rolling, they pull the flagstick out before the ball arrives.
This is a great option for situations like:
It requires a bit of coordination, but it's common practice in tournament play and friendly rounds alike. Just remember the etiquette: the person tending the flag needs to be still, careful not to cast a shadow over the putting line, and quick to remove the flag after the stroke.
There is no universally "correct" answer. The best strategy around the flagstick is the one that gives you the most confidence on a given putt. As a coach, I advise all my students to experiment and find what works for them.
Here’s a simple exercise for your next practice session:
1. Go to the Practice Green: Find a 30-foot putt.
2. Hit 10 Putts with the Flagstick IN: Pay attention to your line and pace. How many do you sink? How close are your misses?
3. Hit 10 Putts with the Flagstick OUT: From the same spot, hit another 10 balls. Did you sink more?
4. Repeat from a Short Distance: Do the same drill from 6 feet. Note how your confidence and stroke change between the two scenarios.
The answer often comes down to the situation. You might find you prefer the flag in for lag putts, but out for short, pressure-packed ones. And that’s a perfect strategy to take to the course.
The 2019 rule change gave golfers a meaningful choice on the green, transforming the flagstick from a hazard into a potential tool. By understanding the advantages of leaving it in for pace control versus taking it out to eliminate bad bounces or distractions, you can make smarter decisions based on the putt you're facing and your own personal comfort.
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