Rule Change – Was it Necessary?

Golf is steeped in tradition, but with the growing problem of slow play, the Powers that control our wonderful game have come up with some “new” ideas to speed up play. I want to talk about one of those ideas that for me has done nothing to speed the game up, instead it may have made it even slower.

This rule change in question?

Having the option to leave the flagstick in the hole when putting if you so choose.

Now I am a traditionalist, and I have been blessed with a fine short game, that I have honed to a level that I am more than happy with.

Since I began playing the game, I have felt the same way. The hole is always bigger when the flagstick has been removed. So, I personally advise my clients to think about their decision logically when they are chipping or putting.

Please don´t think for a minute that I am saying you should never leave the flagstick in, but those of you that are putting from just a few feet away, insisting the flag stays in the hole, you are slowing down the game, as the flag gets removed then replaced and then removed and replaced again.

I recount a story I heard just yesterday. A friend of mine was playing in a league that I help to organize, but unfortunately, I am not in a position to take part. Playing as a four-ball they reached the first green and began to putt, obviously in order of the furthest to nearest. The first played putted with the flag in, the second from a similar distance opted for the flag to be removed, the third my friend putted with the flag out, but then the fourth guy required it replacing. He was no more than 6 feet from the hole. He missed and elected not to tap in. Instead standing aside for the other players to finish. This is just ridiculous to my mind and will slow the game down.

I can understand why many people would want to leave the flag in the hole, I mean it is easier to see, aim at, but is it conducive to helping reduce your score, I doubt it, after all the hole area has been reduced and unless you hit the dead centre of the flag stick the ball will not drop down into the hole, instead it will ricochet off.

To be honest the rule for putting with the flagstick in, should have been changed so that if you putted before the flag was attended by your playing partner, then you would not be penalised if your ball struck the flag. This way players would be able to save a little bit of time by putting before their playing partners arrived on the green.

A rule that for me has created more issues than it has solved.