Am I asking too much of my playing partners?

AirFed LowIndex
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I'm a fast player. I don't dawdle, and after putting out, I usually beat folks to the cart or next hole. When on the putting green and during my putting 'I request from my playing partners to leave the flagstick on the ground until I'm finished putting' and I don't pick it up until we're all finished and ready to move to the next tee. When I leave it on the ground, I leave it in a position that if a ball were to hit it, you were aiming away from the line to the hole. I also offer that if they want, I can be the person replacing the flagstick. Some ignore my request (habit or arrogance) and some honor it. My reasoning is that with the flagstick on the ground it won't disturb the person putting by: falling, rattling, flag blowing, or (my realization) create a false angle disturbing my read of the putt. Maybe I should just give this up because, it bothers me that players don’t respect my simple, sincere request. I feel that I honor theirs Am I asking too much?
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 1 11/22/2014 8:53:53 PM
You might be. If I'm one of the first to finish the hole, I'll keep the stick in my hand but stand far enough away where it's not a visible distraction, and hold the flag so that it won't get blown around. I do that just to speed things up a little, even if it's only 5 seconds. No one else has to deal with it and like I said, spares a few seconds of dull time for somebody.
HIGH_LANDER Legend
# 2 11/23/2014 7:36:50 AM
I, don't think your asking too much. Why mot place the flag stick off the green onto the fringe. That way it's not close to the hole or the person trying to putt. Out of view, Out of Sight. Make the Putt.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 3 11/23/2014 10:30:12 AM
!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick.
Mongo68 Legend
# 4 11/23/2014 11:12:30 AM
!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick. I agree with CoG and Don
JayPet Legend
# 5 11/23/2014 11:32:21 AM
!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick. This should be basic stuff. Don is correct and I would hope that this kind of etiquette is Universal. Play ready golf, be courteous, know what to do during a round, and teach it to others. "Hey Don, since you putted out, do you mind grabbing the flag while COG putts??" By the 3rd or 4th hole, that should be the directive to keep play moving and to teach courtesy if it hasn't already been automatic. Pretty simple stuff. Be encouraging to people who make good shots and putts too!
Mark Simmons Legend
# 6 11/23/2014 5:43:31 PM
Matt, the objectives you are trying to achieve are laudable and expected. Where you may be going awry is you seem to be dictating HOW those objectives are to be accomplished. As per Ethan, Don and Daniel's posts, there are other ways to achieve the desired results of not disturbing those putting.
Pappy82nd Professional Champion
# 7 11/23/2014 7:46:10 PM
I can go either way, just leave it on the ground until all are done putting or as Don indicated the first one to putt out pick it up and get out of the way holding one hand over the flag. I don't think anyone should sweat it either way. My friends and I do it both ways during a round depending on speed of play by those in front of us.
tothetop777 Legend
# 8 11/23/2014 8:26:23 PM
Too each his own....Does a flipping flag distract one that much to not be able to concentrate on their putting? Hmmm... Or someone holding the flag? Double hmmm... I will be bold and say yes it is a bit too much. It is about as bad as someone standing behind one when teeing off and having that person say "your in my peripheral, can you please move". It is incredible what bugs one person to another. Talk, rip your pants, play the radio, adjust your jock strap, whatever....I am not focused on you or anything else but what I am doing. The US Open is played by the big boys. Most of us are out having a good time. Don't let the little crap ruin a good day.
Dandy Professional Champion
# 9 11/23/2014 8:34:19 PM
Too each his own....Does a flipping flag distract one that much to not be able to concentrate on their putting? Hmmm... Or someone holding the flag? Double hmmm... I will be bold and say yes it is a bit too much. It is about as bad as someone standing behind one when teeing off and having that person say "your in my peripheral, can you please move". It is incredible what bugs one person to another. Talk, rip your pants, play the radio, adjust your jock strap, whatever....I am not focused on you or anything else but what I am doing. The US Open is played by the big boys. Most of us are out having a good time. Don't let the little crap ruin a good day. Amen brother!
ArizonaBlue Professional Champion
# 10 11/23/2014 10:05:45 PM
I play with AirFed on occasion and respect his request to leave the flag down until he is done putting. Otherwise, if I am the first one done, I usually will pick up the flagstick (making so to keep the flag from flapping if there is any wind) and put it in the hole after everyone is done. Either way, it's just a matter of an extra few seconds by leaving it one the ground ... no big deal either way.
NormanLangJr Professional Champion
# 11 11/24/2014 8:13:14 AM
!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick. Ditto.
HOGAN418 Professional Champion
# 12 11/24/2014 8:49:43 AM
I think the real problem is that some people don't know what the real etiquette should be.. You just want the pin left alone so that it won't bother you or other people and be a distraction. That is a valid response. What I do is that I pull the pin, take it totally off the green then lay it down. That way, it's out of everyone's way, not harming the green, and either I put it back or the first person putt out puts it back. I hate it when someone throws the pin down.. and makes that "pole rattle noise".. first off, the newer poles have those laser sites or GPS things and could damage them. Secondly, why be a d&&k??? Just lay it down gently. It disrupts everyone's concentration.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 13 11/24/2014 9:34:08 AM
except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day.
HOGAN418 Professional Champion
# 14 11/24/2014 9:40:01 AM
except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day. You may not be doing it right, Don.. Are you shaking AND singing a rap song??? Flag waving in and of itself is not considered distracting unless bad music or dance moves are involved..
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 15 11/24/2014 11:35:35 AM
except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day. You may not be doing it right, Don.. Are you shaking AND singing a rap song??? Flag waving in and of itself is not considered distracting unless bad music or dance moves are involved.. you mean like doing the huck-a-buck while waving the flag over the cup?

AirFed

LowIndex

Go to Last Reply

352 Views 24 Replies 2 Likes

I'm a fast player. I don't dawdle, and after putting out, I usually beat folks to the cart or next hole.

When on the putting green and during my putting 'I request from my playing partners to leave the flagstick on the ground until I'm finished putting' and I don't pick it up until we're all finished and ready to move to the next tee. When I leave it on the ground, I leave it in a position that if a ball were to hit it, you were aiming away from the line to the hole. I also offer that if they want, I can be the person replacing the flagstick.

Some ignore my request (habit or arrogance) and some honor it.

My reasoning is that with the flagstick on the ground it won't disturb the person putting by: falling, rattling, flag blowing, or (my realization) create a false angle disturbing my read of the putt.

Maybe I should just give this up because, it bothers me that players don’t respect my simple, sincere request. I feel that I honor theirs

Am I asking too much?

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 1 11/22/2014 8:53:53 PM

You might be. If I'm one of the first to finish the hole, I'll keep the stick in my hand but stand far enough away where it's not a visible distraction, and hold the flag so that it won't get blown around. I do that just to speed things up a little, even if it's only 5 seconds. No one else has to deal with it and like I said, spares a few seconds of dull time for somebody.

HIGH_LANDER

Legend

# 2 11/23/2014 7:36:50 AM

I, don't think your asking too much. Why mot place the flag stick off the green onto the fringe. That way it's not close to the hole or the person trying to putt. Out of view, Out of Sight.
Make the Putt.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 3 11/23/2014 10:30:12 AM

!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick.

Mongo68

Legend

# 4 11/23/2014 11:12:30 AM

!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick.

I agree with CoG and Don

JayPet

Legend

# 5 11/23/2014 11:32:21 AM

!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick.

This should be basic stuff. Don is correct and I would hope that this kind of etiquette is Universal. Play ready golf, be courteous, know what to do during a round, and teach it to others.

"Hey Don, since you putted out, do you mind grabbing the flag while COG putts??" By the 3rd or 4th hole, that should be the directive to keep play moving and to teach courtesy if it hasn't already been automatic. Pretty simple stuff. Be encouraging to people who make good shots and putts too!

Mark Simmons

Legend

# 6 11/23/2014 5:43:31 PM

Matt, the objectives you are trying to achieve are laudable and expected. Where you may be going awry is you seem to be dictating HOW those objectives are to be accomplished. As per Ethan, Don and Daniel's posts, there are other ways to achieve the desired results of not disturbing those putting.

Pappy82nd

Professional Champion

# 7 11/23/2014 7:46:10 PM

I can go either way, just leave it on the ground until all are done putting or as Don indicated the first one to putt out pick it up and get out of the way holding one hand over the flag. I don't think anyone should sweat it either way. My friends and I do it both ways during a round depending on speed of play by those in front of us.

tothetop777

Legend

# 8 11/23/2014 8:26:23 PM

Too each his own....Does a flipping flag distract one that much to not be able to concentrate on their putting? Hmmm... Or someone holding the flag? Double hmmm... I will be bold and say yes it is a bit too much. It is about as bad as someone standing behind one when teeing off and having that person say "your in my peripheral, can you please move". It is incredible what bugs one person to another. Talk, rip your pants, play the radio, adjust your jock strap, whatever....I am not focused on you or anything else but what I am doing. The US Open is played by the big boys. Most of us are out having a good time. Don't let the little crap ruin a good day.

Dandy

Professional Champion

# 9 11/23/2014 8:34:19 PM

Too each his own....Does a flipping flag distract one that much to not be able to concentrate on their putting? Hmmm... Or someone holding the flag? Double hmmm... I will be bold and say yes it is a bit too much. It is about as bad as someone standing behind one when teeing off and having that person say "your in my peripheral, can you please move". It is incredible what bugs one person to another. Talk, rip your pants, play the radio, adjust your jock strap, whatever....I am not focused on you or anything else but what I am doing. The US Open is played by the big boys. Most of us are out having a good time. Don't let the little crap ruin a good day.

Amen brother!

ArizonaBlue

Professional Champion

# 10 11/23/2014 10:05:45 PM

I play with AirFed on occasion and respect his request to leave the flag down until he is done putting. Otherwise, if I am the first one done, I usually will pick up the flagstick (making so to keep the flag from flapping if there is any wind) and put it in the hole after everyone is done. Either way, it's just a matter of an extra few seconds by leaving it one the ground ... no big deal either way.

NormanLangJr

Professional Champion

# 11 11/24/2014 8:13:14 AM

!st person to putt out should pick up the flag stick. Slide your hand down the flag to stop it from blowing. then stand out of the visual line of the next person putting. It may be necessary to keep moving around the green as necessary to stay out of each players visual line until all players have finished. Then replace the flag stick.

Ditto.

HOGAN418

Professional Champion

# 12 11/24/2014 8:49:43 AM

I think the real problem is that some people don't know what the real etiquette should be.. You just want the pin left alone so that it won't bother you or other people and be a distraction. That is a valid response.

What I do is that I pull the pin, take it totally off the green then lay it down. That way, it's out of everyone's way, not harming the green, and either I put it back or the first person putt out puts it back.

I hate it when someone throws the pin down.. and makes that "pole rattle noise".. first off, the newer poles have those laser sites or GPS things and could damage them. Secondly, why be a d&&k??? Just lay it down gently. It disrupts everyone's concentration.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 13 11/24/2014 9:34:08 AM

except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day.

HOGAN418

Professional Champion

# 14 11/24/2014 9:40:01 AM

except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day.

You may not be doing it right, Don.. Are you shaking AND singing a rap song??? Flag waving in and of itself is not considered distracting unless bad music or dance moves are involved..

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 15 11/24/2014 11:35:35 AM

except when Jay is putting. I like to stand so the sun casts a shadow across his putting line. then wave the flag back and forth creating a carnival like atmosphere across his line. But Jay has nerves of steel and has never 3 putted to this day.

You may not be doing it right, Don.. Are you shaking AND singing a rap song??? Flag waving in and of itself is not considered distracting unless bad music or dance moves are involved..

you mean like doing the huck-a-buck while waving the flag over the cup?

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