[Golfer222]

I noticed most people playing here leave the flag in while putting- Is this a villages rule?

[stanley]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

I noticed most people playing here leave the flag in while putting- Is this a villages rule?

No. USGA Rule makes pulling the pin optional.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Golfer222

I noticed most people playing here leave the flag in while putting- Is this a villages rule?

No. Under the USGA rules of golf, you can leave it in, take it out, or have it tended (as long as the person tending it removes it before the ball hits it). Prior to 3 years ago, you had to remove it when playing a shot from the green (otherwise you would incur a penalty if you hit it). But since the rule change, there is no penalty for hitting the flagstick with your ball. (also no penalty for hitting yourself, your caddy, your partner nor their caddy, or either of your equipment, unless placed intentionally to help the player).

As far as The Villages goes, I think most people have left it in starting with COVID restrictions when there was a pipe placed in the cup and you weren't allowed to remove the flagstick. Or, like Adam Scott, they prefer it in. Or, they are just plain lazy. I'd be willing to bet that the players who are allergic to the rakes in the sand traps and think the plastic bottle on their cart is for cocktails probably leave it in

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

... and think the plastic bottle on their cart is for cocktails probably leave it in

Wait, it isn't? You mean the urinal thing filled with sand?

I tend to pull the pin or have it tendered since I have been robbed of birdie putts by the ball bouncing off the pin staff.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

No. Under the USGA rules of golf, you can leave it in, take it out, or have it tended (as long as the person tending it removes it before the ball hits it). Prior to 3 years ago, you had to remove it when playing a shot from the green (otherwise you would incur a penalty if you hit it). But since the rule change, there is no penalty for hitting the flagstick with your ball. (also no penalty for hitting yourself, your caddy, your partner nor their caddy, or either of your equipment, unless placed intentionally to help the player).

As far as The Villages goes, I think most people have left it in starting with COVID restrictions when there was a pipe placed in the cup and you weren't allowed to remove the flagstick. Or, like Adam Scott, they prefer it in. Or, they are just plain lazy. I'd be willing to bet that the players who are allergic to the rakes in the sand traps and think the plastic bottle on their cart is for cocktails probably leave it in

[Babubhat]

People have been taking out of the hole for more than a century. No reason to start now. Most of the time it’s not in straight anyway

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Wait, it isn't? You mean the urinal thing filled with sand?

LOL, I don't play golf so when we first moved here looking at golf carts that is exactly what I thought it was !!

[Bay Kid]

The pin in or out is a matter of taste. I just wish people wouldn't use their putter to retrieve their ball. Hole destruction, it is like they will never be back.

[I'm Popeye!]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

The pin in or out is a matter of taste. I just wish people wouldn't use their putter to retrieve their ball. Hole destruction, it is like they will never be back.

Exactly, they use a device at the end of their putter to remove the ball from the cup while the flag stick is still in, causing the rim of the cup to crumble down.

[Two Bills]

I have always exceeded the number of shots allowed and picked ball up before reaching green.
Never tried this putting lark yet, although I did reach the sand thingy in front of one green.
I thought the wooden rake was a nice gesture to retrieve the ball though!

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

The pin in or out is a matter of taste. I just wish people wouldn't use their putter to retrieve their ball. Hole destruction, it is like they will never be back.

Amen to that.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Prior to 3 years ago, you had to remove it when playing a shot from the green

In 1962, there was no penalty if we hit the flagstick when putting. If you ever watch old golf videos, you can see times when a player would putt with the flagstick in.

I'm glad they have the new rule to not penalize players for hitting the flagstick when putting.

OK, I found a video of a match between Bob Goalby and Sam Snead. At the 33:09 spot, you see Snead putting with the flagstick in the hole

Snead vs Goalby at Philadelphia Country Club - YouTube

[MSchad]

Pins were pulled more often pre covid. Then everywhere put inserts in the cup and said don’t touch the pins and leave them in. I think people just got used to not pulling them.

[tvbound]

For those interested in the major rules changes that took effect in 2019.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/ho...r-changes.html

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by MSchad

Pins were pulled more often pre covid. Then everywhere put inserts in the cup and said don’t touch the pins and leave them in. I think people just got used to not pulling them.

USGA Changed rules prior to Covid and rule is that a player can leave flag stick in.

Nothing to do with Covid.