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The Flagstick Etiquette

Ever wonder what the proper protocol is for attending the flagstick for another player. Let’s look at a few simple reminder tips.

1. Remember, it’s the player’s responsibility to make sure the flagstick is either removed or attended when the player is ready to putt.
2. Keep in mind that if when putting on the green a player’s ball hits a flagstick that is still in the hole or hits the player attending the flagstick, the player incurs a 2 stroke penalty or loss of hole if in a match play situation.
3. Never stand on the putting lines of any of the players in the group when attending the flagstick.
4. Your goal is to eliminate your shadow from the player’s putting line. You want your shadow to fall away from the putting line.
5. How to hold the flagstick…always hold the flag and stick together to eliminate any rippling of fabric in the wind. Attend the flagstick by standing an arm’s length from the hole.
6. After the player has hit their putting stroke, remove the flagstick from the hole before the ball reaches the hole.
7. If the flagstick is not needs for any of the players, place it on the ground until all players have holed out. Check the placement of the flagstick on the ground so that it is not positioned directly behind the hole or create a potential for a player’s ball to strike the flagstick.
8. Never move the flagstick while the ball is in motion from a player’s stroke, even if you are trying to prevent a player’s ball from hitting the flagstick. This will result in a 2 stroke penalty or loss of the hole if in a match play situation.