Maybe Cal Poly needs to FUND a deeper study. I should offer to help Cal Poly do the analysis based on real play situations on all the courses on the Monterey Peninsula. Anyone want to join me?

I completely agree and feel that having the flag in holds a distinct advantage as well as center aiming point for shorter putts. It give you the confidence to take the break out of a 4 footer and drill it in the middle.

Interesting...Thanks for sharing!

Like a bulls eye in a target. I definitely leave it in for long putts. The way I have been putting lately, anything helps. I have always putted with the intent of mine dying in the hole. Have heard theories about the types of greens and speeds of the greens. Guess it all goes back to a matter of choices, Freddy. I say, if it helps, do it. Three things that do help putting in order of priority. 1. Practice. 2. Practice. 3. Practice. Cheers, y'll.

Since most practice putting greens have some sort of flag stick in the holes, I think the visual most of us get (seeing a flagstick coming up out of the hole) will result in a little more confidence on the course if you're putting with it in. Personally, I haven't decided on a specific pattern just yet, but I can say I really do like it in for longer putts (no more tending of the pin by someone else).

Interesting, yip I think it helps with the flag in.

El B
What a word for your spellchecker to have selected...
Never heard of anyone getting the yips in writing before!
JT

I love the new rule. Especially down hill putts. I can see it speeding up play as well.
Play Well,
Steve S.

Played Tuesday with blokes I've known for many years.
There was utter confusion over the flag - was it "tilted" towards the player? should it come out? should it stay in?...
In the end it must have taken more time than normal just deliberating about the bloomin' flag!!
Not convinced that we have worked out just what the best course of action is at this point in time...
Hopefully, it will come good in time.
JT

I have seen the same during the past couple of weekends. I’m not sure yet, but I like the pin out. Maybe time will change that. Time will tell...

I'm all for the flag in with short or longer putts...So far have not had any kick out.

In it's the future.

I leave the flag in on long puts or when I've blown up on the hole and don't really care anymore lol. I guess my thought being that it doesn't matter anymore so why waste my time pulling the flag. But, I do pull the flag most of the time.

I play alone often and have been leaving the flag in for years. I love it.

Over and under on how long the debate goes on........................? At least until the USGA changes it again, or even the guardians of the game at Augusta, making a local rule not allowing it. Kind of like "...........Tastes great!............Less filling!..........." Maybe it will never end.

Our group leaves the flag in most of the time on putts greater than three feet.

Out for me!

I think inside 10 feet - take the flag out, otherwise keep it in.

It is an advantage to leave it in.

1. The stick is Center of the cup aiming point and focus.
2. A Backstop on down hill putts.
3. Horseshoe rim out putts might graze the stick and go inwards.
4. Better buffer against hard putts than hitting the plastic cup. The stick has more flexibility and less rebound effect, resulting in shorter putts.
5. Empirical proof: Physical attraction of mass between bodies results in putts being pulled towards the stick, just like the moon is attracted to the Earth.

You're welcome!

Depends on the putt. On long or extreme downhill putts I would leave it in. Other than that, out for me.

I just played 27 holes on vacation this week in Florida. I played alone and left the flag in for speed and convenience, but also to see if Dave Pelz’s theory in the January Golf Magazine issue was true. I took note about how the flag affected my putts and, without question, leaving it in helped on the course’s speedy greens. I noticed that the stick actually killed the momentum of the ball and helped it fall into the hole. It’s exactly what Pelz wrote about (www.golf.com/.../dave-plez-putt-with-the-flagstick-in-rule-change-2018).

At the very least, it’s worth trying it if you’re skeptical. I know I’m going to leave it in unless I conclusively see that it’s hurting me.

Interesting study for sure. I personally dont know anyone I play with that putts with that kind of speed. It would be interesting to see the data with 1 to 1.5 speed. I'm more of a die putter myself so I think I'll be leaving the pin in for now.