Let's stop the nonsense with the flagstick

[sean_miller]

I like removable flagsticks in general - the (non)issues in the original posts are not shared by many people I'd suggest - if I was still cutting greens, then my opinion would be strongly opposed to a permanent flag.

[jamo]

I don't really see a point. Not allowing the flagstick to be removed will make the game harder, and it makes green reading harder.

[AzGolfGeek]

Actually, it would be more useful to require ball mark training before permitting people to repair them. Responsible players, like forum moderators, should be able to repair a half a dozen per hole -- I do! (Well...would you believe my own plus a few in the vicinity?) Bad repairs do more damage than the ball marks half the time. It's hard to fix a bad repair after a day or so.

I don't know if training would help. Responsible players will alway fix their own plus a few others. There's some people that just don't give a rats a$$ about the course or how their actions effect someone else. You got to just take it all with a grain of salt and not let it upset a beautiful day on the golf course.

[Dr. Strangeclub]

I like removable flagsticks in general - the (non)issues in the original posts are not shared by many people I'd suggest - if I was still cutting greens, then my opinion would be strongly opposed to a permanent flag.

You can unscrew it. You can still actually take it out of the hole, it's just that players aren't allowed to do it.

The other disagreement about all this seems to be that people think it wouldn't save time. How can it not save time? There can be rather a lot of dawdling around with the flagstaff, even in an experienced foursome, players from off the green wanting it taken out and replaced by turns. It's something else that has to be done. Even asking the question, "Want the flag in or out, Doc?" takes up a few seconds, and I've seen single digit handicappers mull the question for minutes on end, especially if there's a team bet. Let's see -- admonish a guy for bad flagstick etiquette, who has just crammed it ruinously back into the hole after missing a short putt. Texas -- the guy shoots you and his foursome throws your body over the OB fence. The DA decides it's justifiable homicide and no criminal charges are filed. The group is fined for littering. New York -- "Hey, Dominick, gimme the phone...Oh, hello Lou, I gotta a little job for your brother..." Georgia -- "Howdy, Reid. Is Sherriff Harley there? Ah, Lane! Got some yankees here givin' us a lotta citified lip on the golf course. Maybe you could keep your eye out for a New York license plate...uh,wait a minute...they tell me it's a rental. I'll get the license when we get in."

[sean_miller]

You can unscrew it.

As opposed to yanking it out as I slowly drive by in the mower or walk by with the push mower? No thanks.

This is my last visit to this thread.

[chrstianrockboy]

I disagree with the OP but do have to admit that i have seen the wind pull a flag stick over and depress the ground around the cup.

[FlappyGilmore]

But then I can't hold the flag next to my groin and pretend a have. 7 foot schlong.

[tefunk]

Flappy - some of us don't need to pretend... Sorry about your luck little man!

[Lihu]

But then I can't hold the flag next to my groin and pretend a have. 7 foot schlong.

I think there's a joke about a man who hit a hole in one in Ireland, and a leprechaun appears out of nowhere granting him any wish....

...then as he got to the gets to the 18th hole he needs to drag it around....

...the pro-shop attendant suggest that he hits a bucket until he gets another hole in one for the leprechaun...

When he finally does it, he asks for longer legs...

You get the idea.

[rkim291968]

Maybe in 20 years, someone will invent hovering flag stick or hologram one that's clearly visible from 500 yards away but doesn't block balls at the base. Until then, flag stick will stay.

Tongue in cheek for those who are humor challenged ... enlarge the cup to quadruple of its current size.   Then, you really don't have to take the flag stick out, and we never have to worry about who is going to pull the flag out, who will put it back, and avoid golf injuries caused by mad golfers using to the stick to attack each other, etc..  Oh, yeah, and golf pace & scores will improve for us all.  Tongue pulled back in.

[Lihu]

Maybe in 20 years, someone will invent hovering flag stick or hologram one that's clearly visible from 500 yards away but doesn't block balls at the base. Until then, flag stick will stay.

Tongue in cheek for those who are humor challenged ... enlarge the cup to quadruple of its current size.   Then, you really don't have to take the flag stick out, and we never have to worry about who is going to pull the flag out, who will put it back, and avoid golf injuries caused by mad golfers using to the stick to attack each other, etc..  Oh, yeah, and golf pace & scores will improve for us all.  Tongue pulled back in.

Or you could put an automatic ejection device into the hole. Pops them up 4 feet in the air.

[MizunoPez]

No thanks OP. There is something extremely satisfying hearing that sound of the ball rolling in the hole when you make a good putt, a sound like no other. Take that away from me and you're taking away a large part of satisfaction of the game. I'm also the guy that takes the flags out on the practice green (providing there is nobody else on there).

[BuckeyeNut]

I have to concur with Zeph's points. The OP is proposing a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

Agreed.....

[rehmwa]

There is something extremely satisfying hearing that sound of the ball rolling in the hole when you make a good putt, a sound like no other. Take that away from me and you're taking away a large part of satisfaction of the game.

I was enjoying the thread as comic relief until this point.  Now I'm serious.  I need to hear that sound.  Best justification of the thread - forget the rules, let's focus on what makes it satisfying and fun to play.

[acerimusdux]

Maybe in 20 years, someone will invent hovering flag stick or hologram one that's clearly visible from 500 yards away but doesn't block balls at the base. Until then, flag stick will stay.

Or we could just replace it with a helium filled ballon secured by a string.

[rehmwa]

Or we could just replace it with a helium filled ballon secured by a string.

Better than a hard wicker basket for sure.  And cheaper than holograms.

[mp33 man]

No thanks OP. There is something extremely satisfying hearing that sound of the ball rolling in the hole when you make a good putt, a sound like no other. Take that away from me and you're taking away a large part of satisfaction of the game. I'm also the guy that takes the flags out on the practice green (providing there is nobody else on there).

While I disagree with he OP I have to say that it is much more satisfying to hear the ball hit the pin and drop in, for that reason I like the pin in (especially on the practice green). I'll admit that I even leave it in when I'm playing alone to save time...

[Nutter]

I propose that the flagstick's sole purpose becomes inflicting physical pain (negative reinforcement) on a playing partner that misses a putt they should have made.

5 whacks for 3 footers, 4 for 4 footers and 3 for 5 footers.