Tending the pin- style

**THException** · June 21, 2015

Does anyone else find it odd that caddies on tour leave the stick in the cup while the ball is rolling towards it? They decide to pull the pin at almost the last one or two seconds.

It seems to me like its just a style thing, kinda for show. I'm not going to lie, it especially looks cool if the putt rolls in.

But still, I can't help but think to myself, just pull the thing out! This habit seems contrived and vain.

**saevel25** · June 21, 2015

Does anyone else find it odd that caddies on tour leave the stick in the cup while the ball is rolling towards it? They decide to pull the pin at almost the last one or two seconds.

It seems to me like its just a style thing, kinda for show. I'm not going to lie, it especially looks cool if the putt rolls in.

But still, I can't help but think to myself, just pull the thing out! This habit seems contrived and vain.

It might be a TV thing. Easier to see where the hole is at with the pin there.

When I tend the flag I only pull it out when there is a good possibility it will go in.

**DutchGolf** · June 21, 2015

Yes I also noticed this, it can be risky if the flags sticks in its holder or something. At our local course I once pulled the flag out and the cup suddenly also came out a bit, luckily my mate did not hit the hole otherwise it would not have dropped but hit the cup ;)

**mvmac** · June 21, 2015

Does anyone else find it odd that caddies on tour leave the stick in the cup while the ball is rolling towards it? They decide to pull the pin at almost the last one or two seconds.

It seems to me like its just a style thing, kinda for show. I'm not going to lie, it especially looks cool if the putt rolls in.

But still, I can't help but think to myself, just pull the thing out! This habit seems contrived and vain.

I do the same thing, don't take it out until the ball gets close but I loosen it first so it doesn't get stuck.

**Ernest Jones** · June 21, 2015

I do the same thing, don't take it out until the ball gets close but I loosen it first so it doesn't get stuck.

Same. I pull it out and then just put the tip in because I'm paranoid it'll jam when I try to pull it out.

**DrvFrShow** · June 21, 2015

I do the same thing and I always make sure that my shadow does not cast onto the hole. You would be surprised how many people don't look.

**WUTiger** · June 21, 2015

It might be a TV thing. Easier to see where the hole is at with the pin there.

When I tend the flag I only pull it out when there is a good possibility it will go in.

When you're tending the pin, it's best to partially take it out - loosen it - to make sure it will come out. Sometimes a little mud + sand will "glue" the flagstick tip into the bottom of the cup. Make sure it's loose before the person hits the putt.

If the person tending the flag moves right away, it can be distracting to the person who just hit the putt, and is trying to track it. Tracking helps you line up the clean-up putt.

Rules and advice for tending pins came with caddie training and several years experience. Unfortunately, these days not many courses have caddies any more.

Do juniors and high school golfers get training in tending pins? I really don't know.

**Golfingdad** · June 21, 2015

Does anyone else find it odd that caddies on tour leave the stick in the cup while the ball is rolling towards it? They decide to pull the pin at almost the last one or two seconds. It seems to me like its just a style thing, kinda for show. I'm not going to lie, it especially looks cool if the putt rolls in. But still, I can't help but think to myself, just pull the thing out! This habit seems contrived and vain.

Yes, but my first thought was the same as Matts - maybe it's a TV request or something. If I'm tending, and I know they are the last person that needs it, the second it comes off the putter face I pull it out and put it aside and go get ready for my putt.

**CraiginKSA** · June 22, 2015

I don't like the leave-it-in-'til-the-last-second trick. Seems a little too "look at me! I'm a caddy!" If i'm tending, i pull it as soon as the putt is struck.

**David in FL** · June 22, 2015

I look at it from my perspective when il the guy putting.... If I'm having the pin tended, it's because I don't have a real good feel for the exact location of the hole. When I hit a putt, if I miss, I want to watch carefully what the ball is doing around the hole to help with my next putt. Leaving the pin in for as long as possible gives me a much better perspective of where the ball is in relation to the hole and how it's breaking around the hole.

**Gunther** · June 22, 2015

Yes, but my first thought was the same as Matts - maybe it's a TV request or something. If I'm tending, and I know they are the last person that needs it, the second it comes off the putter face I pull it out and put it aside and go get ready for my putt.

Exactly what I do. [quote name="David in FL" url="/t/82757/tending-the-pin-style/0_40#post_1159020"]I look at it from my perspective when il the guy putting.... If I'm having the pin tended, it's because I don't have a real good feel for the exact location of the hole. When I hit a putt, if I miss, I want to watch carefully what the ball is doing around the hole to help with my next putt. Leaving the pin in for as long as possible gives me a much better perspective of where the ball is in relation to the hole and how it's breaking around the hole.[/quote]Never considered this, no one I play with, nor am I, that analytical but this probably explains why the Pro caddies leave it in so long.

**turtleback** · June 22, 2015

I do the same thing and I always make sure that my shadow does not cast onto the hole. You would be surprised how many people don't look.

I was also taught to hold the flag portion, on days with wind, to prevent it from flapping while the putt is being stroked.

**NJpatbee** · June 22, 2015

I always have the pin loose while I tend it having a similar experience trying to pull it out and it gets stuck. I also hold the flag and pull the pin out shortly after the putt is struck.

**rehmwa** · June 22, 2015

I pull the base loose from the cup

Hold the flag down

Stand on the side where my shadow doesn't cross the line of putt

Other hand is hidden behind

I try to hold the flag vertical and not slanty despite the factor I have the base loosened

I stand still until the putt is well on the way

For Pros, I suspect holding it to the very end is to eliminate the distraction of a body moving while the putt is rolling - these guys watch the putt all the way to get more input to the way the ball is rolling.

I really doubt a caddie is grandstanding to show off his Xtreme mad Skilz in flag tending......(seriously you guys? Sometimes I'm amazed at how sensitive and easily irritable some golfers can be)

**MrFlipper** · June 22, 2015

I pull the base loose from the cup
Hold the flag down
Stand on the side where my shadow doesn't cross the line of putt
Other hand is hidden behind
I try to hold the flag vertical and not slanty despite the factor I have the base loosened
I stand still until the putt is well on the way

For Pros, I suspect holding it to the very end is to eliminate the distraction of a body moving while the putt is rolling - these guys watch the putt all the way to get more input to the way the ball is rolling.

I really doubt a caddie is grandstanding to show off his Xtreme mad Skilz in flag tending......(seriously you guys? Sometimes I'm amazed at how sensitive and easily irritable some golfers can be)

We must have gone to the same caddie school. Only thing I would add is that you stand to the high side of the putt (as long as your shadow doesn't cross the line of the putt) so your player can aim at your feet or something to help their line.

You are the only one I've noticed who mentioned to put your other hand behind your back. I was taught that way too, and any towels or clubs your are holding should be vertical behind your back so your player can't see them sticking out from the profile of your body.

Being a good caddie is serious business. I'm amazed how this forum has a lot of members who tend to look down on caddies and think them inconsequential and without worth.

Riding in carts all the time makes it impossible to appreciate what a good caddie can do for your game, not just in score but in enjoying the experience. Golf is a walking game that is supposed to have a physical conditioning side to it. Carts just take so many parts of the game away.

**rehmwa** · June 22, 2015

You are the only one I've noticed who mentioned to put your other hand behind your back. I was taught that way too, and any towels or clubs your are holding should be vertical behind your back so your player can't see them sticking out from the profile of your body.

Well, I'm normally holding my putter and the other guy doesn't need the distraction of me trying to find a place to hold it or if it's swinging around, etc.....

***iacas*** · June 22, 2015

Yes, but my first thought was the same as Matts - maybe it's a TV request or something. If I'm tending, and I know they are the last person that needs it, the second it comes off the putter face I pull it out and put it aside and go get ready for my putt.

It's not a TV request. The caddies will do what is best for their player, not worry about TV.

**turtleback** · June 24, 2015

We must have gone to the same caddie school. Only thing I would add is that you stand to the high side of the putt (as long as your shadow doesn't cross the line of the putt) so your player can aim at your feet or something to help their line.

You are the only one I've noticed who mentioned to put your other hand behind your back. I was taught that way too, and any towels or clubs your are holding should be vertical behind your back so your player can't see them sticking out from the profile of your body.

Being a good caddie is serious business. I'm amazed how this forum has a lot of members who tend to look down on caddies and think them inconsequential and without worth.

Riding in carts all the time makes it impossible to appreciate what a good caddie can do for your game, not just in score but in enjoying the experience. Golf is a walking game that is supposed to have a physical conditioning side to it. Carts just take so many parts of the game away.

I'd be very careful about how this is done and how it is spoken of.

8-2b/2

Caddie Attending Flagstick Advises Player to Aim at His Foot

Q.A player's ball lies on the putting green and his caddie attends the flagstick for him. The caddie suggests, before the stroke, that the player aim at the caddie's left foot. Is the player in breach of Rule 8-2b?

A.If the caddie had placed his foot in position for the purpose of pointing out the line for putting, the player was in breach of Rule 8-2b as soon as the caddie placed his foot in that position. The breach could not be corrected by the caddie subsequently moving his foot.

If the caddie did not initially place his foot in such a position for the purpose of pointing out the line for putting but subsequently suggested the player aim at his left foot, the player would be in breach of Rule 8-2b if the caddie did not move that foot to another position that does not indicate a line for putting prior to the stroke.

The same answer would apply if a player's partner attends the flagstick for him.

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