Damage to cups

[BMac0223]

I've been noticing more and more damage done to the cups as the week goes on. At first I chalked it up to idiots missing the cup putting the flag back in but some fellow golfers attribute it to the old guys using their putter heads to lift balls out of the cup. I now think this is the more likely answer to the mystery and was wondering if anyone else has noticed this phenomenon.

[cougar978]

I've been noticing more and more damage done to the cups as the week goes on. At first I chalked it up to idiots missing the cup putting the flag back in but some fellow golfers attribute it to the old guys using their putter heads to lift balls out of the cup. I now think this is the more likely answer to the mystery and was wondering if anyone else has noticed this phenomenon.

I blew the side of a cup out during a tournament with a ball (closest I've ever came to a hole in one).

[ghalfaire]

I've been noticing more and more damage done to the cups as the week goes on. At first I chalked it up to idiots missing the cup putting the flag back in but some fellow golfers attribute it to the old guys using their putter heads to lift balls out of the cup. I now think this is the more likely answer to the mystery and was wondering if anyone else has noticed this phenomenon.

I agree that removing your ball from the cup using your putter head can cause damage. But why do you think this practice is limited to old guys? Most of the old guys I play with that have problems bending down have suction cups on their putter grips to retrieve their holed putts.

[Kamas]

I agree that removing your ball from the cup using your putter head can cause damage. But why do you think this practice is limited to old guys? Most of the old guys I play with that have problems bending down have suction cups on their putter grips to retrieve their holed putts.

Very true. It is not often the old guys who use their putter head but mostly just lazy people of all ages.

[Fourputt]

I've been noticing more and more damage done to the cups as the week goes on. At first I chalked it up to idiots missing the cup putting the flag back in but some fellow golfers attribute it to the old

Not just "old" guys. I've seen young guys practicing what they learned from watching others. But yes, this is definitely one of the common causes of damage to the rim of the hole. Also leaning the flagstick back too far when tending it will leave a scallop in the rim. Both practices should be avoided.

[Bubba_13]

When I pull my ball out a cup where someone has 'missed' when putting the flag back in, I will just use my ball to reshape the hole back to its intended shape. It is very frustrating when you have to play with damage to the holes but it seems like there are golfers everywhere that don't seem to want to take the time to learn the etiquette part of the game.

[Fourputt]

When I pull my ball out a cup where someone has 'missed' when putting the flag back in, I will just use my ball to reshape the hole back to its intended shape. It is very frustrating when you have to play with damage to the holes but it seems like there are golfers everywhere that don't seem to want to take the time to learn the etiquette part of the game.

Yeah... jamming the flagstick back into the socket in anger after a 3 putt is another common cause of damage. Some guys just don't get it...

[imtomtomim]

I see guys shoving that putter head in the hole all the time. It's not even like it helps you avoid bending over. They bend down to the ground just the same. What is the deal?! I see this all too often and it kills me. Just the lack of respect for the course or any facility for that matter. I think that is one of the biggest cause to many problems we deal with day to day, a lack of consideration towards others.

[tws1098]

Yep, a friend of my uncle uses his putterhead almost everytime. It does not make any sense because 1/2 of the time he has to bend down to repair the hole.

[iacas]

I'll be honest - I sometimes do it with a wedge (if I have to tap in after a close chip), because I can take five seconds and do it incredibly carefully. Plus, I'm holding the flagstick, and bending down and picking up a ball while holding a wedge and a flagstick is sometimes awkward.

But no, never with a putter. I've tried it (albeit really carefully) on the practice green before to prove a point - you can't do it gingerly. It's not like you can scoop under the ball and gently lift it from the hole like you can with a wedge - no, you have to jam the putter in there and rip it up in the hopes that you catch enough ball to pop it up. And then, as someone said, most of those guys still have to bend over to pick up the darn ball!!! I too have seen people do it, but fortunately some that used to do it have gotten those suction cup things for the ends of their putters.

[BMac0223]

We were talking about having the pro offer the suction cups for free right next to the tees and ballmarks. I can't be sure it's only the old guys, but the damage always seems the worst after they all okay Thursday mornings, and I've never seen anyone I've played with do it. I will be playing and noticing every hole damage all over the cup. I've never used the wedge and I have a 2 ball so it would be impossible, but I have yanked the flag out and had the ball shoot out with it. I don't think either one of these are as bad as ripping it out with an ancient ping.

[zeg]

I just carry a shovel in my bag and dig the whole cup out, sift through to find my ball, and then leave the pile of dirt on the green.

[BostonSully]

I just carry a shovel in my bag and dig the whole cup out, sift through to find my ball, and then leave the pile of dirt on the green.

I lol'd.

I worked at a course where old guys always were doing it. That and spitting chewing tobacco all over the greens, oh and putting out cigars on the green and stuffing them in the cup with the flag pole. Oh and driving circles around the fringe dont forget spitting sunflower seeds wherever they may fall on the green too or forgetting that lifting your feet is necessary while walking, dropping your wedge on the green can leave nasty marks and so can slamming your putter down in defeat... Wow thats alot of stuff no wonder everyone always said our greens s*cked >_<...

[clubchamp]

The club I play at had a couple of the early morning guys pulling the balls out of the cup with their putters. It would tear up a couple holes so they told them to either pick it up normally or put the ball gabber on the end of the grip. I heard a story about a member who was notorious for spitting sunflower seeds on the green and it has reached a point where he got 2 options go pick up all of his shells off the greens or have his membership revoked. I wasn't a member when it happened so I'm not sure the story is true but if it is it's funny.

[Paradox]

i must have missed a memo or something but I have never even fathomed getting the ball out with a club...can it really be any less effort than just bending over and getting it?

[retexan599]

The ragged side of the cup is typically 'down grain'; i.e. the grain is growing away from the cup on that side and toward the cup on the other side. I notice this with a lot of holes and actually adjust my putting aim to compensate because the ball will follow the grain to some extent. It is more noticeable on some courses than others. So...I am wondering if some of the raggedness is more or less 'natural' due to the way the grain grows? Not sure, just speculating.

[BMac0223]

Definately not natural. Some of them have a slice hanging by a thread to the point where I can't just squish it back into place and have to leave it hanging.

[bwdial]

i must have missed a memo or something but I have never even fathomed getting the ball out with a club...can it really be any less effort than just bending over and getting it?

Apparently it is. I'm 6' 5", weigh about 285 #s and have injury ravaged knees. If I can bend over and pick the ball out of the cup, anyone can.