Pin In or Out Post COVID?

General Discussion
#41

Pin in.

  • No need to touch the flag and increase risk of catching a virus.
  • Use flag as a backboard like basketball. :basketball:
    :grin:
2 Likes
#42

It would be nice if the pin were flat like a backboard.

#43

The only time having the pin In; disturbs me is if when the wind :dash: is blowing so hard the stick is moving back and forth.

#44

I’m firmly on the leave it in side.

If the flagstick is fully seated in its base and standing upright … eg. not blowing over in a strong wind … there is plenty of room for the ball to fall in … at the proper speed…

…As others have said if it hits the stick and bounces out then your putt was too firm and would have bounced out/over the hole without the flagstick in…

Seems to me that having the upright visual cue, plus the potential backstop on too-strong putts, will help way more often than not.

Another plus to leaving it in:

  • some people jam the base into the green and leave a dent;
  • some people drop the stick on the green and leave a dent;
  • some people damage the lip of the cup taking it out and putting it back in (screwing up the putts for later groups)
3 Likes
#45

Ever since it became legal (and often before that as well) I’ve left the pin in and will continue to do so.

1 Like
#46

I have trouble hitting a short putt firm with the pin in because I feel like if I’m slightly off-center the ball will bounce out.

#47

With the right speed it “should not” (quote-unquote) but of course it’s personal preference and what gives each player more comfort (what they’re accustomed to doing) and more confidence (I can make this putt!).

#48

I do miss the sound of a putt landing in the hole but I agree, there is a lot of value in leaving the pin in

1 Like
#49

I agree. But from closeup the pin looks quite big and prevents me from hitting it firm.

1 Like
#50

I never stopped taking the pin out… don’t tell the federal storm troopers

2 Likes
#51

:joy::rofl: you win the comments today!

2 Likes
#52

One thing I’ve noticed is more damage to the hole from leaving the pin in and everyone reaching in trying to get the ball out. Hands scrape the edges all day long from people not being careful.

1 Like
#53

I’ll likely leave it in - because I’m usually playing alone. I do kind of miss the cup sticking out of the hole though - no worries about pace…just bang the cup and call it good! lol…

2 Likes
#54

Definitely going to be taking the pin out! I’ve had 3 or 4 instances of a pin blowing in the wind causing me to miss a putt.

#55

I’ve been leaving it in. I feel like I’ve had maybe 1-2 putts that were kept out because of it, but not 100% certain. Initially I liked it more on long putts while it bothered me on short ones, but now I don’t even notice. We have just 1 guy in our group that doesn’t like the flag in on putts from 15 ft and in

#56

Pin stays in. Always. #playfast

2 Likes
#57

I like the courses that have a retriever that pops the ball out of the cup so you don’t have to reach your hand in the hole to dig it out.

2 Likes