When you tend the flag for someone in your group ... how do you do it? Do you stand perfectly upright next to it? Do you stand on the "high" side where its breaking from? Do you cast a shadow over the line of the putt? Do you wrap the flag so it doesn't flap in the wind? Do you lay it just behind the hole so that a putt can hit it as it goes by the hole?
Watch the caddies on Tour. It should be done just as they do it.
1. Take the flag out of the actual hole and lean it on the side of the hole as you hold it ... so when you remove it after the putt is struck, this ensures that the flag is not stuck in the hole when you pull it out. I have seen this happen way too often. As soon as the ball nears the hole, the tender of the flag cannot get the flag out and it yanks out and either hits the ball or damages the hole in some way.
2. Determine where the break is .... stand on the bottom of the break (i.e. where the ball will end up after it goes by the hole) Do not stand on the "high" side ... where the player is aiming the putt.
3. Wrap the flag around the shaft as you are holding it ... this ensures the flag does not flap in the wind
4. Stand so as not to cast a shadow over the line of the putt.
5. Remove it in time. After all, the intention is just to show the player where the hole is ... so after the putt is struck, why does it need to be still in the hole?
6. After the flag is removed .... lay it somewhere out of play. Somewhere in the fringe is good ... don't be afraid to lay it far away from the hole if needed ... not where it could be struck by a stray putt that goes past the hole.
7. If you are the first to hole out in your group, you should be responsible for getting the flag back into the hole. Just common courtesy. It also ensures that no one leaves any clubs on the green if you just take the time to look around and be aware of your surroundings. The members of your group will thank you for it. "Hey don't forget your wedge!"
There is an art to tending the flag believe it or not.
Thoughts?? :bicker:
Watch the caddies on Tour. It should be done just as they do it.
1. Take the flag out of the actual hole and lean it on the side of the hole as you hold it ... so when you remove it after the putt is struck, this ensures that the flag is not stuck in the hole when you pull it out. I have seen this happen way too often. As soon as the ball nears the hole, the tender of the flag cannot get the flag out and it yanks out and either hits the ball or damages the hole in some way.
2. Determine where the break is .... stand on the bottom of the break (i.e. where the ball will end up after it goes by the hole) Do not stand on the "high" side ... where the player is aiming the putt.
3. Wrap the flag around the shaft as you are holding it ... this ensures the flag does not flap in the wind
4. Stand so as not to cast a shadow over the line of the putt.
5. Remove it in time. After all, the intention is just to show the player where the hole is ... so after the putt is struck, why does it need to be still in the hole?
6. After the flag is removed .... lay it somewhere out of play. Somewhere in the fringe is good ... don't be afraid to lay it far away from the hole if needed ... not where it could be struck by a stray putt that goes past the hole.
7. If you are the first to hole out in your group, you should be responsible for getting the flag back into the hole. Just common courtesy. It also ensures that no one leaves any clubs on the green if you just take the time to look around and be aware of your surroundings. The members of your group will thank you for it. "Hey don't forget your wedge!"
There is an art to tending the flag believe it or not.
Thoughts?? :bicker:
