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Tom's Featured Tip: Flagstick In or Out? Another Definitive Study
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Flagstick In or Out? Another Definitive Study
For simplicity, all advice on actual swings or drills is provided from a right handed perspective.
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Flagstick In or Out? Another Definitive Study
The players that I play golf with know that I leave the flagstick in for every putt, because I like to follow the science. A lot of my thinking and personal research was prompted by Bryson DeChambeau, who trys to model everything he does in golf after his own scientific research.
When COVID was in it's heyday, the flagstick was being left in to minimize any possible spread of COVID. In 2019 it was deemed legal to do so by the rules of golf. When it was legalized, I read several research studies regarding the effectiveness of leaving the flagstick in vs. taking it out.
The conclusions were in line with the conclusions in the study I'm writing about today.
I want to share this information so that you can make an educated choice on leaving the pin in or out.
MyGolfSpy did a Golf Science study on the subject, and they used the following equipment:
- A Perfect Putter training aid, a putting ramp robot that allows the user to roll a golf ball at repeatable speeds.
- Two different flagsticks, of the types that is used at over 90% of the courses in the USA. One is relatively flimsy, one is relatively sturdy. You can determine which one your course uses by removing it from the hole, grabbing it at the halfway point and shaking it. The flimsy one will feel flimsy and vibrate in your hand like a javelin. The sturdy one will feel like a telephone pole. The difference is in the design and the material which provides either a high or low COR. COR means coefficient of restitution, this measures the stiffness of a flagstick. Higher COR equals less rigidity (more forgiving).
Before they started their formal testing at various distances, they rolled a 5' putt at a speed where the ball would travel 20' past the hole if it missed. Every putt was rolled into the exact center of the cup. Every putt attempted with the flagstick in was successful, the ball stayed in the hole. Every putt with the flagstick removed was unsuccessful, the ball popped up after striking the rear of the cup, then continued to roll quite a distance past the hole.
They found that every putt from inside of 3' was not impacted regardless of whether the flagstick was in or out.
'
Here's how they tested:
- They rolled 20 balls with each variable.
- Flimsy flagsticks and sturdy flagsticks.
- Putts rolled at the following speeds: 3', 6', and 9' past the hole.
- Flagstick in, flagstick out.
- Center putts, and off center putts.
They wanted to find out two things:
- How many more putts go in or not with the flagstick in.
- Which misses ended up closer to the hole, flagstick in or out.
RIGID FLAGSTICK
3' Past The Hole Results
- Center Strike
Pin in - 100% went in.
Pin out - 100% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 85% went in, 45% advantage.
Pin out - 40% went in.
6' Past The Hole Results
-
Center Strike
Pin in - 100% went in, 65% advantage.
Pin out - 35% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 40% went in, 30% advantage
Pin out - 10% went in.
-
Center Strike
Pin in - 80% went in, 75% advantage.
Pin out - 5% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 0% went in.
Pin out - 0% went in.
FLIMSY (TAPERED) FLAGSTICK
3' Past The Hole Results
-
Center Strike
Pin in - 100% went in.
Pin out - 100% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 60% went in, 20% advantage.
Pin out - 40% went in.
-
Center Strike
Pin in - 100% went in, 65% advantage.
Pin out - 35% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 15% went in. 5% advantage.
Pin out - 10% went in.
-
Center Strike
Pin in - 70% went in, 65% advantage.
Pin out - 5% went in.
Off Center Strike
Pin in - 0% went in.
Pin out - 0% went in.
THEIR CONCLUSIONS
- Leaving the pin in is always an advantage.
- Misses are shorter when the pin was in vs. when the pin is out by an avegare of 16" regardless of the type of flagstick used.
I've been putting with the pin in since it was legalized, try it - you'll like it.
Comments: TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
Love your practice, own your swing, own your health,
Tom
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All the best,
Tom Tucker
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WGTF ' "Top 100 Golf Teacher"
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Email: TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
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