Flag In/Out

[Charles Mines]

Does anyone know what the rules are about the flags? Will they all have to be left in and not touched? Or is it optional? I’m assuming those with raised cups will have to be left in.

[Aaron Ellis]

I think all cups in Myrtle Beach are basically the same at all the courses, they sit normal and have a small piece of pool Noodle down in the hole that allows the ball to go down into the hole but not all the way so you don’t reach in but a little to grab your ball, I’d assume most flag sticks will be left in

[Carlos Csicsmann]

It’s a great question, I played in a tournament this weekend and players ahead of us were removing the flag but didn’t do a good job of makes sure the noodle is pressed back down in the hole. On several occasions balls didn’t stay in the cup as a result. If we are allowed to remove the flag then will we be allowed to press the noodle back down prior to making a putt?

[Scott T. – World Am]

It is highly likely we will be keeping pins in for the event. Majority of courses here are using noodles, which we would emphasize need to balance ability to allow the ball to be ‘holed’ while still enough to help not touch the flagstick.

[david tiano]

Scott will you be following Carolina Golf Association current rules updated tournament protocols.

[Ed Guertin]

Dave, I did see that you mentioned that in a previous post i was following but it disappeared. could you repost the link that was there so I can read it again? Thanks!

[Ed Guertin]

Pool Noodles, although they serve the purpose they create heated discussions on what has been holed and what is not holed. Up here in New England there are used in a majority of courses and the depths vary from course to course as they are not cut all the same. I have been privy to those discussions as to what is “holed” and what was “spit out” off the noodle that would have and should have went in. There is no doubt in my mind this will rear it’s ugly head during the tournament. Just sayin…

[Ed Guertin]

Pool Noodles, although they serve the purpose they create heated discussions on what has been holed and what is not holed. Up here in New England there are used in a majority of courses and the depths vary from course to course as they are not cut all the same. I have been privy to those discussions as to what is “holed” and what was “spit out” off the noodle that would have and should have went in. There is no doubt in my mind this will rear it’s ugly head during the tournament. Just sayin…

[Harry (The Hack) Radley]

Had the perfect scenario to ???? on Tuesday nights league. Opponent blades a chip from off the green and it strikes the flag half way up. It then falls directly down wrapping up in the lower pin positioning flag, then gently falls into the cup with minimal force where upon it hits the noodle which is 2.5 inches from the bottom, but totally below the surface, then bouncing back up and sits on the lip overhanging the hole.

The question was asked if it was holed. My entire group (myself, partner, opponents partner) all agree the ball would have been holed it the hole was noodleless. We conceded the hole and inquired later as to the ruling. It was rules to be holed if in all evidence and reasonable doubt the ball was holed and the noodle caused the ejection the ball shall be holed.

Is there going to a definite rule to cover all circumstances this year. Must the ball remain in the hole regardless of what happens to be holed

[Ed Guertin]

Harry, now do the same on a Par 3 when no one is on the green to observe exactly what happened…
Or, a shot from the fairway…

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Ed Guertin.

[Mike Sigmon]

You know the other day I was playing and had the par 3 not had a noodle in it I really think I’d have hole in one number 5 instead of 4 it hit right in front of the hole took off about a inch of the hole out but the noodle made it like a spring board and the ball ended up 60 feet away easy 2 par though lol

[Harry (The Hack) Radley]

Two months ago I played in a tournament at faitfield glides in Tennessee the two day event had the rules if you touched the pin any way whatsoever you incurred a 2 stroke penalty 2nd offense was disqualification. The course was set up with noodles but the thing was it had rained heavily in the morning and getting to a few of the greens the holes had filled with water and the noodle had floated to the top and were sticking out 3″ above the hole making it impossible for the ball to be holed which was part of the rules. That wasn’t much thought put into that I hope they are going to put a little thought into the noodle situation in Myrtle Beach as we know it can rain at any time hope those noodles are noy going to float like they did in Tennessee

[Aaron Ellis]

I’ve played on courses in NC/SC/FL and I will take pool noodles over inverted cups, and had only two times where pool Noodle was an issue and that was because they basically set 1/2″ below the top of the hole, but out of like 30-40 rounds it’s only happened on two holes, and otherwise the pool noodles have worked just fine! Will someone get a “bad break” during the tournament, yes more than likely, but it’s kinda like the rub of the green, golf is filled with bad breaks and good breaks, that same person will get a lucky/fortunate bounce during the week as well!

[James Carter]

I have played a few courses in North Carolina that have PVC pipe instead of the pool noodles. Definitely helps the ball stay in the hole. I like it much better. It also wouldn’t take much to have the pool noodles cut the same length. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[grant johnson]

in my opinion, for what it is worth, this flag in rule is ridiculous…the pros have proven you can touch the flagstick, whether its with a rag or whatever….I realize the committee has to go by state regulations, but come on….how hard is it to go back to your cart and use hand sanitizer that they are giving you in gift bag, and a quick shot and you’re on your way. Heaven forbid you scrounge the tee box on a par 3 looking for a broken tee to use….it might be infected. I know, I’m a rebel and a chance taker, but if you’re at the beach for a week you are going to be taking a lot more chances than away from the course…..rant over.

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