In? Out? OUT!!
In? Out? OUT!!
Take The Flagstick OUT!!!
A few weeks ago at the American Express Championships, Davis Thompson had a 48 foot putt that hit the flagstick and did not go in – and social media went crazy! “He should have taken the flagstick out, what a mistake!” Well…
Here is A LINK to the video of this putt. At the speed this putt was traveling and the fact that it did not hit the hole in the center, it had about as much a chance of going in the hole as I have of running a 26.2 mile marathon on March 1, 2023. In truth, if the flagstick had been out, it probably would have gone 6 feet or more past the hole. If he had not two-putted the hole, he probably would have lost more than $100,000 in prize money. My view – for him and this putt – “flagstick in” helped him. However…
The USGA created the flagstick in rule on the greens a few years ago. Dr. Tom Mase, a member of the Golf Digest Technical Advisory Panel, did a detailed study on whether the new rule will help or hurt golfers to Make More Putts. Here are two links to his study that are interesting to read…
Yes, for putts longer than 30 feet (and if you do not have excellent distance and speed control), keeping the flagstick in can sometimes help you avoid 3 putts. However, if you intent is to be a better than average putter – Take The Flagstick Out!
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Small update on my knee surgery rehab – it has been tougher than expected, and certainly a learning experience. If any of you followers, or friends of yours, may want some insights on knee replacement surgery and recovery – feel free to CONTACT ME and I will be happy to respond with some suggestions!
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