Tending the flag
Tending the flag is the removal of the flagstick from the hole by a fellow player while you putt.
When tending the flag, the flagstick initially stays in the hole so that you can see it better from a distance, and a fellow player pulls it out as soon as your putt rolls. The term comes from the time when the ball was not allowed to touch the flagstick, otherwise there was a penalty stroke. Since the rule reform of 2019 touching the flagstick is allowed; tending it is therefore no longer a duty but a pure agreement. Many groups still ask before long putts: “Shall I tend it?”
In practice, tending the flag follows a fixed pattern. An example: your ball lies twelve metres from the hole, the green is undulating and the hole is hard to see from your position. A fellow player stands next to the flagstick, holds it loosely and pulls it out of the hole as soon as you have struck. Afterwards he lays it flat on the green, not into the hole and not on the putting line of another player. The gentle grip matters: whoever holds the flagstick at the pole and turns the flag itself to the side prevents it from rattling in the wind and disturbing the putt visually.
A typical mistake is pulling too late. If the flagstick stays stuck or is only removed after the ball has arrived, there used to be penalty strokes; today only angry looks, if the hole is damaged in the process. Another misconception: tending the flag is not a duty of the other player but a favour that you request. Many golfers now leave the flagstick in the hole as a rule, because it serves as a visual target aid and increases the pace of play. What applies in your round is best clarified on the first green.
FAQ
Does the flagstick still have to be tended when putting nowadays?
No, since the rule reform of 2019 the ball may touch the flagstick, so tending it is no longer a duty. Many golfers leave the flagstick in the hole as a rule, because it serves as a visual target aid and increases the pace of play. Whether it is tended in your round is best clarified on the first green with a short agreement.
How do I tend the flag correctly?
Stand next to the hole, hold the flagstick loosely and turn the flag to the side in the wind so that it does not rattle and disturb the putt visually. As soon as the ball rolls, pull the flagstick out of the hole without damaging the edge of the hole. Afterwards lay the flag flat on the green, never into the hole and never on the putting line of another player.
What should I absolutely avoid when tending the flag?
Above all avoid pulling too late: if the flagstick stays stuck or only comes out after the ball has arrived, there is no longer a penalty today, but angry looks if the hole takes damage in the process. Also make sure that your feet are not standing on the putting line of a fellow player while tending. And remember: tending the flag is a favour that is requested, not a duty of the other player.