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Should you leave the flag in or pull it out before you putt? Golf coach Sue Shapcott puts the question to the test in a simple but revealing experiment, hitting short putts both ways to find out which really works better — and why the answer might surprise you.
Sue Shapot – Putting
It’s one of those on-course decisions that most golfers make on instinct — but is there actually a right answer? In this video, Sue runs her own putting experiment from around four feet, comparing results with the flag in and out to explore what genuinely makes a difference, from flagstick width to putting tempo to pure psychology.
Key Takeaways
Psychology can influence your results Sue found she holed more putts with the pin out simply because the hole appeared larger to her visually, which improved her confidence at address.
Psychology can influence your results Sue found she holed more putts with the pin out simply because the hole appeared larger to her visually, which improved her confidence at address.
Your putting tempo matters Gentle putters who let the ball die into the hole may be more affected by the flagstick than aggressive putters, since a firm ball is less likely to be deflected by the pin.
Flagstick width is a factor A narrower flagstick base is less likely to cause a ball to bounce out, so if your course uses thicker pins, pulling the flag may be the safer option.
Try Sue’s experiment yourself next time you have a few minutes on the practice green — ten putts with the flag in, ten with it out, and see which gives you better results and a clearer picture to aim at. This video suits golfers at any level who want to make a more informed decision on something they face every single round.
