Could Augusta National Have a Local Rule Banning Leaving the Pin In?

[herdman]

We were talking yesterday during out round about this? I wonder what Augusta National thinks of this rule? Could they make a local rule requiring the pin to be removed when putting?

[nsxguy]

We were talking yesterday during out round about this? I wonder what Augusta National thinks of this rule? Could they make a local rule requiring the pin to be removed when putting?

 

Nope. Don't think so.

[herdman]

We were talking yesterday during out round about this? I wonder what Augusta National thinks of this rule? Could they make a local rule requiring the pin to be removed when putting?

 

Nope. Don't think so.

 

I don't think so either. I bet they are not happy about it. There are clear advantages to it. I witnessed it twice yesterday. Saved a guy a par and a birdie.

[imakaveli]

I really hope so, ANGC should step up against this mess.

[mjen43]

Sure they can.

[MtlJeff]

Why can't they? Isn't it an independent tournament? Or has that changed. I thought it wasn't an "official" tour event

[Ashley Schaeffer]

I thought ANGC could make any rule it wanted for the Masters. Like no woods, and everyone has to hit one shot with the grip end. I don't think the USGA has a say, which is nice.

[imakaveli]

I thought ANGC could make any rule it wanted for the Masters. Like no woods, and everyone has to hit one shot with the grip end. I don't think the USGA has a say, which is nice.

 

Thank god the only Major USGA has a saying is the US Open...

[Jagpilotohio]

Why would they possibly care?

[Ashley Schaeffer]

I thought ANGC could make any rule it wanted for the Masters. Like no woods, and everyone has to hit one shot with the grip end. I don't think the USGA has a say, which is nice.

 

Thank god the only Major USGA has a saying is the US Open...

 

Agreed.

[KrazyTrain18]

Sure they could, but I doubt they will. Augusta has been softening up over the past many years and I can't see them caring too much for a local rule.

[Golfnutgalen]

I thought the PGA Tour would have made it a rule for all tournaments. As it is, there's nothing they can do about it.

[KevCarter]

Does anybody really think Fred Ridley is going to turn his back on the USGA?

[Darth Putter]

I thought ANGC could make any rule it wanted for the Masters. Like no woods, and everyone has to hit one shot with the grip end. I don't think the USGA has a say, which is nice.

 

Thank god the only Major USGA has a saying is the US Open...

 

It's the R&A's rule too.

[Darth Putter]

I thought the PGA Tour would have made it a rule for all tournaments. As it is, there's nothing they can do about it.

 

The PGA Tour could go back to the old rule if they wanted to tomorrow.

 

They won't.

 

 

From Mr. Ridley's public comments, it seems The Masters will allow the pin to stay in this year.

[BrianMcG]

Augusta National could start making them throw golf disks and ride a bike 100 miles if they wanted to. But I doubt they will do anything. They have a drive, pitch and putt to concentrate on.

[Club Guru]

1. Augusta could use pins that aren’t conducive to keeping them in for putts if they want to negate this awful rule.

2. I may puke if I see someone win the masters this year with a putt on 18 that clanks in off the flag stick.

[Maximilian]

Why would they possibly care?

Trying to figure this out too.

[PowderedToastMan]

Cliff Roberts probably would have, but he’s been dead for almost 40 years.

[OldTomMorris]

Of course they could but I don't think they will.

[herdman]

Why would they possibly care?

Trying to figure this out too.

 

Somebody clanks one in coming down the stretch or the 18th hole to win the Masters.

[OldTomMorris]

Why would they possibly care?

Trying to figure this out too.

 

Somebody clanks one in coming down the stretch or the 18th hole to win the Masters.

 

Above the hole on 9 from any distance at all and the flag is left in possibly even used as a backstop.

[imakaveli]

I thought ANGC could make any rule it wanted for the Masters. Like no woods, and everyone has to hit one shot with the grip end. I don't think the USGA has a say, which is nice.

 

Thank god the only Major USGA has a saying is the US Open...

 

It's the R&A's rule too.

 

You should read my post again...

[Maximilian]

Why would they possibly care?

Trying to figure this out too.

 

Somebody clanks one in coming down the stretch or the 18th hole to win the Masters.

 

Above the hole on 9 from any distance at all and the flag is left in possibly even used as a backstop.

 

You are right, it will be beneficial to keep the flag in on some putts. Still don’t know why that matters if it’s the same for everyone? Or more particularly why the folks at Augusta would care?

 

What I do hate is how good approach shots can be severely punished by hitting the flag. Should substitute flags for lazer beams, but guess that’s hoping for too much. :-)

 

And for what it’s worth, I haven’t removed the flag once since New Years. Best rules change ever!

[gvogel]

Does anybody really think Fred Ridley is going to turn his back on the USGA?

 

Right. Besides Fred Ridley, there are probably a few other USGA guys, or ex-USGA guys who are members at ANGC.

[KevCarter]

Does anybody really think Fred Ridley is going to turn his back on the USGA?

 

Right. Besides Fred Ridley, there are probably a few other USGA guys, or ex-USGA guys who are members at ANGC.

 

Cheers GVogel!

[rangersgoalie]

With the number of current and former USGA guys that are members, to think the USGA does t hold influence seems a bit too hopeful

[rangersgoalie]

1. Augusta could use pins that aren’t conducive to keeping them in for putts if they want to negate this awful rule.

2. I may puke if I see someone win the masters this year with a putt on 18 that clanks in off the flag stick.

 

Augusta is about tv

 

Less clutter of guys standing on green blocking tv and the patrons is a benefit of the rule

[OldTomMorris]

why the folks at Augusta would care?

 

Some people believe in certain circumstances being able to leave the pin in will eliminate the need for skill. They might agree with this idea or simply they might not like the optics of the flag in.

 

I think its highly unlikely that they do anything about the rule.

[Maximilian]

why the folks at Augusta would care?

They might agree with this idea or simply they might not like the optics of the flag in.

I think they would love the optics of having their yellow flag in the center of the picture of the winning putt! :-)