If I have a really long putt where I have difficulty seeing the hole,I'll leave it in.I'll also leave it in on extreme downhill putts on really fast greens. Otherwise I leave it in.

I’ve always been old school, pull the pin. But since Covid leaving it in, I’ve kind of just left it mostly.
I also think it helps speed up pace of play, but each to their own. ️‍♂️

Always take the pin out unless its a really long putt.

Casual rounds I tend to leave it in. Competitive rounds I pull the pin for all putts and chips.

Always pull it. Hole looks bigger

Well.....Old School pull the pin. New School, Leave it in. Rules up to you while you're on the green(?). Leave it in when you're 60' away Probability of hitting the pin very hard, teach your playing partner tend it or at least try. Covid 19, don't touch the flag, at least we got to play. Downhill putts, leave it in backstop.

Just have fun, it really doesn't matter to the recreational golfer. But if you scratch, pro, aspiring pro your group that you play with are good too, chances are the closest guy/gal to the flag tends it for the group. First guy/gal who holes out grabs the flag and sticks it in the hole after everyone has putted, everyone else make sure that your playing partners have picked up all their clubs and the sandtraps are raked.

Scores on the hole can be recorded at the next tee..... Ready golf.... Let's play and have fun!!!!!!!?

P.S. Don't forget to fix at least 2 divots, the one that you made and the other one the person before you forgot to fix.

Totally agree about leaving flagstick in being an advantage, glad the data backs it up. The one type of putt I will pull the flagatick out is on a sidehill downhill putt. I can play with the flagstick out but prefer it in

I prefer the flag out. But most of my playing partners don’t care so we usually leave it in. Either way, I believe ‘good’ putts go in and “bad” putts do not.

I keep it simple. I let whoever I am golfing with make the decision, in or out. Does not bother me one way or the other. The only time definitely out is when it is really blowing hard, and the flagstick is bending to a side. This could block ball from going in on that side.

For short putts I like it in to help me concentrate on one side of the hole or not and gives me room for error.

I always take it our unless it is a downhill putt. I thought I saw a study (I think by Golf Digest?) that showed you should take the flagstick out 99% of the time. I could be wrong. I just prefer it out a majority of the time.

I play with guys that leave it in on all putts and others that pull it as soon as you get to the green. Played enough both ways to where it doesn't bother me one way or the other. I really have no preference.

Super interesting data. I’ve been burned a few times from a glancing blow that I pull the pin more often than not, but it might be a perception is reality thing. Great now another thing to think about while I stand over a knee knocker……

Pull it as long as I can see the hole. Ive rattled putts home that have way too much steam with the flagstick out. Bang it off the back of the cup and it goes in. Almost every time I hit a putt too hard or slightly offline I have seen it hit the flag and bounce out of the cup. So more times than not, putts go in without the flag and seem to miss with it in.