Pin
A pin in golf is the flagstick placed in the hole on a putting green to show players where the hole is from a distance. It’s the official “flagstick” in the Rules of Golf, but most players just call it the pin.
What is a pin in golf?
In golf, the pin is the tall, slender pole set in the cup on every putting green. It marks the exact spot of the hole so players can aim from the tee or the fairway, sometimes from more than 200 yards out. The hole itself is only 4.25 inches across, a standard set by the R&A in 1891 and used worldwide today. Without a tall marker, finding that small target from any real distance would be nearly impossible.
The Rules of Golf, written jointly by the USGA and the R&A, define the flagstick as “a movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.”
“Pin” is the word golfers use in everyday conversation. The official rulebook always says “flagstick,” but on the course and in commentary, the shorter word wins out.
Pin vs. flagstick: what’s the difference?
There isn’t one. “Pin” and “flagstick” describe the same piece of equipment. The USGA and R&A use “flagstick” in every edition of the Rules of Golf, while golfers and broadcasters tend to use “pin” because it’s shorter and easier to say in conversation.
A few other names also turn up. “The stick” is common in casual play, and “flag” gets used when someone means just the cloth at the top of the pole. “Flag high” or “flagstick high” would technically work as alternatives to “pin high,” but neither phrase ever caught on.
Parts of a pin (anatomy)
A pin looks like one simple object, but it’s actually a few components working together. Most pins stand between 7 and 8 feet tall, and the USGA recommends a minimum height of 7 feet so the flag stays visible from anywhere on the course.
The pole is usually fiberglass or a similar composite that’s strong enough to hold the pin upright and flexible enough to bend in heavy wind without snapping. USGA Equipment Rules also require the pole to be circular in cross-section and free of any shock-absorbing material, so the pin can’t be designed to influence how a ball reacts when it hits.
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pole | The main fiberglass shaft, usually 7 to 8 feet tall |
| Flag | The cloth or nylon panel near the top, often with the hole number |
| Ferrule | The base that slots into the cup |
| Finial | The small cap at the top of the pole; helps balance the flag |
What do the flag colors mean?
Most golf courses use a color-coded flag system to signal where the hole is cut on the green that day. The system isn’t fully universal, but the most common version uses three colors:
| Flag color | Pin position |
|---|---|
| Red | Front of the green |
| White | Middle of the green |
| Yellow or blue | Back of the green |
A red flag tells a player approaching the green that the hole is near the front, so the shot needs to land short and release toward the cup. White signals a middle pin and gives the most room for error. Yellow or blue means the hole is toward the back, and the player needs more club to reach it.
Some courses skip the colors and use flag height on the pole instead: low for front, middle for middle, high for back. Because the system varies by course, a quick check with the starter before a round catches any course-specific code.
The 2019 rule change: leaving the pin in
For most of the game’s history, golfers had to remove the flagstick before putting from the green. A ball that struck the pin on a putt from the putting surface meant a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.
In January 2019, the USGA and the R&A introduced Rule 13.2a(2), which removed that penalty. A player can now putt with the flagstick in the hole, and no penalty applies if the ball strikes it. The reason given was pace of play: most amateur golfers don’t have caddies, and the time spent walking to the hole to pull the pin was adding up across an 18-hole round.
The choice is now personal. Bryson DeChambeau often leaves the pin in because the energy lost when the ball strikes it can help drop the putt. Justin Thomas and other traditionalists pull the pin every time.
Pin position and why it matters
The location of the cup on a given green is called pin position, sometimes pin placement or hole location. It changes day to day because greenskeepers move the hole regularly to spread out foot traffic and keep the course playing fresh.
Where the pin sits changes how a hole plays. A pin tucked behind a front bunker calls for a different approach than a pin sitting in the middle of the green, and a back pin demands more club than a front one. On many courses, the same hole can feel completely different from one day to the next based on where the pin is cut.
Pin sheets, sometimes available at the pro shop, are small diagrams showing each green with a dot marking the hole’s exact position, plus measurements from the front and side edges. Tour pros and caddies rely on them during competition to dial in yardages.
Tending the pin
Tending the pin means having one person hold the flagstick while another player putts, then pulling it out before the ball reaches the hole. It used to be the standard way to handle long putts: the player rolled the ball with a clear visual target, and the tender lifted the pin clean before impact.
Since the 2019 rule change, tending has become less common. Most golfers either leave the pin in or remove it before putting. Tending still has its place on long putts where the target needs to stay visible at distance.
Etiquette matters when tending. The tender should stand far enough from the hole that their shadow doesn’t fall across the player’s putting line and hold the pin steady so the flag isn’t flapping. Once the ball is struck, the pin comes straight up, so the tender can step away before the ball arrives.
Related Golf Terms
- Pete Dye design — A golf course designed by the renowned architect Pete Dye, known for challenging features.
- Penalty stroke — An additional stroke added to a player’s score due to a rule infraction.
- Penalty area — Areas marked by red or yellow stakes where special rules apply (formerly water hazards).
- PGA championship — One of golf’s four major championships organized by the PGA of America.
- Perched lie — A ball sitting up high on top of the grass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pin the same as the flagstick?
Yes. “Pin” is the casual term golfers use; “flagstick” is the official term in the Rules of Golf. They describe the same piece of equipment, and the two words are used interchangeably on the course and in commentary.
Why is it called a pin?
The name likely comes from the flagstick’s appearance: a tall, thin pole standing upright like a pin pushed into the ground. The exact origin isn’t documented in the rules, but the casual term has been used among golfers for well over a century.
Can a player leave the pin in when putting?
Yes. The 2019 update to the Rules of Golf (Rule 13.2a) removed the penalty for a ball striking the flagstick on a putt from the green. A player can leave the pin in or take it out, with no advantage either way under the rules.
What does “closest to the pin” mean?
Closest to the pin, sometimes abbreviated CTP or KP, is a side contest played on a par-3 hole during tournaments and charity events. Whichever player lands their tee shot nearest the flagstick wins.
What does “pin high” mean?
Pin high describes an approach shot that finishes level with the flagstick, even if the ball ends up off to the left or right. It’s a way of saying the player got the distance right without commenting on accuracy.
Sources
- USGA. “Rule 13: Putting Greens.” Rules of Golf. usga.org.
- R&A and USGA. “Rules of Golf.” Joint definition of the flagstick.
- USGA. “Equipment Rules.” Flagstick specifications.
- Caddie HQ. “What Is a Pin in Golf?” by Spencer Lanoue. caddiehq.com.
- Brent Kelley. “What Is the ’Pin’ in Golf?” LiveAbout. liveabout.com.
- Golf.com. “2019 rules changes: Why the flagstick is now your friend.” golf.com.
