NCG’s Golf Glossary: What is a pin?

Here at NCG we pride ourselves on being the publication for the everyday player, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to delve into the wonderful world of the golfing lexicon.

Sometimes the most obvious terms have the most interesting story, so you might find yourself an interesting conversation starter…

What is a pin?

The term pin in golf is used to describe the flagstick that is situated inside the hole.

How would I use it in a sentence?

“All of the groups’ golf balls landed on the green so they removed the pin so they could putt”

What are the origins?

The first mention of the flagstick can be found in the 1875 set of rules but it is almost certain that they were being used before.

In 1882 the rules stated that the flagstick should be removed when players were within 20 yards of the hole and there was a one stroke penalty for failing to do so.

By 1956 the rules stated that it was up to the players in the group, whether it was strokeplay or matchplay, to decide when to take the pin out. If a player hits the flag they receive a two stroke penalty.

Any other business?

The flag that is attached to the pin is usually a different colour on each hole. Most clubs go by the fact that a red flag indicates the front third of the green, a yellow flag indicates the middle and white indicates the back.

Some clubs simply have one colour for the front nine and one colour for the back nine. At professional tournaments all the flags are the same colour.

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