TIPS FROM THE PROS * BY MIKE BARGE * Mike Barge is the director of instruction at Hazeltine National GC, and a Class A member of the PGA of America and the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame. Find That Sinking Feeling With the choice of flagstick removal back, consider your options when eyeing the next putt. A 2019 change in the Rules of Golf has allowed golfers to putt with the fl agstick in the hole and unattended (although COVID-19 precautions mandated that for most of the 2020 season). The rules change was made primarily to improve the speed of play and not specifically meant to be a benefi t. Now that the choice is yours again, should you leave it in or take it out? It's going to be a matter of personal preference and how you're used to putting. If you want to mirror what the professionals on Tour are doing, a majority putt with the fl agstick out, especially inside of 25 feet. If you get better depth perception from long distance and it helps your aim and focus on short putts, keeping the fl agstick in is best for you. Feel free to experiment with both options and fi nd what helps you sink more putts. mngolf.org Spring 2021 MINNESOTAGOLFER 9 PHOTO BY MATT SEEFELDThttp://www.mngolf.org