[Uzezqelj]

Here's how I was taught. Approach the hole in such a way that you don't infringe on anyone's line. That can be hard with 4 players on the green, but I do the best I can. I always gather up the bunting so that it won't hang loose or flap and distract the players. I stand so that my shadow is not on the hole or on the line of putt for the player who is putting. I pull the flagstick out of the socket and angle it back away from the player so that I'm as far away from the hole as possible. Once the putt is rolling I remove the flagstick and step away from the hole. If anyone else needs it I replace it in the hole and start the process over again. If not, then I lay it down gently well away from the action, in a place where it will not bother any player or possibly be hit by a putted ball.

That's exactly how my father (a former caddy) taught me to do it forty-one years ago (and that's exactly how I do it today).

Way to go dad!


-JP

[Stengapsept]

Another thing that seems to commonly happen, someone has a long putt, but another a short chip, when the putt is away. If I'm chipping, I want the pin in, and you usually have to go back in put it in your self because nobody is paying attention.

I mentioned that earlier. We usually go ahead and chip, even if you aren't away. If you're gambling, there could be reasons not to do it that way, but in a friendly game, it shouldn't matter. Or you could decide ahead that off the green goes first if they want the pin in.

[RSAccountssy]

I mentioned that earlier. We usually go ahead and chip, even if you aren't away. If you're gambling, there could be reasons not to do it that way, but in a friendly game, it shouldn't matter. Or you could decide ahead that off the green goes first if they want the pin in.

Problem is, with my usual foursome, we almost always have some money on it. I just need to do some work making sure they understand my preferences. Or make a solid "chip first" rule. So I guess i'm just being whiny

[neeclindy]

One additional thing to mention that I don't think was brought up yet, watch the through line. Meaning you don't want to stand in a place wherein if the ball goes past the hole, it will have to be putted back over the footprints you just made from standing in one spot for several seconds.

That is a good practice, but can be difficult to do when you have 4 players on the green putting from all four points of the compass. It can be difficult enough just avoiding the actual line without extending it very far beyond. The way I do it by angling the flagstick back, if they get the ball within 3 feet of the hole, generally it isn't a problem. If they bang the ball 8 feet past... well then sometimes they just have to deal with it.

I won't intentionally stand in the runout area, but I'll show more concern for all 4 players' primary putting lines. With 4 players on the green, the area around the hole could be cut into 8 no stand zones... That can get a bit tricky.