In a flag competition, each competitor uses their given number of strokes to take their ball as far around the course as possible.
The “Tombstone” (or flag) marks the point at which they “expired”, i.e. the point on the course a competitor reaches the end
of their given number of strokes. Originally, this number was set at the course par plus full handicap. However, anyone performing better than handicap would need to start playing extra holes after the 18th. So, to ensure that the flag remains within the normal round, 3/4 x (par + handicap) is used.
A medal score is kept for the round, we suggest you also keep a running total of your gross score so that you can quickly determine the point where your given number of strokes has been reached.
This is the point where the flag is put … and there are plenty of opportunities for problems with this.
So here are some guidelines
- If your last stroke leaves the ball in the hole, put the flag on the next tee
- If your last stroke is off the fairway, put the flag in an equivalent position on the fairway, ie the same distance from the pin
- If your last stroke is beyond or to the side of the green, put the flag in an equivalent position in front of the green, ie the
the same distance from the pin - If your last stroke is lost or Out of Bounds, place the flag where you played your previous shot (or equivalent position on the fairway)
- If your last shot was from the tee on a par 3, put the flag an equal distance from the hole in a position where it can be easily
be seen from the tee (in line if possible)
In an ideal flag competition each competitor would have their own flag to mark their individual finishing position. However, this quickly becomes unmanageable, so, starting in 2001, we have decided to use flags to mark 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions on the course.
Competitors in the leading group will put the flags as instructed below;
competitors in the following groups will be able to see if they have improved on the leaders, and move the flag(s) if their ball is further up the course. We realise this could lead to further opportunities for error, but think it is worth experimenting … and a bit more fun too!
So here are some more instructions:
In the leading group, the first player to use their given number of strokes will put the 3rd place flag (#3), as per the guidelines above (adding their name).
The next player puts the 2nd place flag (#2) and then the final player the 1st place flag (#1). Now all three flags are out on the course, each with a name on.
Anyone in the following groups that has not used their given number of strokes when they come to flag #3 will pick it up and move on.
… if they run out before they come to flag #2, this is the new spot for flag #3 (with their name added).
OVERTAKING
i.e. if they haven’t run out of strokes, then the flag currently in second place becomes third place and the easiest way is to change the number on the flag cards … i.e. flag #2 now becomes flag #3 (and is left) and the flag they are carrying becomes the new flag #2. (and the number on the card changed)
… If they then run out before they get to flag #1, this will be the spot for flag #2 (with their name added).
… If they haven’t, then #1 is also overtaken and changed to #2 (number on card), and the new #1 flag carried on (till the given number of strokes is reached).
Obviously if multiple players in a following group surpass existing flags then these are moved further up the course, and if you have used your given number of strokes before you get to #3 you just play out the round.
NB. The Competition will also count towards the Eclectic, so keep your medal score for the full round.
TIE BREAK
In 2000, we had a tie so decided to share the trophy. However, the Committee felt this was less than satisfactory so will introduce a tie break method in future.
This will be done by going back to the previous tee, and determining which of the players involved had the most number of unused shots up to that point.
- Player A had used 60 out of the full allowance of 64, so had 4 unused shots.
- Player B had used 66 out of the full allowance of 71, so had 5 unused shots .. so is the winner of the tie break.
The logic for this is that it is the easiest way of determining how far down the course each player had been at a point that could be determined, AND having used up the least of their full allowance. Also, if this is still a tie, then we count back to the next previous tee … and so on.