Respecting the American Flag Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jennifer Torres

   

   2 posts
   
   3/20/2015 12:03 PM

   Last year we began placing the US Flags on our course for Federal holidays (4th of July, Veterans Day, 9/11) the issue I have is so many golfers don't respect the flag and lay it on the ground. Have any of you found an attachment that can be place on the flag stick to prevent the flag from touching the ground? If so where and how much are they? Thanks

   
   
   
   
2. Wahlin Scott B

   
   3/20/2015 12:03 PM

   The American Flag has a purpose as prescribed by The Flag Code. Once they touch the ground they should be burned. Do this nightly and send the bill to your boss. You can put whatever BS you want to on it, but it is rationalization and it is wrong. http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   3/20/2015 2:03 PM

   The only time we did something similar was for a veterans tournament ant we had flags representing the different branches of the military on our par 3's and we had a serviceman from each branch at the greens to hold the flag while they putted. We wouldn't even consider using American flags on every hole because of the issues it would bring about. Install a flag pole at the clubhouse and leave it at that. There are other ways to show you patriotism.

   
   
   
   
4. Jennifer Torres

   

   2 posts
   
   3/20/2015 2:03 PM

   Many of our staff including myself are military veterans and like the idea, just need proper way to keep them from hitting the ground and to educate all Americans in the pride we really should have for what it stands for.

   
   
   
   
5. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   3/20/2015 3:03 PM

   We put one of our bag racks from the range on the holes if we do that and most customers realize why it is there.
   
   I have also been told that a decorative flag like one used on a golf flag stick is not considered a real flag but rather a replica an is not subject to the rules and etiquette for flag use. Not everyone believes that though.

   
   
   
   
6. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   3/20/2015 6:03 PM

   Jennifer,
   
   The metal stands for sponsorship signs work great. They are easy to install and form an "H" at the top to allow the flagstick to rest on. Good luck.
   
   Jeff Sexton
   Evansville CC

   
   
   
   
7. James Schmid

   

   1 posts
   
   3/20/2015 6:03 PM

   Another way of looking at it is that using American flags on the Flagsticks is a gimmick, that in all reality is not necessary. I support displaying the flag, but maybe the notion that "oh wouldn't it be nice to put American flags on all of the flag sticks to make our July 4th tournament better" is more about us than it is about our desire to honor our nation and it's symbol. Perhaps if we are truly interested in displaying the symbol of our nation out of respect, we should keep the regular flags on the flag sticks, and find a more appropriate place to do so.
   
   If you put American flags on flagsticks, they are going to end up on the ground. If that bothers you, then don't do it

   
   
   
   
8. Wahlin Scott B

   
   3/21/2015 8:03 AM

   James Schmid said: Another way of looking at it is that using American flags on the Flagsticks is a gimmick, that in all reality is not necessary. I support displaying the flag, but maybe the notion that "oh wouldn't it be nice to put American flags on all of the flag sticks to make our July 4th tournament better" is more about us than it is about our desire to honor our nation and it's symbol. Perhaps if we are truly interested in displaying the symbol of our nation out of respect, we should keep the regular flags on the flag sticks, and find a more appropriate place to do so.
   
   If you put American flags on flagsticks, they are going to end up on the ground. If that bothers you, then don't do it

   
   
   Sometime cooler heads prevail. I prefer the eff off approach, but hey, "Get your dog off my lawn!"

   
   
   
   
9. Steve Nelson

   

   0 posts
   
   3/21/2015 12:03 PM

   Actual flag should not touch the ground. Why not use a stars & stripes or other americana themed flag that is not an actual flag instead?

   
   
   
   
10. Randall Boudinot

    

    4 posts
    
    3/22/2015 7:03 AM

    We put the American flags on our sticks for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Sept. 11th, and Veterans Day. We purchased a short pole that sticks in the ground that you lay the flag stick onto, so the flag doesn't touch the ground. I don't remember which golf course supply company sells them. I would check Standard Golf or Par Aid. Randy Boudinot Walnut Grove Country Club Dayton, Ohio

    
    
    
    
11. Charles Lafferty

    

    0 posts
    
    3/22/2015 3:03 PM

    Not true on the the proper etiquette, any representation of the flag, even in a table cloth decoration, falls under the strict guidelines of flag protocol. I thought this same thing and after some detailed research, realized we were doing it wrong and have since stopped putting the flags out as to not disrespect the stars and stripes. I have an original Navy seal with a bullet still lodged in his back and he pointed this out to me and he was right. Can be a very touchy subject for those who have paid dearly defending our flag and country. If you have to do it, find a local ROTC to station someone in uniform near the 18th green to tend the flag and make sure it doesn't hit the ground. Very classy and very easy to do with a free round of golf and lunch for the person doing the duty. Just a thought.

    
    
    
    
12. Wahlin Scott B

    
    3/23/2015 1:03 PM

    Charles Lafferty said: Not true on the the proper etiquette, any representation of the flag, even in a table cloth decoration, falls under the strict guidelines of flag protocol. I thought this same thing and after some detailed research, realized we were doing it wrong and have since stopped putting the flags out as to not disrespect the stars and stripes. I have an original Navy seal with a bullet still lodged in his back and he pointed this out to me and he was right. Can be a very touchy subject for those who have paid dearly defending our flag and country. If you have to do it, find a local ROTC to station someone in uniform near the 18th green to tend the flag and make sure it doesn't hit the ground. Very classy and very easy to do with a free round of golf and lunch for the person doing the duty. Just a thought.

    
    
    Wow, that is a seriously cool idea. I would pay them though and provide golf and lunch.

    
    
    
    
13. Schott Matthew

    
    3/24/2015 7:03 AM

    We use a 3ft piece of 1x1 with a "U" bolt screwed into the top, a spike in the bottom, a sign on the post and an announcement before the round. Never seen one of ours hit the ground.

    
    
    
    
14. Cecil Daniel

    

    0 posts
    
    3/24/2015 10:03 AM

    On the Fourth of July we use small American flags placed on either side of our tee markers. Nobody moves or touches them. The pin flag is our normal pin flag.

    
    
    
    
15. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    3/26/2015 5:03 PM

    I'm a veteran but by no means do I know everything. We put flags on every hole for appropriate holidays. We took old metal rope holders, the kind that have a spiral bent in them. We heated them up and bent them so you can lean a flag stick on them so the flag does not touch the ground. We post signs everywhere with a picture on how to use it.
    
    However, as a veteran, I am not offended when one of these touches the ground. For one it is a replica of a fla not a flag. Two, it was not done in a mean or hatred way.
    
    If this offends you and feel so strongly as to get upset and do something about it then you should stop people when they wear american flag bathing suits or shirts that represent an entire flag or the crap load of buildings that fly american flags throughout the night with no light on it or during storms etc.
    
    In other words, DO NOT TAKE THINGS SO PERSONAL

    
    
    
    
16. Mark Novotny

    

    0 posts
    
    3/27/2015 9:03 AM

    We decided to use the Seaborn Canvas http://www.seabornflags.com/home.html patriotic flag to replace the american flag. We then do not disrespect the American Flag and the golfers seem to appreciate the thought.