Sam.....don't know if you were the one who wrote that last 2 line comment......but if so....
You & I have hit almost the SAME number of Ranked rounds.....a bit over 5,000. You have approx. 580 holed approach shots vs. my 1,002 holed approach shots. I seriously doubt that I would have made all of those "holed approach shots"...had I not been pulling the Flagstick each time before attempting my shots.
And, IMO, you should learn how to putt "down hill"...using the Flagstick as a backstop is the best method to handle down hill putts......just my opinion.
Well...my putting percentage "could & should" be much higher than it is...but over the last 6 months, I have mostly been using very inexpensive balls or Free WGT balls to play with.....and I have never used the "putter pal" here on WGT, so a little too much guessing on my putts.
I do often times leave the Flagstick in the Hole while putting......but even still, if you hit your putt too hard...it can bounce off of that Flagstick...and lose a stroke.
I just happen to believe that the Flagstick "crowds the Hole"......so, I do pull it before every attempted shot when I'm OFF the Green.
Good Luck to You.
SoCalJim23