Course Layout

Wicker Basket

A basket mounted on a flagstick used instead of a traditional flag.
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A wicker basket is a basket-shaped marker attached to the top of a flagstick in place of a fabric flag. Traditionally made from woven material and often resembling an inverted teardrop shape, it serves as a visual indicator of the hole’s location. Unlike flags, wicker baskets do not show wind direction, maintaining a traditional challenge by requiring players to judge wind conditions without visual assistance.

How Golfers Say It

"They use wicker baskets here."
"No flags, just baskets on the pins."
"Hard to read the wind with those baskets."

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Origin

Wicker baskets originated in traditional Scottish golf culture and were later adopted by select courses, most notably Merion Golf Club in the United States. They reflect an older design philosophy where minimal visual cues were provided to players.

Rules & Context

Wicker baskets serve the same functional purpose as flags by marking the hole’s location but are not addressed specifically in the Rules of Golf. Their use affects course difficulty by removing wind indicators, requiring players to assess conditions through other means such as feel and observation.

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Neil's Take

"It looks simple, but it actually makes the game tougher since you can’t rely on the flag to read the wind."

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some courses use wicker baskets instead of flags?

They provide a consistent visual marker while preventing players from using the flag to judge wind direction.

Are wicker baskets common in golf?

No, they are rare and mostly found at traditional or historic courses like Merion.

Do wicker baskets affect gameplay?

Yes, they make it harder to read wind conditions, adding an extra challenge to club selection and shot planning.

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