I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that the penalty flags are pretty costly to buy from a retailer ($7-8each). I've seen some older officials with "older" flags; so I got the idea of trying to make my own. So I got gold rip-stop nylon, some packing tape, and other stuff (total about $12); I ended up making about 8 flags for that price.

So what I want to start is a discussion about other people's attempts (successful or not) in making flags/beanbags. What are the best materials (weights, fabric, etc.) for making these wonderful tools of the trade?

I'm curious where you found some gold ripstop? Also don't weight your flags with anything too heavy or dangerous, I worked with one guy who used nuts (ie nuts and bolts) to weight his flag.

Oww!! I guess a golfball is out of the question :)

Jo-Anne Fabrics (yes, you may be the only male in the store, just be confident!!) has about anything. I think there nationwide.

Ohh yeah, if you're following the officiating manual, then your penalty markers must be 15x15. But if you're really feeling good then make it 30x30 or so, maybe even put some red/white/blue streamers on the tail. :p


You could also use those "popper" things that you buy at firework stands to weight 'em down! That'd be a nice surprise, just don't fall on the flag! :p

lol popper things would be interesting. Why not just use sand?

Actually, I've tried it and it doesn't work. The golf ball just isn't heavy enough to fly with the fabric attached to it. I took the cover off the ball, so that it wouldn't be so large but it just didn't work.

I have not bought a flag in years. All cloth stores or the fabric dept. at Wal-Mart sell gold rip-stop material. I weight mine with shotgun pellets purchased at a sporting good store that sells reloading supplies. A lifetime supply costs next to nothing. Aquarium gravel also works well. Make a small pouch approx. 2" square to hold the pellets, Place the pouch containing the pellets in the center of the flag and sew a patch over it with a strong double stitch.

For a small amount of $ you can buy 2 differrent widths of black elastic and some velcro to make down indicators.

Martha Stewart, eat your heart out!

I'm so old that I can remember when flags were red. I still think they'd be more visible on a dry field in the afternoon.