Where do you aim on the green?

[acegolfer]

I'm sure it depends on many factors. So what's your strategy?

I always aimed at the center of green or the fattest part of the green. My GIR may be higher than otherwise, but I 3-putt very often, which is the 2nd most frustrating thing on the course (chunking a shot being the first). Recently, I have been aiming at a middle point between the pin and the center of green, which seems to produce a better result.

2 weeks ago, I have learned from here not to go after back pins. So for back pins, I use distance to the center.

Any tips that you want to share?

[Jtjohns]

I pretty much always aim according to my misses. What I mean is, if I am having a day where my shot is fading, I'll aim a few yards left of the pin and vice versa.

Thankfully, my game is improving big time and those misses are getting smaller and smaller!

[James_Black]

I aim at the pin.

depending where it is I'll try to draw/fade it in.

I know aiming at the pin isn't the best idea but if I aim for the centre I'm not as accurate.

[acegolfer]

I aim at the pin.

Any exceptions to this rule?

[c. lassiter]

Generally I figure out the worst place to miss and then aim to avoid that.

[James_Black]

Any exceptions to this rule?

yes if the pin is in a crazy location but most of the time I'll shoot at it and hope I can spin the ball enough to stop it dead

[DavidFehertysBike]

I aim in the middle of the green 90% of the time. When i do go after a pin, my target is usually 5 yards or so left or right of the pin. Whichever side has the most room on it. I dont like putts that break right, so i try to plan ti avoid giving myself one when i have sufficient knowledge of the greens im playing.

[jamo]

In the direction of the pin. I don't take dead aim, but I usually aim sort of in the direction of the flag. Unless there is a lot of wind, or a bunker, or my swing is not doing well.

[Deryck Griffith]

I aim for the back center, middle center or front center - the three variances are all based on the flag position and executed with the distance told to me on my gps...for example, I played on Saturday and I had 155 left to the green center. The flag was at the back left of the green and the distance to the back of the green was 180. So instead of a 9 iron to the center of the green, I pulled out my 7iron and played back center of the green (flag was back left). I play the centers because I don't get suckered into firing at tucked away pins. I landed the ball 15 feet from the pin and two putted for my par...(par 5).

If I had gone for the tucked pin, there is a chance that I could have gone into the water just behind. With the center, I at least have room left or right in case I hit a bad shot...the percentages are way higher. As for the distance, if I didn't pay attention to the back distance and played my 9 iron from the 150 stake, then I woudl have landed in the middle of the green, probably rolled back and had a 40 foot put.

I think at our levels, playing the centers are the best approach and the only other variance should be distance...even the pros don't fire at most pins...

[TourSpoon]

General rule is middle of the green, under the hole.

If the pin is left, I aim middle and my natural draw usually takes it left. If the pin is right I will aim at the pin knowing that I will probably be left of it (and then push it and short side myself).

[The Recreational Golfer]

If the pin is way off to one side, I'll aim halfway between the center of the green and the pin. If the pin is more in the center of the green, I'll aim right at it, unless that brings a hazard into play. My first thought in hitting into a green is how to avoid the hazards, then second, where the pin is.

[kpaulhus]

If I am going to aim for a pin, there needs to be a safe spot off of the green so I can chip it close/hole out if I miss. If there is no safe spot I play to the front/middle/back in the center and just take my 2 putts.

[Gerald]

I prefer to come in from a safe side, so if a flag is right I try to fade with a landing zone in the center of the green and if it is on the left, I just play a safe shot the the center of the green or if there is a nice flat fairway on the left, still try to fade it in.

Another thing that has really lowered my average score is taking one club extra, most aproaches come up at least 10 yrds short.

Go to the green of a let's say 380-400 yds par 4 and note where the approaches end up, I bet 75% or even more are 10 - 20 yds short ! Which is because most players think they will shoot super shots into the green ..... they don't !

[allin]

In the direction of the pin. I don't take dead aim, but I usually aim sort of in the direction of the flag. Unless there is a lot of wind, or a bunker, or my swing is not doing well.

To me this is about knowing your limitations, and the course you are playing on. My home course I know which greens release, which landing areas will kick the ball towards or away from the hole etc. I am a poor sand player so out of the rough I will take a long put rather than risk the sand etc.

[MMouse]

I aim at the pin.

Same, middle of the green and try to draw or fade it. IF the pin is in the middle of the green ( how often does that happen lol ) I will set up slightly right of the middle and play my draw as it will draw in to the pin or my miss will be straight and still on the green.

[JML22]

Depends with what club
89Wedges at the pin
7 at the pin sometimes
rest get it on the dance floor without any trouble.