Why You Should NEVER Aim At FLAGS Again | Do this instead!
Target Smarter, Score Better: Why Pin Hunting Costs You Shots
Welcome, golfers! We're here on the fifth hole at Emerald Lakes, and what you can't always see on TV is the strategy behind playing a hole effectively. Today's lesson is crucial for lowering your scores and avoiding those dreaded big numbers: stop obsessing over the pin!
Take a look at this hole. We've got a back-left pin position – what we call a "sucker pin." What's the first thing many golfers do when they arrive at their ball? They laser the flag. They want to know the exact yardage to that little stick. But on a hole like this, that laser reading can be your downfall.
Why? Because if you aim directly at this back-left pin and hit it just five meters long, you're tumbling down a hill into serious trouble. Long and left is the absolute worst place to be on this hole, with a nasty bunker waiting. Even long right isn't ideal.
The brilliance of this hole, designed by Brian Marshall, is the generous, wide-open area front right. This is where you want to be! It gives you a massive margin for error. You can mishit it short, long, left, or right, and you'll likely still be on the green with a manageable putt for par or a comfortable bogey at worst.
The reality is, everyone's shots have some degree of dispersion. When you aim directly at a challenging pin like this back-left one, any shot that deviates left or long is heading straight for disaster, leading to doubles, triples, and a ruined scorecard.
Highlighted Lessons:
Forget the Pin: Stop fixating on the flag. It's a small target that encourages high-risk shots.
Aim for the Big, Open Areas: Identify the most forgiving section of the green on each hole – often the middle or a specific quadrant away from hazards and difficult pin positions.
Maximize Your Margin for Error: By aiming for the larger area, you allow for slight mishits while still leaving yourself a reasonable putt.
Think Google Maps, Not Binoculars: Imagine looking down at the hole from above. Where is the safest, most sensible place to land your ball, regardless of the pin's location?
Bogey is Your Friend: Especially on tougher holes or with challenging pin positions, playing for bogey by aiming at the safe area is smart golf. It avoids the big numbers that inflate your score.
So, the next time you're on the course, resist the urge to laser the pin immediately. Instead, take a step back, assess the entire green, and identify the big, wide-open area that gives you the best chance for a stress-free par or a comfortable bogey. Target smarter, and watch your scores improve!
Ready to play smarter golf and lower your scores? Book a lesson with Paul Williamson today!
