Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.
There’s no shortage of information available to golfers these days. With the amount of technology at our fingertips at all times, nothing is left to speculation.
All of this info is great for high-level players, but when average Joes try the same strategies, it can result in information overload. This paralysis by analysis makes all of those advanced-level insights a moot point.
In today’s edition of Play Smart, former PGA Tour pro and co-host of GOLF’s Subpar Colt Knost explains how ignoring one of these key pieces of info can help you shoot lower scores. Check it out below.
Why you should ignore the pin sheet
One of the key pieces of info that pros receive before every round they play is the pin sheet showing the hole location on every green. Lots of nicer courses that recreational players frequent have these sheets as well, allowing weekend warriors to play as the pros do.
But is knowing the exact location of every pin position actually that helpful? Knost says it can actually do more harm than good.
“I’m going to give you a piece of advice,” Knost says. “Wad this thing up and throw it away. Get yourself a number to the middle of the green and that’s the number you should shoot for.”
By aiming for the middle of the green — both in depth and width — you maximize the amount you can miss your target by and still hit the green. For example, if you push a shot when the pin is tucked right, you will miss the green. But if you push a shot while aiming for the middle of the green, you will likely still find the putting surface.
“I can promise you right now,” Knost says. “If you ignore the hole location, hit to the middle of the green and two-putt for par, it’ll lower your scores.”
So next time you see a pin sheet on the first tee box, throw it in the trash. If you focus on the number to the center of the green instead, you’ll be well on your way to shooting lower numbers.
