Nearest to Pin

Nearest to Pin, often abbreviated NTP, is one of the classic side competitions at amateur tournaments. It is almost always held on a specific par 3, because the tee shot there aims straight at the green. Only the first stroke counts, and the ball must usually come to rest on the green to qualify. Whoever is closest to the flag at that point writes their name on a board by the hole. At the end of the day, the closest tee shot wins a prize of its own, independent of the tournament result.

In practice the competition runs on simple means. An example: hole 7 is designated the NTP hole, and next to the green stands a marker board with a measuring tape. Your tee shot lands four metres in front of the flag; the best so far is six metres. You measure the distance, write in your name and mark the ball position with the arrow on the board. If a closer ball comes in later, your entry is crossed out. Strategically, this hole rewards the bold shot straight at the Pin Position, because a safe shot to the middle of the green counts for nothing in this competition.

A typical misconception: Nearest to Pin has no influence on your actual score. You can finish the NTP hole with a bogey and still win the side prize. Another popular confusion is with the Longest Drive, its counterpart on a long hole, where the longest tee shot on the fairway counts. Both competitions above all create excitement and talking points at the prize-giving.