Pin Position
Pin position is the spot on the green where the hole is placed for the day.
Pin position changes on most courses every day. The greenkeeper moves the hole with a hole cutter, and the old hole is plugged shut with the piece of turf that was cut out. Many clubs mentally divide the green into zones and spread the positions across the week so that no single spot takes too much wear. Color codes on the Scorecard or on the pin itself will often tell you whether the hole is at the front, middle or back. The term flag position means the same thing.
For your game, the pin position is tactical information, not a minor detail. An example: today the hole is cut front left, directly behind a Bunker. The aggressive shot at the flag risks the bunker, while the smart shot to the middle of the green leaves you an uphill putt. When Reading the Green the position also matters, because traffic and wear accumulate around the hole.
A typical mistake is aiming rigidly at the pin without looking at the surroundings. A tough pin position near the edge of the green calls for discipline, not heroics. Professionals deliberately play to the fat side of the green on difficult pin placements. Also popular: ignoring the daily information. Before your round, check the notice board or the card in the pro shop — knowing the pin position saves you a stroke on several holes. More about the target itself can be found under Pin.
FAQ
How do I know where the hole is placed before my round?
Many clubs post the daily positions in the pro shop or at the first tee, and some print them as a mini green map. Sometimes the color code on the pin itself also reveals the zone. The two minutes at check-in are well spent, because they make the tactical decision easier for you on several holes.
How do I play a difficult pin position near the edge of the green?
With discipline instead of heroics. If the hole is cut directly behind a bunker or on the slope, the shot to the middle of the green is the smart choice — a long uphill putt almost always beats the bunker shot after a risky attack. Professionals call this playing to the fat side of the green.
Why does the pin position change every day at all?
So that traffic on the green is spread evenly and no single spot gets worn out too much. The greenkeeper moves the hole with a hole cutter and plugs the old one shut with the piece of turf that was cut out. As a side effect, the variety keeps the game fresh, because the same hole plays completely differently with a different read of the green.