Landing a tee shot next to the pin is one of the best feelings in golf, and winning the Closest to the Pin contest makes it even sweeter. But when the pressure is on and your group is gathered around the green, knowing exactly how to measure decides who gets the bragging rights. This guide provides a clear, official process for measuring closest to the pin, so you can handle the situation with confidence, accuracy, and good sportsmanship every single time.
Before we pull out the tape measure, let's make sure everyone is on the same page about the game itself. A "Closest to the Pin" (often abbreviated as CTP or KP for "Klosest to the Pin") is a side game typically held on a par-3 hole during a tournament, charity scramble, or even just a friendly weekend round.
The goal is straightforward: from the designated tee box, the player whose tee shot comes to rest nearest the hole wins. It’s a test of pure iron play and precision. Typically, there’s a prize involved, which might be anything from sleeve of golf balls to a cash prize from the entry pool. The winner is determined by a single measurement, but for that measurement to be valid, a very important condition must be met first: your ball must be on the putting green.
You don't need a lot of gear, but having the right tools makes the process smooth and accurate. Usually, the tournament organizer or the first group of the day is responsible for placing these at the designated par-3.
Precision matters here, not just in your tee shot but in the measurement itself. Following a consistent procedure eliminates debates and ensures fairness for all players throughout the day. Here are the three most important rules.
This is the first and most critical checkpoint. For a shot to be eligible for a Closest to the Pin contest, it must have come to rest on the putting surface. A fantastic shot that stops two inches from the cup but is sitting on the fringe or in the rough does not qualify. It doesn’t matter how close it looks, if it’s not on the closely mown area of the green, it is out of the competition. Always confirm the ball is on the putting surface before proceeding with any measurement.
The measurement is not taken from the flagstick. The flagstick can lean and is not perfectly centered, which would create inconsistencies. The correct procedure is to measure from the edge of the hole closest to the golf ball. By using the rigid edge of the cup as the starting point, every measurement is standardized. Hooking the end of the tape measure onto the lip of the hole ensures a stable and repeatable starting point.
A golf ball is spherical, but it rests on a single, tiny point. To measure accurately, you must identify this spot. Before you pick up your ball, place a tee in the ground or a flat ball marker directly behind or beside your ball. This marks its precise location so that when you lift it, you have an exact point to measure to. Eyeballing the spot after lifting the ball opens the door to inaccuracies.
You’ve hit a beautiful iron shot that's inside the current leader's. Now it’s time to prove it. Here’s how to perform the measurement like a pro.
Walk up to your ball. Is it fully on the putting green? If yes, proceed to the next step. If it’s even slightly on the fringe, congratulate yourself on a nice shot but know that it’s not eligible for the prize.
If there's already a proximity marker on the green with a name on it, your shot must be visually closer to be worth measuring. If it is, take a golf tee and push it into the green right next to your ball to mark its location. Now you can pick your ball up.
Take the metal end of the tape measure and hook it onto the lip inside the cup, on the side of the hole that is nearest to your marked ball position. Have one member of your group hold the tape securely against the edge of the hole to prevent it from slipping.
Walk the tape measure over to the tee marking your ball's spot. Pull the tape taut so it is straight and flat against the green. Do not let it sag in the middle, as this will add length to the measurement and go against you. The tape should form a straight line from the edge of the cup to the ball marker.
Kneel down and read the measurement at the center of the tee. Announce the distance clearly to your playing partners in feet and inches (e.g., “Seven feet, four inches”). Getting a second opinion from someone in your group is a good habit to confirm the reading.
If your distance is shorter than the one currently written on the marker, you are the new leader. Erase or cross out the old name and distance. Clearly write your name and your new, shorter distance on the card. Then, pick up the proximity marker signOut of the ground and place it exactly where your tee was marking your ball's spot. Your tee comes out, and the official sign goes in. If your shot was not closer, simply put the marker back where you found it, pick up your tee, and continue play.
Errors can easily turn a proud moment into a moment of confusion. Here are a few common slip-ups to watch for:
Running a contest smoothly is also about respecting your fellow golfers and the course.
Properly measuring the closest to the pin comes down to a simple, repeatable process: make sure the ball is on the green, mark its location, and measure in a straight, flat line from the nearest edge of the cup. Following these steps ensures fairness and eliminates any doubt, letting you focus on celebrating a great shot.
While we've focused on measuring the results, hitting those prize-winning shots in the first place comes from smart on-course decisions. Understanding the conditions, knowing your yardages, and picking the right club is how great shots happen. I’m proud of how Caddie AI simplifies golf strategy by providing instant, expert-level advice on every shot, helping you choose the right club and target with more confidence. Our goal is to take the guesswork out of your game so you have to pull that tape measure out of your bag far more often.
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