A Closest to the Pin contest is one of the most exciting side games in golf, turning a single tee shot into a moment of high-stakes fun. Often called a CTP or KP, this simple challenge gives every player in a tournament or casual round a legitimate chance to be a winner. In this guide, we'll walk through exactly what Closest to the Pin means, how the official rules work, and most importantly, pro-level strategies to help you stick your next shot and take home the prize.
At its heart, a Closest to the Pin contest is a competition held on a specific par-3 hole during a round of golf. The objective is straight forward: of all the players in the event, whoever hits their tee shot closest to the cup wins. The one major rule that almost always applies is that your ball must come to rest on the putting green to be eligible. A shot that ends up on the fringe or in the rough, even if it's just an inch from the hole, typically doesn't count.
You’ll find these contests everywhere, from large-scale charity scrambles and corporate outings to your regular weekly league or even just a friendly game between friends trying to add a little extra something to the round. The beauty of the CTP is its instant gratification and fairness. It doesn't matter if you're a scratch golfer or a 25-handicap, a single, well-executed iron shot is all it takes to beat everyone else. This element of inclusivity is what makes it a staple of group golf events.
While the concept is simple, there's a standard procedure for running a CTP contest that ensures fairness and clarity for everyone involved. Whether you're setting one up or playing in your first, understanding the process is an advantage. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.
The organizers of the event will designate one (or sometimes more) of the course's par-3 holes as the contest hole. Par-3s are the logical choice because all players are hitting from the same teeing ground and attempting to land their ball on the green - the perfect setup for a fair comparison.
Before the first group plays the hole, a "proximity marker" is placed near the green. This is typically a small sign attached to a metal spike. The sign will have space to write a player's name and the distance they measured. Often, a small measuring tape is attached to the marker itself, making it a self-contained contest kit.
As each group arrives at the designated hole, they play their tee shots as they normally would. The moment of truth happens once all players have hit. Anyone in the group who has successfully landed their ball on the green takes a closer look to see if their shot might be the closest of the day so far.
If a golfer believes their ball is closer than the current leader's posted distance (or if they are the first person of the day to hit the green), it's time to measure. Here's a quick guide to getting it right:
If a new leader is established, they write their name (and often their full group) and the new, shorter distance on the proximity marker card. They then move the marker from the previous spot and stick it in the ground precisely where their ball came to rest. This now becomes the point to beat for all subsequent groups. It’s a good bit of etiquette to mark the spot with a tee or pitch mark repairer first, place the marker, then pick up the golf ball.
At the end of the event, the coordinator will pick up the marker, and the final name on the card is declared the winner!
Knowing the rules is half the battle, the other half is execution. Hitting a great iron shot under pressure takes technique, but hitting it strategically is what often wins the prize. Here are some coaching tips to help you knock it stiff.
This is perhaps the most fundamental piece of advice for hitting great iron shots. Golfers often know their "total distance" with a 7-iron (e.g., 150 yards), but they're less certain of their "carry distance" (how far the ball flies in the air before it starts to roll).
On a par-3, especially one with a bunker, water, or a false front, the carry distance is everything. You need to fly the ball far enough to clear the trouble and land safely on the green. A shot that carries 145 yards and has 5 yards of roll is very different from one that carries 152 yards and has a little backspin. Spend some time on a driving range, ideally with a launch monitor, and make a note of your average carry distance for every iron in your bag. This knowledge is power.
The scorecard might say 150 yards, but that’s just the starting point. Elite players make their club choice by considering several environmental factors:
This is a strategic concept that separates amateurs from experienced players. On many par-3s, chasing the flagstick is the riskiest play you can make. Course architects love to place pins in “sucker” locations - tucked behind bunkers, near the edge of the green next to a water hazard, or on a tiny shelf.
Your goal is to win CTP, but your first priority must be to hit the green. The safest and smartest play is often to aim for the center a large section of the putting surface. If the pin is on the right side of the green with a massive bunker guarding it, the correct aiming point is 15-20 feet left of the hole, in the heart of the green. A 20-foot putt is a fantastic result and gives you a chance to win. A ball in the bunker guarantees you lose the contest and likely make bogey or a dreaded “other." Play it smart, not heroically.
Once you’ve selected your club and your target, the physical work is mostly done. The final step is mental. There’s a natural tendency to get quick or try to swing too hard on a prize hole, which almost always leads to a poor strike. Trust your process:
While the standard CTP is most popular, you may encounter fun twists on the format:
The "Closest to the Pin" contest is a fantastic tradition that brings a shot of competitive energy to any round. It distills golf down to a single moment of precision: hit your tee shot on the green, nearest to the hole. Winning comes down to combining smart, strategic thinking - like choosing the right club for the conditions and aiming for a safe target - with a single, committed, and confident swing.
Mastering these on-course decisions - calculating for wind and elevation, choosing a smart target away from trouble, and confidently picking the perfect club under pressure - is a skill that takes years to develop. This is exactly where we designed Caddie AI to help. When you step to the CTP tee box, you can tell the app the exact distance, wind, and pin location and get an expert-level club recommendation and aiming strategy in seconds. The whole point is to remove the guesswork on these critical shots, so you can stand over the ball with total confidence and make your best swing.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
