Pin High
Also known as: pin high, what does pin high mean, hole high, flag high, pin-high
Pin high means your ball finished the same distance as the flag, level with it, even if it is off to the left or right. Your distance was right, so any miss was only in direction. Golfers also call it hole high.
Pin high describes distance, not accuracy. A ball 20 feet left of the hole but level with it is pin high. A ball right on line but 20 feet short is not.
Most golfers miss approach shots short. Their distances are based on their best strikes, and many shots are hit less solidly. So pin high is often a sign of good club selection.
If you are often short of the flag, try taking one more club. Track where your approach shots finish for a few rounds and see the pattern.
Tips by skill level
Note whether each approach finishes short, pin high or long. Most golfers find they are short.
Use carry averages, not best shots, for each club. Then check whether your pin-high rate improves.
Example
Her 7-iron finishes 15 feet right of the flag but level with it. Her partner says, "Nice, pin high." The distance was perfect, just a touch right.
Why it matters
Pin high shots show your club choice and distance control are working. Getting more approach shots pin high usually means shorter putts.
Common mistakes
- Choosing clubs based on your longest shots
- Calling a ball pin high when it is short of the flag
- Ignoring a pattern of short approach shots
Frequently asked questions
Is pin high good?
Yes, it means your distance was right. Only the direction was off, if at all.
What is the difference between pin high and on line?
Pin high is about distance, level with the flag. On line is about direction, straight at the flag.
Related terms
- Approach ShotAn approach shot is any shot hit toward the green to reach or set up the putting surface. It is usually a par 4's second shot, or a par 5's second or third.
- Golf Club DistancesThere is no single right distance for each club, since it depends mostly on your swing speed and how solidly you strike the ball. In USGA Best Tees research, the average male golfer hit a 7-iron about 138 yards and the average female golfer about 100 yards. Measure your own carry with each club and plan from those numbers, not from a chart.
- Distance ControlDistance control is adjusting how far the ball travels so it finishes near the target. In putting that means swing length and tempo; in the short game, carry distance.
- Playing to Pin Positions (Front, Back and Tucked Pins)For a back-left pin, take enough club to reach the middle of the green, then aim at the center or slightly left of it. Going long usually leaves a hard chip back down the slope. For any tucked pin, aim at the safe part of the green and let the putter do the rest.
Related guides & benchmarks
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