[PHOTO: J.D. Cuban]
Tour pros seem to always miss in the right spots, but how? Most of the time they aim away from trouble and curve their shots towards the risky spots, being careful not to over-curve them.
If the pin is tucked on the left side [above], pros know they don’t want to miss left, on the short side, so they aim at the middle of the green and work the ball towards the hole. A great example of this idea is on the 12th hole at Augusta National, especially when the pin is on the right side of the green. Players aim towards the middle or left part of the green and try to work the ball slightly closer to the pin. This helps ensure they don’t miss right, in Rae’s Creek.
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Amateurs often go directly at the pin, leading to short-sided misses. Make your target bigger by aiming at the safe side of the green. If you curve your shot towards the hole – great shot! If not, you’re still on the green.
Mark Blackburn was voted No.1 by his peers on Golf Digest‘s 2026-2027 ranking of The 50 Best Teachers in America. In Blackburn’s new book, The Coaching Code, he explains the concepts he has used in coaching dozens of tour players, including Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa. Blackburn is a Golf Digest teaching professional.
