I know in an earlier column you said the research shows a slight advantage in pulling the pin when we putt, however, the advantage is quite minimal. Although I prefer to have the pin out, I often leave it in when each of my playing partners leave it in. I think I subtly feel I am taking up unnecessary time by asking someone to pull it for me and put it back, when no one else is doing that. When I don’t pull the pin, my mind starts questioning my choice and I feel mentally distracted. When I do ask someone to pull the pin, when everyone else is leaving it in, I feel I should just leave it in as well. I know this may sound silly, but my thoughts about pulling the pin are messing with my putting. Please advise.
I offer you pull the pin each time you putt if it helps you focus your thoughts on your putt. It’s not silly. It is a significant individual choice which affects your confidence in the shot. Avoid letting other players make the choice for you based on what you think they may be thinking. When you are confident and mentally focused on your target you have the best chance of putting the ball in the hole.
It may be your playing partners like the pin in because they are using the pin as their target, but you may prefer to see the back of the cup as yours. It doesn’t actually matter why someone else is leaving the pin in. What matters is that your putting routine suits you. If you prefer the pin out, pull it out or ask to have it pulled. Your preference will likely make a difference in your shot. If you leave it in, when you prefer it out, you are making it mentally harder for you to play to your potential.
Off the course
Our behaviors and decisions we make on the golf course usually demonstrate how we think, feel and act in situations off the golf course. By not asking for what you want on the green, demonstrates a form of people pleasing. You may want to question whether there are different areas in your life where you may be deferring to others, thinking their comfort is more worthy than yours. People pleasing does not serve you or the people you are trying to please. When we people please we deny ourselves of something that may be of significant benefit and value to us. In addition, others are denied the chance of getting to know the “real” you.
A great question and a great answer, thanks it has made me feel much better about taking the pin out which I prefer when putting short putts.
I prefer the pin out and have found the majority of players do too. Occasionally, we have someone who wants it in and we accommodate them, sometimes by letting them go first.