This viral putting question is confusing golfers – here’s the answer!

Every so often, certain things in golf leave you questioning the very fabric of the sport. I’m not talking about mergers or golf ball rollbacks, I’m talking about a question posed on Reddit, that had some golfers confused about where they were aiming their putts.

Now, the golf forum on Reddit can actually be useful for players who want to improve their game. So, you might be thinking that this question relates to alignment when you’re standing over the ball and making sure your putter is on the right path.

But no. Instead, the question relates to green reading, and what the phrase ‘one cup left’ means. This could also work for ‘one cup right’ but for the purposes of this, we’ll stick with the original question.

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The original poster, who goes by the name of Captain Obvious, shows us a diagram, which looks like this.

He says that he’s been debating with his friends as to where they aim when they’re playing a putt that has a cup of break. It’s an important question too. If you’re playing a Texas Scramble, you all want to be on the same page about where you’re hitting your putts.

Believe it or not, this has well over one thousand comments, and has been widely debated on Instagram and Twitter.

There’s only one right answer. pic.twitter.com/eL8LTfig6q

— Golf Unfiltered (@GolfUnfiltered) September 9, 2024

One user, on the original Reddit post, said that he’s option 3, and that had nearly 200 upvotes on the platform, so he’s clearly not alone in that line of thinking.

It was a sentiment shared by Twitter user Steve Blubaugh, who said:

“It’s 3. When you aim for the actual hole on a straight putt you try and hit the centre of the hole. If it’s one hole to the left or right, you move that spot one hole diameter to the left or right.”

Interesting.

Despite searching for a while, I can’t find anyone who thinks the answer is number one. If you’re Captain Obvious’ playing partner who thinks that is indeed the correct answer, then please get in touch.

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However, there can only be one correct answer, and that is surely point two, a sentiment which the majority agree with.

Michael Kim, who has won on the PGA Tour, says that it’s point two. He even joked that if you’re picking number one, you shouldn’t be allowed on the golf course.

The wisdom of the PGA Tour pro here is surely correct, but it’s actually another Twitter user, hutch_golf, who best explains why two is the correct answer.

“It’s 2,” he says. “3 is half a cup, and 1 is a cup and a half. Otherwise “half a cup” would also mean “left edge” and I don’t think anyone’s ever been confused by that.”

A good point, which surely settles this debate once and for all. Right?

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor