Ever wonder how pros read greens so effortlessly? The secret might be AimPoint. This method has become a game-changer, used by top golfers like Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley, Lydia Ko, and Justin Rose in PGA Tours. AimPoint claims half of the world’s top 20 golfers rely on it to line up tricky putts. Indeed, anyone who has watched televised golf over the last 10 or so years has seen at least one player using it.

Whether you’re a casual golfer or a seasoned pro, this technique has been a key part of many players’ routines. To keep it short, AimPoint is a green-reading method where a player uses their feet to determine the slope level of the green, and then, depending on that slope, they hold up one to four fingers in front of their eyes relative to the hole to determine the aim point. One finger means a small slope, while four fingers would be a significant one.

While the system works for many, it indeed slows down the pace of play. And it is not unknown that the PGA Tour has been a victim of the glacial pace of play lately. The vast majority of professional golfers are slow, even those who don’t use AimPoint, but the slowness is far more noticeable when a player is using the system. So, the backlash against it is immense, be it former US Open champion Lucas Glover addressing it earlier this month, or  American commentator Jim Nantz. Nantz is especially furious with AimPoint.

Having been the lead broadcaster for the Masters for 35 years and a fixture in the booth for countless PGA Tour events over the last three-plus decades, Nantz has seen all things golf. But seems like nothing disgusted him more than AimPoint. “It really drives me crazy when you see their backs to the hole, and they’re trying to feel the break, and they walk another five feet and they do it again,” Nantz said. “They go through this process [but] where’s the feel in it?” he had said back in October 2024.

He acknowledged they were trying to win and find that one shot over four days. However, he felt that when facing a 20-footer, aiming a cup outside the left or playing it a cup and a half was the way to go. He questioned if all the adjustments made a difference, admitting he wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t stand looking at it. Now, his rant about the same process went viral all over the internet once again.

After the Genesis Invitational concluded, Golf Digest senior writer Alex Myers reported, “That’s not a new dance step he’s doing there, turning around, spinning around a couple of times. That’s AimPoint.” No one hates AimPoint more than Jim Nantz. Even Ryan Ballengee took to his official X account and wrote, “Jim Nantz unleashed against AimPoint, and I think it’s hilarious.” 

Well, whether AimPoint should be banned or remain in gameplay is still a question of concern. While some players believe it affects the pace of play, others have taken the comments quite personally.

Top Comment by John Geremia

It’s ridiculous. Aimpoint and the 5 hour rounds. Golf is awful to watch. I don’t watch it. Terrible product the...more

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Collin Morikawa lashes out as US Open Champ calls for banning AimPoint in PGA tours

On February 4, Lucas Glover suggested that banning AimPoint would help speed up play on tour. He expressed frustration with the green-reading method used by Collin Morikawa and many other top players. “It needs to be banned,” he said. “It takes forever.” Morikawa couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how Glover himself benefited from another controversial golf practice. Morikawa, a fan of AimPoint, believes the method has “1,000 percent helped” him.

When asked about Lucas Glover’s objection to AimPoint and its effect on the pace of play, Morikawa threw a playful jab. He said, “I don’t have anything against Lucas, but if we’re banning AimPoint, we should ban long-putters,” which caused laughter in the media center at the Genesis Invitational. Glover had struggled with putting for much of his career before switching to a long putter. The change paid off, helping him win twice in 2023 and secure a spot in the Tour Championship. His back-to-back wins also ensured his PGA Tour card through 2025. Despite this, Morikawa disagrees with Glover’s view on AimPoint.

The two-time major winner strongly defended the practice, making it clear he believes AimPoint remains beneficial and should not be banned. He mentioned how Aimpoint does get longer if you get it wrong. But, he discussed the issue surrounding the opinion behind the move.

“I think there’s a respect issue. I think some players might get a little bit too close to the hole, and I get that. When you get too close to the hole when someone else is putting it, I don’t want my line and putt to go over someone else’s foot and marks. But are you going to tell other players not to walk around the hole when we’re picking up putts?” Morikawa said.

Morikawa explained that AimPoint helps him read a putt and start his lines, similar to reading from behind the hole or ball. He believes many don’t fully understand how AimPoint works. Hence, it becomes difficult to determine whether it is right or wrong. While admitting it may add a few extra seconds, he emphasized players must understand the game’s pace.

They need to take responsibility if they’re slowing things down. What are your points on it? Let us know in the comments section below!