Distances to the green: front, center, back

The three distances

• Front: the distance to the front edge of the green. The minimum carry to reach it.
• Center: the distance to the middle of the green. The most useful reference when you don’t know where the flag is.
• Back: the distance to the back edge of the green. Not to be exceeded, especially with trouble behind.

The gap between front and back tells you how deep the green is: 30 meters of depth leaves far more margin than 15.

Which one to look at?

• Unknown flag position: aim for the center, the safest choice.
• Front flag: look at the front distance and add a few meters.
• Back flag: start from the center, keeping the back as your limit.
• Hazard in front of the green (water, bunker): make sure you carry the front distance.
• Out of bounds or a slope behind: never aim beyond the back.

What the rules say

The Rules of Golf (Rule 4.3) allow devices that give distances, such as a GPS app or a rangefinder, unless a Local Rule for the competition prohibits them. Features that measure elevation changes or recommend a club are not allowed in competition.

If in doubt, check the Local Rules posted at the clubhouse.

How accurate is it?

The GPS of an iPhone or Apple Watch is usually accurate to within a few meters, a little less under trees or at the start of the round. That is more than enough to choose a club; to hit a flag to the meter, nothing beats a rangefinder.

Distances in BirdiePot

During the round, BirdiePot shows the front, center and back of the green for the current hole, on iPhone and on your wrist with Apple Watch, in meters or yards. Green outlines come from OpenStreetMap: on mapped courses, no setup is needed. The app does not measure elevation and does not recommend clubs.