"I can’t stand looking at it" - Jim Nantz points out what annoys him about some pro-golfers

Golf commentator Jim Nantz recently shared his opinion about the AimPoint method of measuring the distance of the putt from the hole. The AimPoint method gained significant popularity after several golfers, including Adam Scott and Stacy Lewis, started using it to measure putt distances. However, the process can sometimes be time-consuming, which has made it somewhat controversial.

Nantz made an appearance on the latest episode of Golf Australia's The Thing About Golf podcast, where he shared his opinion on the AimPoint process. The golf analyst was critical of the method, especially because it often involves players standing with their backs to the hole. Nantz said (via Golf.com),

"Well, I’ll take the science to another level, beyond what you’re talking about with the equipment. The AimPoint mania that we see now today, it truly 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, they go through this process, where is the feel in it, you know?"

He added,

“I know you’re trying to win, you’re trying to find a shot over the course of four days that could make the difference. But you know, to me, if you play a lot of golf and you’re standing looking at a 20-footer, you know it’s a cup outside on the left, it’s the left edge, play the cup and a half. I mean, all this, is it really making a difference? Maybe it is. But I know one thing — I can’t stand looking at it."

The AimPoint process gained widespread attention in 2023 with a moment from Max Homa's play at the 2023 World Golf Championship Match Play. Homa was spotted using the AimPoint method to measure his putt. He was paired with Mackenzie Hughes, who appeared impatient while waiting for Homa to finish measuring.

This method has gained a lot of attention recently. It relies on physics to measure the slope of the green and helps golfers accurately judge their putts.

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What is the AimPoint method in golf?

The AimPoint method in golf helps professional golfers judge their putts more accurately. In this process, players first examine the green by straddling the ball’s path, about halfway to the hole.

Next, they calculate the slope they feel in the ground, using a scale from one to five. After determining the slope, the player stands behind the ball, closes one eye, and points their fingers outside the hole in the direction they aim to make the putt. The number of fingers used should correspond to the percentage of the slope they calculated.

Finally, the player judges the putt by closing one eye and taking the shot. If judged correctly, the ball is most likely to roll straight into the hole.