right at the pin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right at the pin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, particularly golf, to indicate a precise location near the hole on the green. Example: "After a perfect drive, my second shot landed right at the pin, setting me up for an easy birdie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But he goes right at the pin".

The New York Times - Sports

"Every single shot was right at the pin," she added.

The New York Times - Sports

It was right at the pin, but it just wasn't hard enough".

The New York Times - Sports

Hoping to birdie the hole to cut Phil Mickelson's lead to one stroke, he hit a 9-iron right at the pin.

The New York Times - Sports

2.40pm BST Clarke didn't win this tournament once by doing nothing, and he powers out from the rough, arrowing his ball right at the pin.

The Guardian - Sport

Undaunted, Bradley was firing approach shots right at the pin and sank birdie putts on Nos. 3, 5 and 6 and was in the lead at six under until a bogey on No. 7 dropped him back behind Jason Dufner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He skelps an iron from the pine needles down the right, and arrows it at the pin.

The Guardian - Sport

2.37pm BST Poulter and Watson are making a meal of the short par-three 4th, which is quite a test today, the pin right at the front of the hideously sloping and guarded green, where anything but laser-guided accuracy is certain to lead to manic depression.

The Guardian - Sport

A yard to the right, and that was straight at the pin, an eagle chance on the cards.

The Guardian - Sport

The pin's right at the back; getting down in two from there won't be the easiest thing he's ever done.

The Guardian - Sport

Phil Mickelson demonstrates just how irritating / entertaining this sort of thing can be on 2. The pin's right at the back, a stride or so away from a slope that leads the more aggressive / inaccurate golfer down into a world of pain.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right at the pin" to describe a golf shot that is aimed directly and precisely at the flagstick. It's effective for conveying accuracy and intention.

Common error

Avoid using "right at the pin" in contexts other than golf or similar target-based activities. It may sound awkward or confusing if applied metaphorically to non-sporting situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right at the pin" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate direction and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily usable. For example, "He aimed right at the pin."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "right at the pin" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase, predominantly used in the context of golf to describe a shot aimed with precision directly toward the flagstick. While deemed neutral in register, it is most frequently found in news and media coverage of sports. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Alternatives include "directly at the pin" and "straight for the pin", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Although uncommon, its clear and concise nature makes it an effective way to convey accuracy in target-oriented scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directly at the pin

Emphasizes the straightness of the direction toward the pin.

exactly at the pin

Highlights the precision of the location relative to the pin.

straight for the pin

Focuses on the trajectory and intention of aiming for the pin.

on a line to the pin

Describes the path of the ball in relation to the pin.

aimed at the pin

Emphasizes the golfer's intent and direction.

targeting the pin

Highlights the act of choosing the pin as a target.

in line with the pin

Indicates alignment between the ball and the pin.

right on the flag

Uses a synonym ('flag') for the pin, maintaining the same meaning.

close to the pin

Shifts the focus to proximity rather than direct targeting.

near the hole

A more general phrase indicating nearness to the hole, not necessarily a direct shot.

FAQs

How can I use "right at the pin" in a sentence?

You can use "right at the pin" to describe a golf shot aimed directly at the flagstick, like "Her approach shot went "directly at the pin", nearly resulting in a hole-in-one".

What does "right at the pin" mean in golf?

"Right at the pin" signifies that a golfer aimed their shot with precision toward the flagstick (pin) on the green. It indicates accuracy and intention in targeting the hole.

Which is correct, "right at the pin" or "directly at the pin"?

Both "right at the pin" and "directly at the pin" are correct and convey the same meaning: a shot aimed straight toward the flagstick. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What's a similar phrase to "right at the pin"?

A similar phrase to "right at the pin" is "straight for the pin", which emphasizes the trajectory and intent of the shot toward the flagstick.