Mashy Closest to the Pin Mode
Closest to the pin in Mashy is a tee-shot contest: you hit one tee shot on each of the course's par 3s, the distance from the hole in feet is measured each time, and the feet add up. The lowest total wins.
There's no putting, no chipping and no second chance. It's the quickest mode in the game and the purest test of your iron play.
How it works
- Pick a course at the top of the game menu, then choose closest to the pin.
- On each par 3 you get one swing with the three-tap meter.
- Where the ball stops, its distance to the hole is recorded in feet.
- After the last par 3, your feet are added together for your total.
Because the mode only uses par 3s, a course with more par 4s gives you fewer shots. Dogleg Downs, with its five par-4 doglegs, makes for a short contest. A course made mostly of par 3s gives you a longer one.
It's based on the real-world side game, usually played on one par 3 at a club day or charity event. Closest to the pin explained covers how that version works.
Scoring and coins
| Result | What you get |
|---|---|
| Each shot | Its distance in feet added to your total |
| Tee shot inside 3 feet | +1 coin |
| Lowest total | Top of the leaderboard |
A ball that reaches the cup won't drop: in Mashy only a putt can drop, so even a perfect tee shot lips out. The goal is to stop it as close as you can.
Coins from closest to the pin count towards the usual cap of 20 coins a day from play.
Choosing the club
Each Mashy club has a set carry distance with the stock irons, which makes club choice a sum, not a guess:
| Club | Carry |
|---|---|
| 7 iron | 150 yds |
| 8 iron | 138 yds |
| 9 iron | 126 yds |
| Pitching wedge | 112 yds |
| Sand wedge | 88 yds |
| Lob wedge | 66 yds |
Then adjust. Less power means a shorter shot, and the dotted notch on the meter shows the power needed to reach your aim spot. On a short hole, a full lob wedge is often easier to control than a soft sand wedge.
Remember that the ball bounces and rolls after it lands. On a firm green a full-power shot that lands right on the pin will run past. Aiming to land a little short of the hole often finishes closer.
Wind
Check the wind indicator before every shot. A headwind knocks the ball down and it comes up short. A tailwind carries it further. A crosswind pushes it sideways, so aim off into it. On a windy course like Salty Links this is most of the skill. For the physics, see how wind affects a golf ball.
Timing the third tap
Your third tap sets the direction. Too early pulls the ball left, too late pushes it right, and missing it altogether tops the ball. In this mode one topped shot can add a huge number of feet, so a steady, unhurried rhythm beats trying to be fast.
If one side of the green has water or a bunker, aim slightly towards the safer side. A ball 15 feet away on the green beats one in the pond.
Comparing with friends
Logged-in players see the course leaderboard after the round, with TODAY and ALL-TIME views. Your best closest-to-the-pin round also shows to your friends in the Clubhouse, and you can share your result to X, LinkedIn, Facebook, WhatsApp or copy it.
Try it in Mashy
Open Mashy, pick a course and choose closest to the pin. It takes a few minutes, which makes it a good warm-up before a full round. For more on the real shot, read how to hit a tee shot on a par 3.
Frequently asked questions
How does scoring work in closest to the pin in Mashy?
You hit one tee shot on each of the course's par 3s, and the distance from the hole in feet is recorded for each. The distances are added together, and the lowest total wins. A tee shot that finishes inside 3 feet also earns 1 coin.
How many shots do you get in closest to the pin?
One shot per par 3 on the course you choose. Mashy courses mix par 3s and par 4s, so the number of shots changes from course to course. Courses with more par 4s, such as Dogleg Downs, give you fewer tee shots in this mode.
Can you get a hole in one in Mashy closest to the pin?
No. In Mashy only a putt can drop, so a tee shot that reaches the cup lips out instead of going in. The aim is to stop the ball as close to the hole as possible, and inside 3 feet earns you a coin.
Is closest to the pin the same as stroke play?
No. Stroke play counts every shot over the course's 9 holes, including putts. Closest to the pin only uses the par 3s, gives you one tee shot on each, and scores you on total distance from the hole in feet rather than strokes.
Does wind matter in closest to the pin?
Yes. Wind is shown on a wind indicator and affects every shot. A headwind makes the ball come up short, a tailwind sends it further, and a crosswind pushes it sideways. On a windy course like Salty Links, reading the wind is most of the challenge.