PGA Tour greens face heavy damage close to the cup, and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka believes the AimPoint putting method is a major contributor. Speaking on Dan Rapaport’s Dan on Golf show, Koepka explained that the routine leaves the turf within three feet of the hole covered in footprints, scuff marks, and rolled-down grass.
Turf Damage Around the Cup
Koepka stated that he is not a huge fan of the putting system, pointing out how dried out and firm the area around the hole becomes by Sunday afternoon. He noted that the heavy wear near the cup might be linked to an increase in players and caddies using AimPoint on tour. While previous debates around the method usually focused on slow play, Koepka’s concern centers entirely on the condition of the turf.
The putting routine requires a player to straddle their line to feel the slope, then turn that slope percentage into an aim point using their fingers. According to Koepka, players now perform this routine very close to the hole instead of at the midpoint of a long putt, concentrating the traffic right where the grass already takes the most punishment. He described watching multiple players work the exact same strip of turf while preparing for short putts.
History With the Method and Broader Tour Debate
Koepka’s critique comes with some irony, as he previously used the technique himself after adopting it before the 2021 Ryder Cup. At the time, he called it a double check and noted it saved his knees, though he admitted he was winging it and never used it the way instructors teach.
His comments add to a wider controversy surrounding the green-reading technique. Lucas Glover previously called for a ban on the practice, describing it as rude due to players stomping around the hole, while broadcaster Jim Nantz has expressed similar frustration. Conversely, Collin Morikawa defended the method, stating it helped him significantly while acknowledging that some players stand in incorrect spots.
Current golf rules allow players to repair spike marks and other damage on the putting greens, a rule change introduced in 2019, though they strictly forbid deliberately improving a line of play. Players facing short putts frequently tap down footprints left by previous groups as a legal repair. Koepka’s own approach to the damaged turf involves simply tapping down the marks and hitting the putt firmly enough to avoid any deflection, treating the wear as an unavoidable nuisance.
