Golf term
Fat Side
The fat side of a green, relative to a given pin position, is whichever side has more room between the edge of the putting surface and the hole — the safer side to miss on.
Because pins are rarely cut in the exact center of a green, every hole location creates an asymmetry: one side offers a generous cushion between the fringe and the cup, and the other offers almost none. The fat side is the generous side — missing there still usually leaves a makeable two-putt or a reasonable up-and-down.
Identifying the fat side before choosing an aim point is one of the simplest, highest-leverage course-management habits, and it doesn't require better ball-striking — only a target chosen with the pin's geometry in mind rather than aimed straight at the flag. See short-siding for what happens when the miss goes the other way.
The fat side can change from hole to hole, and even day to day as pins move, which is why it's worked out relative to today's specific pin position rather than memorized for a green in general.
Related terms & guides
Glossary
Short-Siding
Short-siding is missing an approach shot on the side of the green with the least room between the ball and the hole, leaving little green to work with on the next shot.
Glossary
Aim Point
An aim point is a specific target on the course a golfer is considering hitting to when comparing shot options, as distinct from wherever the ball actually finishes.
Glossary
Shot Dispersion
Dispersion is how far a golfer's shots with a given club typically spread from their intended target, in both distance and direction.
Guide
Strokes Gained Around the Green