LinkedIn PinpointAnswer & Solution
LinkedIn Pinpoint 569 Answer
LINKEDIN PINPOINT
November 20, 2025
Basketball Courts
Running Tracks
Olympic Swimming Pools
Highways
Bowling Alleys
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first saw "Basketball Courts," my mind immediately went to sports-related themes. I thought maybe the answer was "Hardwood Floors" or "Indoor Sports." It seemed like a solid start, but it felt a little too narrow for a Pinpoint puzzle, which usually likes to pull from different areas of life.
Then the second clue, "Running Tracks," popped up. This reinforced the sports theme, but it killed the "Hardwood" idea because tracks are usually rubber or gravel. I started thinking about "Competitive Sports" or maybe "Olympic Events." I actually almost guessed "Timed Sports," but I held off because basketball isn't exactly a race in the same way a track event is.
The third clue, "Olympic Swimming Pools," was the real turning point. Now I had three different sports venues. I noticed a physical similarity: they all have very specific painted lines. I thought about "Lines" or "Markers," but then I realized that swimmers and runners both stay in "lanes." I checked back at the basketball court—sure enough, the area where players line up for free throws is officially called the "lane."
When "Highways" appeared as the fourth clue, the sports theme was officially dead, but the "lane" theory became much stronger. Highways aren't sports venues, but their most defining feature is the division of traffic into lanes. It was a perfect bridge between the athletic world and everyday infrastructure.
By the time "Bowling Alleys" showed up, I was 100% certain. In bowling, the entire playing surface is literally called a "lane." It tied everything together perfectly—from the narrow paths on a highway to the painted boxes on a basketball court. I put together the common thread and arrived at "Places with lanes."
Lessons Learned
First, it is super important to look for a "hidden" vocabulary word that applies to different industries. "Lane" is a term used in sports, transportation, and recreation. If you only think about it in one context, you’ll get stuck.
Second, don't get married to the first theme that appears. The first three clues were all sports-related, which is a classic Pinpoint trap. If I had guessed "Sports Venues," I would have lost a life. Always wait for that fourth clue to see if it breaks the pattern.
Third, pay attention to the physical geometry of the clues. All of these clues describe long, narrow paths designed to keep people or things separated while moving in the same direction. When you see a structural similarity like that, you're usually on the right track.
Finally, remember that some words have technical names that are different from their common names. Most people call the area under a basketball hoop "the paint," but its technical name is the "free-throw lane." Knowing those specific terms is a huge advantage in this game.
Expert Q&A
Why is a basketball court included in a list about lanes?
While we often call it "the paint" or "the key," the official regulatory name for the rectangular area extending from the baseline to the free-throw line is the "free-throw lane." It’s a crucial part of the court's geography for foul shots and three-second violations.
Do all the clues represent the word "lane" in the exact same way?
Not exactly, and that's the beauty of the puzzle. In swimming and track, a lane is a designated path for a single competitor. On a highway, it’s a path for a vehicle. In bowling, the "lane" is the entire field of play. The puzzle uses different nuances of the word to challenge your lateral thinking.
Could the answer have been "Places with lines"?
While all these places have lines, "lanes" is a much more specific and accurate descriptor. Pinpoint usually looks for the most precise common denominator. Since "lane" is a specific term used in the rulebooks or manuals for all five clues, it is a much stronger answer than just "lines."
What is the significance of "Olympic" in the swimming pool clue?
The word "Olympic" specifies a regulation-size pool (50 meters) which is strictly divided into eight or ten lanes using lane ropes. A backyard pool or a general hotel pool might not have these divisions, so the "Olympic" distinction points you directly toward the concept of lanes.
How does "Bowling Alleys" act as a "closer" clue?
In the world of bowling, the word "lane" is synonymous with the game itself. You don't just play at an alley; you "step