LinkedIn PinpointAnswer & Solution
LinkedIn Pinpoint 530 Answer
LINKEDIN PINPOINT
October 12, 2025
Of
Golf
Main
Crash
Stay the
Today’s LinkedIn Pinpoint was a fascinating exercise in linguistic versatility. As an analyst, I look for how a single word can bridge the gap between sports, dining, education, and idioms. Today, the word "course" acted as the glue for five very different concepts. Let’s break down exactly how these clues functioned and how we arrived at the solution.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first saw the clue "Of," I’ll be honest—I was a bit stumped. In the world of Pinpoint, a two-letter word like "Of" is notoriously tricky because it fits with almost anything. My mind immediately went to "Of age" or "Of interest," but those felt too broad. I decided not to guess just yet because the "cost" of a wrong guess in this game is high for your daily stats.
Then the second clue, "Golf," popped up. Now we were getting somewhere. I started pairing "Golf" with common words: "Golf ball," "Golf club," and "Golf course." I went back to the first clue to see if any of those matched. "Of ball"? No. "Of club"? No. But "Of course"? That is one of the most common idioms in English. It felt like a strong possibility, but I still wanted one more clue to be absolutely certain.
The third clue was "Main." This was the "aha!" moment. "Main course" is a staple term in dining. At this point, I was 90% sure the answer was "course," but as an expert solver, I like to see how the rest of the logic holds up. I looked at the fourth clue, "Crash," and "Crash course" fit perfectly, referring to those intense, fast-paced learning sessions we’ve all taken at some point.
By the time "Stay the" appeared as the final clue, it was a total victory lap. "Stay the course" is a classic idiom for perseverance. The beauty of this puzzle was how the word "course" shifted from a conversational filler ("Of course") to a physical location ("Golf course"), to a culinary term ("Main course"), to an educational format ("Crash course"), and finally to a metaphorical path ("Stay the course").
I typed in "Words that come before 'course'" and secured the win.
Lessons Learned
* Don't overthink the short words: When you see a tiny word like "Of," don't try to solve the puzzle immediately. These words are designed to be "anchors" that only make sense once you have a more descriptive noun or verb from the later clues.
* Identify the "Category Shift": Notice how the clues jumped from sports (Golf) to dining (Main). When you see clues from completely different industries or walks of life, look for a "homonym" or a multi-use word that can bridge those different worlds.
* Look for Phrasal Verbs and Idioms: Clues like "Stay the" are unique because they aren't just single words; they are fragments. When you see a fragment, the answer is almost always the word that completes the famous saying.
* The Power of the Second Clue: Often, the first clue is a "distractor" or too vague. The second clue is usually where the real brainstorming begins. Always prioritize the relationship between clue #1 and clue #2 before rushing to a conclusion.
Expert Q&A
Why is "Of" considered a valid clue for "course"?
"Of course" is a fixed expression in English used to express agreement or to introduce a statement that is obvious. Because it is such a common phrase, it serves as a perfect linguistic link to the word "course."
How does the word "course" change meaning between "Golf" and "Crash"?
In "Golf course," the word refers to a physical area of land designed for a specific purpose. In "Crash course," it refers to a series of lessons or a curriculum. This demonstrates how the answer word can function as both a physical place and an abstract concept.
Could "Main" have referred to anything else in this puzzle?
"Main" is a versatile word that could have led to "Main street" or "Main event." However, when cross-referenced with "Golf" and "Crash," those options are quickly eliminated, as "Golf street" or "Crash event" (in a standard context) don't form common compound phrases.
What makes "Stay the course" a significant clue here?
It is an idiomatic expression. Unlike "Golf course," which is a literal place, "Stay the course" is figurative. Including an idiom ensures that the player is thinking about the word "course" in all its different forms—literal, educational, and metaphorical.
Is there a specific strategy for solving Pinpoint in the fewest clues possible?
The best strategy is to look for "collocations"—words that naturally sit next to each other. As soon as you have two clues, try to find the one word that fits both perfectly. If it fits both, there is a very high probability it will fit all five.