A “ green in regulation,” also abbreviated GIR, is a statistical category on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played primarily by men in the United States and North America. It organizes most of the events on the flagship annual series of tournaments also known as the PGA Tour, as well as PGA Tour Champions and the Korn Ferry Tour…
What makes a golf course 'green'?
The science behind a perfect green
- Firm, not hard. Ideal greens combine firmness, smoothness and trueness. ...
- Smooth and true. Smoothness and trueness are the two other key qualities. ...
- Look beyond the stimp. The stimpmeter is an easy measure of green speed but it can be harmful if used as the sole measure of success.
What does through the Green mean in golf?
Under the Rules of Golf, "through the green" is defined as any area on the golf course, excluding four areas: tee boxes and greens on the hole being played, hazards and bunkers. The USGA and R&A...
What is the grass around the Green in golf?
They are:
- the lie of the golf ball;
- the distance to the hole;
- the firmness of the green; and
- obstacles in your way.
What is the size of a typical Golf Green?
Green size Green sizes vary from course to course. An average green should be between 300m 2 and 400m 2. However, green sizes can be much larger, sometimes upwards of 600m 2. Reasons for increased size include the change in levels and the amount of lobes incorporated into the design and, therefore, the available pin positions required.
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How do you get a green in regulation?
A Green in Regulation is when you hit the green in two strokes less than Par for that hole. On a Par 5, you must hit the green in 3 shots. One a Par 4, you have 2 shots. On a Par 3, you have to hit it off the tee.
What is a good green in regulation percentage?
What is a good percentage of greens in regulation? It depends on your handicap and skill level more than anything else. Some players might average a few greens in regulation. While others might have a green in regulation number between 6-9 and highly skilled players will be 10 or more.
What is the green in golf?
Definition of putting green : a smooth grassy area at the end of a golf fairway containing the hole also : a similar area usually with many holes that is used for practice.
What are fairways and greens and regulation?
The Proper Golfer On your scorecard, the 'fairways' box stands for fairways hit on the drive, and the 'greens' box stands for greens hit in regulation. Note that to they are not required to calculate your handicap - only for purposes to tracking statistics.
How many greens do you need to hit to break 80?
To break 80 you're going to need to hit several greens in regulation. We suggest aiming for half so 9 greens out of 18 holes. This leaves 9 greens you miss and potentially bogey putting your score at 81.
How many putts should a 10 handicap take?
10+ Handicap golfers should aim for fewer than 33 putts. 1-10 Handicap golfers should aim for fewer than 30 putts.
Why is it called greens in regulation?
A green is considered hit "in regulation" if any part of the ball is touching the putting surface while the number of strokes taken is at least two fewer than par (i.e., by the first stroke on a par 3, the second stroke on a par 4, or the third stroke on a par 5).
What is a green hit?
For a player to hit a green in regulation, the ball must remain on the putting surface in the number of strokes required or better. The ball cannot be on the fringe or near, but not on, the green for it to count. Greens in regulation are an important stat, but by no means is it a tell-all stat.
What is the difference between fairway and green?
The area between the tee box and the putting green where the grass is cut even and short is called the fairway.
Does a putt from the fringe count as a putt?
For stat purposes, the fringe is not the green and does not count as a GIR or as a putt. So if you putt from the fringe, miss and make the next putt it is counted as a one putt. If you hit an approach that lands on the fringe, it is not a GIR.
Is the green considered in the fairway?
The fairway is the area of short grass between the tee box and the green.
What counts as a fairway in regulation?
The term fairways in regulation or driving accuracy refers to the number of fairways that you successfully hit with your first stroke on each hole from the tee. FIR can only be achieved on par 4s and par 5s. FIR is normally displayed as a percentage.
What is a good up and down percentage?
PGA Tour “Up and Down” or “Scrambling” Percentage Here is the year 2019 for the PGA Tour, which shows that the average tour player got up and down 59% of the time.
What is a par 4 green?
On a par 4, a player has to hit the green with their first or second shot to hit the green in regulation. On a par 5, a player has to hit the green with their first, second or third shot to hit the green in regulation.
What is the PGA Tour average for greens in regulation?
11.7 per roundThe PGA Tour average for greens in regulation is 11.7 per round. The leaders in the GIR stat, the top of which are listed below, hit more than a full green more than the average per round. The tour scoring for greens in regulation is approximately a quarter of a stroke under par for every green hit.
What is a good percentage of fairways hit?
Hitting more than 50 percent of fairways has long been considered a good goal for amateur golfers. The winners on the PGA Tour tend to hit 70 percent.
What is a green in regulation golf?
What is a green in regulation in golf? In golf, a player hits a green in regulation when their golf ball hits and remains on the putting surface of a hole in as many or fewer than the number of shots prescribed by the par of a hole.
What is par in golf?
Par is a measure of what an expert player is expected to score on a golf hole, and it's a measure largely based on the distance of a hole, with the expectation that a player will hit a green in regulation and then hole the ball with two putts. Therefore, determining how many strokes a player has on each hole to hit the green in regulation is ...
What shot to hit the green on par 4?
On a par 4, a player has to hit the green with their first or second shot to hit the green in regulation. On a par 5, a player has to hit the green with their first, second or third shot to hit the green in regulation.
Is it important to hit a lot of greens in regulation?
Greens in regulation are an important stat, but by no means is it a tell-all stat. A player can hit a green in regulation and be far from the hole, leaving them a longer, more difficult path to the hole. A player can miss a green in regulation and still be close to their target, but they could leave themselves with a difficult shot from off the green to make par or better. However, if a player is hitting a lot of greens in regulation during the round, they are typically playing a comfortable round of golf that shows they are hitting their intended targets with frequency.
Can you miss a green in regulation?
A player can miss a green in regulation and still be close to their target, but they could leave themselves with a difficult shot from off the green to make par or better. However, if a player is hitting a lot of greens in regulation during the round, they are typically playing a comfortable round of golf that shows they are hitting their intended ...
Is hitting the green in regulation a subtraction problem?
Therefore, determining how many strokes a player has on each hole to hit the green in regulation is a subtraction problem.
What is a green in regulation?
A “green in regulation,” also abbreviated GIR, is a statistical category on the PGA Tour that tracks the number of greens the professional golfer reached within the allowed amount of strokes.
Why is the green in regulation important?
The greens in regulation statistic is a great way to measure your ability to hit your approach shot onto the green. On a par 4 hole, you would hit your drive into the fairway and then hit your second shot to the green. You then have two putts to get the ball into the hole to make par on ...
What happens at the end of a golf round?
At the end of your round, you’ll be able to see how many greens in regulation you hit and determine weakness in your golf game.
What happens if you miss the green on your second shot?
By missing the green on your second shot, you’re jeopardizing your ability to still make par as you can no longer two putt and still make par. Instead you have to hit your 3rd shot onto the green and hopefully make the putt on your 4th shot to save par. At the end of your round, you’ll be able to see how many greens in regulation you hit ...
What does it mean when you miss greens in regulation?
If you’re missing greens in regulation but still making par, then it shows you have a strong short game and are saving par with the wedge and putter.
How to find percentage of greens in golf?
After completing 10 rounds of golf, find the average score and percentage. Total up the number of greens in regulation hit over the 10 rounds and divide this total number by 10 to get your average. Then divide this number by 18 to get the percentage.
How many putts are required to get a green in regulation golf?
And the par number for a hole always includes two putts.
What Does Greens in Regulation Mean in Golf?
Hitting in a green in regulation is defined as hitting a par 3 in 1 shot, a par 4 in 2 shots and a par 5 in 3 shots. Greens in regulation will typically be counted as a number such as 11 out of 18. The best golfers hit on average 12 greens in regulation.
How many drivers do you need to hit a green in a golf game?
If you are playing from the trees all day, you will struggle to hit greens in regulation. Most golfers will hit between 12 and 14 drivers per round. Of those 12 to 14 greens, you want to be able to have a full swing with no tree restrictions or bunker barriers on at least 90% of your swings.
What are the most important stats in golf?
One of the most important stats in all of golf is how many greens a golfer can hit in regulation. I believe the two most important stats to lower your handicap, your scores and to get close to scratch are Greens In Regulation (GIR) and Scrambling around the greens.
How many days a year can you practice golf?
This technology is a game changer as the golfer can build a stock shot using the information while expanding a golf season where the golfer can practice 365 days a year. Whether the golfer goes all out and builds a home simulator or simply sets up a net and mat in their garage, the possibility of improving the swing and being able to practice or play 365 days a year is a game changer!
How many greens are there in regulation?
The one number that jumps out from the chart below are the greens in regulation, which is 67% percent or 12 greens out 18. Of course this is an average and there will be rounds when a golfer might hit close to 18 or as little as 6 to 7 greens in regulation.
What is the best way to hit greens in regulation?
A combination of the right start line with the right distance will help you hit more greens in regulation! See our tips below!
How many bunkers are there in a green?
Most greens will have at least one bunker or some sort of barrier short or long. The key is to select the right club and right shot for the situation that you are faced with. If there is a bunker short, make sure you take enough club to carry it.
What does it mean to hit a green in regulation?
Hitting a green in regulation (GIR) is defined as the following – if any part of your ball is touching the putting surface and the number of strokes taken is at least two fewer than par. This simple definition does not do it justice though. I believe this is the most important statistic for golfers to measure themselves by if they want to shoot their lowest scores.
Why Are Greens in Regulation so Important?
There has been a lot of advanced analysis on golf statistics over the last few years. Two great books that I would recommend to learn more are Lowest Score Wins and Every Shot Counts. While the books are not exactly the same, some of the key takeaways are similar.
Why do I hit more greens in regulation?
The reason for this is because your chances of making a par (or better) dramatically increase when your ball is on the putting surface versus being in the rough or a sand trap. Personally, I have made hitting more greens in regulation the focus of my own game, and have been able to increase my percentage from the low 40s to just under 70%. Not surprisingly, my index dropped significantly (I play to a .7 handicap at the current moment).
What are the hazards to avoid when hitting a green?
However, you have to avoid major hazards such as out of bounds, trees, water, and fairway bunkers. Additionally, the conditions of the rough at your course could make it even harder if you miss the fairway.
What is the most important thing in golf?
Your swing is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle. You could be the greatest course manager there is, but if you can’t get the ball heading towards the vicinity of where you are aimed, then you are going to struggle with hitting a green in regulation.
Why are stats important in golf?
I believe that they have a place in the recreational golfer’s game-improvement plans because they allow you to set measurable goals.
Do you have to increase your green in regulation number?
If you are a golfer who wants to improve, you have to increase your green in regulation number. The process of getting there is a bit more complicated, but it is the truth. When I spoke about what golfers need to do to break 80, it was one of the main focuses of the article.
What is GIR?
To count a green in regulation, your ball must finish on the green in two strokes fewer than the par of a hole. Greens in regulation are measured in this fashion for each hole:
What About the Fringe?
In order to count a green in regulation, you must hit the putting surface, the fringe does not count. Being on the putting green comes with its own set of rules that also don't apply when you're on the fringe.
Why is GIR Important?
Greens In Regulation is an important statistic because it measures how well you hit your approach shots to the green. It also indicates your ability to keep the ball in play off the tee, because if you hit an errant tee shot, your chances of hitting the green in regulation plummet. Hitting GIRs leads to more birdies and pars on your scorecard.
Track GIR
There are some great ways to track your green in regulation. Here are a few suggestions.
GIR By Handicap
Of course, greens in regulation statistics vary by skill level and handicap. Beginners don't hit as many greens as more accomplished players. Here’s a look at how many greens in regulation each handicap level should hit. If you hit fewer GIRs than your handicap range, you can really improve your scores by becoming more accurate with your irons.
Professional GIR
Cameron Percy led the PGA Tour in GIR in 2021 GIR hitting 72.58% of greens, which is about 13 greens per round. Jon Rahm was just behind him, hitting the green in regulation 71.93% of the time.
Ways to Improve GIR
The best way to improve your GIR number is to concentrate on your iron play. Improving your distance control and ball striking with your irons will help you whether your approach shot is from 50 yards out or 200 yards out.
