Greens in regulation, abbreviated GIR, is the share of holes on which you reach the green with at least two putts left for par. On a par-4, that means you are on the green in two. On a par-5, in three. On a par-3, in one.
The math
GIR is the percentage of holes where you "make the green in regulation." On 18 holes, hitting 9 of them in regulation gives you a 50% GIR.
PGA Tour pros average around 67%. Single-digit handicap amateurs are around 40%. Mid-handicap players (12-18) are typically 25-35%.
Why GIR predicts scoring better than any other stat
The reason GIR matters more than driving distance, more than fairways hit, more than putting average — is leverage. When you are on the green in regulation, your worst likely score is a bogey. When you are not, your floor opens up.
A 1% increase in GIR is worth approximately 0.15 strokes per round across the amateur range.
How to improve your GIR
Three things move it for amateurs:
- Approach club selection — most amateurs come up short on 70% of misses. Take more club.
- Aim at the centre of the green, not the flag — a 30-foot first putt beats a chip from greenside rough.
- Bail out the right way — if you must miss, miss to the side that leaves the easiest up-and-down.
Related reading
How to lower your golf handicap — by the numbers
A handicap drops when your average improves. Here are the four levers that actually move it for amateurs, ranked by impact.
Consistency in golf — what it actually means
Consistency is the most-asked-about word in amateur golf. Here is what it means in practice, how to measure it, and why two rounds with the same score can feel completely different.
Fairways in regulation — what it tells you, and what it does not
Fairway-hit percentage is the most over-quoted statistic in amateur golf. Here is what it actually correlates with — and what it does not.
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