The Left Rough

The Truth about Greens in Regulation

If you’re like most amateur golfers, chances are you want to hit more greens and have more birdie putts. And I’m all for that strategy. But before teaching you strategies to do that, it’s important to understand your “benchmark” of greens number based on your handicap.

Because here’s the thing, so many golfers get mad when they miss a green or only have 5-6 birdie putts per round. But depending on your handicap, that might be equal or above the average number per round. 

Don’t believe me? Check out the PGA Tour averages first to better understand what’s realistic and what is a pipe dream. I’ll also help you understand your benchmark and five ways to find the putting surface more often. 

Green in Regulation Definition

Before we dive in, you might be thinking… so what is a green in regulation (also abbreviated GIR) anyways?

This is a popular statistic to track for professional golfers and amateur golfers alike. Regulation means hitting in the number required (or less). You get a GIR as a regulation statistic if you hit:

  • A par 3 in one shot (or a hole in one).
  • A par 4 in two shots or less. Yes, driving the green in one counts too!
  • A par 5 in three shots or less.
  • A par 6 in four or fewer strokes. Believe it or not, but there are some golf courses with par 6’s.

Then, if you have two strokes on the green after hitting on in regulation, you’ll be making par. Or, drain the putt for a birdie or eagle. 

As you will learn in this post, this statistical category is so important in shooting lower scores.

Tour Averages For Greens in Regulation

When researching this article, it’s pretty incredible to learn the PGA Tour averages for greens in regulation. Because if you’re like me, you probably think they average 70% or more, regardless of distance.

But it’s just not the case… 

The Tours rank golfers based on all sorts of stats from fairways, putting, scrambling, sand saves and more.

Here’s the thing…

These are the best players in the world and yet, they still miss a lot more greens than the casual viewer might realize.

Let’s break it down by distances first. 

PGA Tour Approach Shot Statistics (GIR Percentage)

This information is gathered from the PGA Tour : 

  • 200+ yards = 40% of greens. When they do hit the green from 200 plus yards, the average proximity to the hole is 54 feet from 225-250 yards. And 43 feet from the hole between 200-225 yards. For most golfers, this should be a big eye-opener. If you’re over 200 yards and hit the green, good for you because less than half of professional players do! 
  • 175-200 yards = 53% of greens. From under 200 yards, PGA Tour players hit just a little more than half of the greens and when they do, they average 34 feet from the hole.
  • 150-175 yards = 63% of greens. From this range, players hit the green 10% more the last category, but still average 27 feet from the hole.  
  • 125-150 yards = 69% of greens. And when they do hit the green, they are still 23 feet away from the hole. This is a surprising proximity number to me since most players have a wedge or 9 iron (at most) from this range.
  • 100-125 yards = 74 % of greens. This is another crazy stat as the pros only have a wedge of sorts from this distance and only hit the green 3 or 4 times! Not to mention, the average distance to the hole is still 20 feet. 
  • Less than 100 yards = 81% of greens. Finally, players from short range on the course average 17 feet from the pin between 75-100 yards and 15 feet from 50-75 yards. 

The GIR percentage for each distance from the pros should make even the worst golfer have a little hope. If guys on the major tours can’t get the golf ball on the green constantly, then recreational golfers won’t either. And that’s okay!

As long as you keep working on your short game and have mostly two putts on the putting green, you can score well.

Let’s break down the average green in regulation numbers for amateurs next. 

Greens in Regulation

Why Your GIR is Crucial to Your Score

Greg “the Shark” Norman once said, “Happiness is a long walk with a putter.” And he’s 100% right.

It’s a great feeling when you hit your ball on the green as you eye the birdie or eagle putt from the fairway. Generally speaking, when you hit the green, it should mean a lower score and as important, less stress.

Because if you miss the green, all kinds of bad things can happen.  Thick rough, deep bunkers, and all kinds of other obstacles the golf Gods throw at us.

But the numbers for amateurs for average green in regulation on the course might surprise you too:

  • 25-29 handicap = 3 greens
  • 20-24 handicap – 3.5 greens
  • 15-19 handicap: 5.1 greens
  • 10-14 handicap: 6.9 greens
  • 6-9 handicap: 8.5 greens
  • 3-5 handicap: 10.2 greens
  • 0-2 handicap: 11.8 greens
  • +3 to +1 handicap: 12.6 greens
  • Tour average: 11.7 greens

Essentially, if you shoot over a 100, you will only hit a few greens. If you shoot in the 90s, you will average less than five greens. If you shoot it in the 80s, you will average about seven greens. And if you shoot in the 70s, you will average about 10 greens.

Also, don’t let the Tour average green in regulation number fool you either. Those guys are playing much longer courses in high stakes environments… often needing birdies to win or make the weekend.

How to Hit More Greens in Golf – 5 Strategies For More GIR

Hitting greens typically means less stress and in general, an average lower stroker average. Even if you’re a world-class putter, your putting can’t make up for poor iron play on a consistent basis. The key is to increase your GIR stroke as much as possible to set yourself up for success.

Now that you have a better understanding of how many greens the pros hit and why they’re crucial to your score… let’s get into some tips. I’m confident that when you use all five of these tips, you’ll hit additional greens in regulation than ever before. 

1.  Hit More Fairways (Improve Your Tee Shot Game)

If you want to hit more greens in regulation, you need to give yourself the best opportunity to do so with quality tee shots. Because if you’re constantly playing from the thick stuff or behind trees, improving your GIR number is nearly impossible. 

Especially for everyday amateur players, who aren’t as skilled with recovery shots as low handicap or scratch golfers. For skilled players, hitting fairways isn’t as important because they usually have a consistent enough swing to get on or near the green from the rough. 

But for the everyday golfer, a solid tee ball will help a ton. It will usually mean an easier next shot to the putting green by avoiding fairway bunkers and other trouble off the tee. Because remember, if you hit in a hazard or out of bounds, you won’t be able to hit the GIR.

Plus, when you’re in the fairway, club selection is much easier too. Not having to worry about thick rough or flier lie will increase your chances of selecting the right club and finding the dance floor. 

Here are a few tee box strategies to help you out.

Commit to a Shot

One of the reasons that a lot of players miss fairways is because they don’t commit to a shot off the tee. Instead, they hit and hope it finds the short grass. When in reality, you should have a clear starting point and end point for your golf ball before making a practice swing. 

Imagine the shot for a second and feel a high draw , a low cut , or a straight shot you want to hit. Whether you pull it off or not, at least you had a high percentage shot in mind. This will help you on the course and commit in your mind the shot you want to play.

Have a Fairway Finder

I always suggest having some sort of “fairway finder” shot and/or club. This could either be a specific shot you play or a certain club that tends to find the short grass. 

For some players, this might be a choke down, controlled driver swing. For others, it might be hitting a fairway wood or hybrid to find the fairway instead. Practice your fairway finder on the range so you have more consistency and confidence on the course.

Even Tiger Woods had a fairway finder, he called it the stinger and here is how to hit the stinger shot .

Plan Your Third Shot

Another tip to help you get on in regulation and have an easy two putts (or less) is to plan your third shot on Par 5s better. Sometimes that means going for it so you can get a short chip, while other times it means laying back and going for it in three. 

Par 5s, despite being the longest holes, are the best chances for birdies. Set yourself up by thinking one shot ahead, so your third shot gives you the best opportunity. 

2. Nail Your Pre-Shot Routine

Hitting fairways will generally help you hit more greens. But once you’re in the fairway, it’s important to have a solid pre-shot routine to lock in your approach shot . Otherwise, you’re more likely to waste epic drives and feel like you didn’t take advantage of a great tee shot. 

Plus, your pre-shot routine will help you:

  • Find the right distances.
  • Evaluate weather conditions.
  • Choose the right golf club to hit.
  • Create a solid approach shot strategy. 
  • Pick an ideal target and best place(s) to miss.
  • Stay calm under pressure and give yourself the best chance to putt for birdie. 

A pre-shot routine will help with every single club in the bag. The more automatic you can make your routine, the easier it will be to go “unconscious” and into a flow state. 

Just like training your swing, make sure that you practice your pre-shot routine as well. 

3. Know Your Distances For Your Second Shot

Another huge part of hitting more greens every round is knowing your distances for each golf club. Because you could hit a great tee ball and have an awesome routine, but miss the green if you leave your second shot short or long. Then you’re scrambling to get it up and down and save par. 

Sure, we’re all humans and bound to hit some shots thin or fat and miss the putting surface. But there is nothing worse than hitting a good shot and missing the GIR because you didn’t know your distances for each club. 

Make sure to minimize this mistake by spending time on the range and during casual rounds getting to know your distances. The easiest way to do this is with a launch monitor , as it will tell you total distance and a lot more for each shot you hit. You can also use your rangefinder to hit targets on the range to better understand your distances. 

As you become more advanced, try to have several distances with each club too. This will help you hit more greens because you’ll have more shots in the bag. Whether you’re uphill/downhill , playing in wind , or cold temperatures , you will have a shot for it. 

How to hit more Greens in Regulation

4. Aim for the Fat Part of the Green

The PGA Tour stats showed one thing to me above all else – when players hit the green, they’re not that close! Think about the GIR percentage… 

  • From 200+ yards they only less than 50% of the greens and still have 40 plus feet on average! 
  • From 150 yards, they hit a little over 60% of the greens and still have 20 plus feet.
  • And from inside 100 yards, they still don’t average inside 10 feet. 

So what’s the point?

If the best players in the world don’t throw darts all day (and they get paid millions of dollars to play golf), why should you?  

The easiest way to hit more greens is to forget the flag entirely. Aim for the widest part of the green and I bet you will be astounded by your green in regulation numbers. 

Will your playing buddies give you grief from time to time? Probably, but I bet you will also be the guy who takes their money at the end of the round too. 

By aiming at the fat part of the green, you will not only hit more greens, but also short side yourself less often. So even if you miss the green, you will have an easier up and down too and not need your short game on fire every round. Not to mention, hitting greens at or above regulation percentage can help your confidence from tee to green.

As you get into wedges and short irons, then you can maybe aim more towards the flag. But for anything longer than a short iron, aim for the middle, accept a 20-30 foot putt, and keep the momentum going.

5. Track Your Stats 

Finally, to hit more greens, it’s super important to track your stats . This way you can learn more about your game and figure out how to practice more efficiently. Since most of us only have so much time to work on our game , it’s important to spend it on your weaknesses.

When you track your stats, you will learn if you need to improve on the putting surface, work on your short game , long irons or hit more fairways. When tracking your round on the course, make sure to:

  • Include a statistical category for fairways hit, greens in regulation, up/down percentage, and number of putts.
  • Track consistently so you can get averages and practice more efficiently between rounds.
  • Notate your common miss-hit as it can be used to manage your miss and quickly improve your score.

Bonus Tip: Get Better on the Putting Surface

The bonus tip isn’t about hitting greens, as the first five tips will help with that a ton. But this tip is preaching the importance of putting when you get on the dance floor. 

Because there is not much more frustrating than hitting a bunch of greens and scoring poorly due to bad putting. Trust me, I’ve been there myself more times than I can count. 

Putting is the not so secret part about scoring well. But I think a misunderstanding that so many golfers have is how many putts they “should” make. 

PGA Tour Putting Averages

The PGA Tour average is 28.95 putts per round. 

Basically, if you can keep it under 30 putts, it is usually going to be a good scoring day for most golfers. 

But proximity to the hole plays a huge role in making sure you avoid three putts. Check out the 2021 putting averages too for the average professional golfer:

  • 35+ Feet: .32% make percentage 
  • 30-35 Feet: .60% make percentage 
  • 25-30 Feet: .88% make percentage 
  • 20-25 Feet: 12% make percentage 
  • 15-20 Feet: 18% make percentage 
  • 10-15 Feet: 29% make percentage 
  • 5-10 Feet: 53% make percentage  
  • 3-5 Feet: 87% make percentage

When you hit it closer, the odds of a putt dropping are more in your favor. And the best way to give yourself more quality looks is to use the five tips from above. 

Also, here are a few more additional stats that might surprise you: 

  • 1 Putts Per Round = 7.15
  • 2 Putts Per Round = 10.08 
  • 3 Putts Per Round = .54 (less than one 3-putt per round)
  • Avg Distance of Birdies = 9.4 feet
  • Avg Distance of Eagles = 16.8 feet

FAQs About Greens in Regulation 

Do you have more questions about hitting greens so you can shoot lower scores? If so, hopefully our questions and answers below can help you out even more. 

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. 

Who has the best greens in regulation on the PGA Tour?

If you’ve ever wondered “Who hits the most greens on tour” it’s a great question. The list is constantly changing on a weekly basis, but the 2021 Tour average is 64%. 

That means that PGA Tour players average roughly 11 of 18 greens per round (the European Tour is about the same too). But the breakdown by distances above are a much better way to understand. Since overall distance to the pin has a much bigger impact on total score. 

Click here to check out the latest stats and tournaments for GIR averages.

What’s the PGA Tour record for greens hit?

There have been tons of times when players on the Tour, LPGA Tour, and European Tour have 18/18 greens per round. This is an incredible feat in itself and obviously requires tremendous ball striking. 

And the four round tournament record is 69 of 72 greens according to the Tour’s website ! Here is what they said about this crazy good performance… “As for greens in regulation, the record is 69 of 72 greens for a four-round event. The record belongs to Peter Jacobson (1995 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am) and Jerry Kelly (1996 Walt Disney World Oldsmobile Classic).”

How impressive is that GIR stat? Imagine only having three attempts for saving par and 69 birdie attempts in four days.

But another amazing record is Tiger Woods from his historical season in 2000. What many have dubbed the greatest golf of his career, during that year he found 75.15% of all greens .

This is the highest GIR in regulation percentage ever since the tour began tracking GIR. His average score was also a tour record as well! Needless to say, Tiger Woods’ golf game that year was something we’ll likely never see again.

Does fringe count as a green in regulation?

No, the fringe does not count as green in regulation. Even though you can (and should) putt a majority of your fringe balls, they technically don’t count as a green on your stat sheet.  But in general, putt the ball from the fringe to shoot better scores.

Final Thoughts on Greens in Regulation

Hopefully these stats will show that whenever you’re watching golf on TV, it’s basically the highlight reel. Sure, you will see the occasional bad shot on the big stage (like Ian Poulter hitting shanks) but it’s not often with pro golfers. Instead, they’re showing you the longest drives, the tightest approach shots, and the best putts.

In reality though, the majority of Tour players (both PGA and LPGA Tour) do not get it as close as you think, if they do even find the green. Which should be pretty eye-opening for the casual golfer. And if anything, it should make you feel better about your game by creating realistic expectations about your GIR number for the round. 

So instead of going flag hunting 18 holes in a row, use the five tips to set yourself up for success:

  • Hit more fairways by getting a go-to “fairway finder” shot and solid tee box strategy.
  • Create a solid pre-shot routine to help you pick the right club and focus on the target. 
  • Know your distances as if you were Justin Rose or some other pro you love. A launch monitor is the easiest way to learn your distances for each club and get the ball on the green more often than not.
  • Aim for the fat part of the green 90% of the time (or more). Unless you have a wedge or short iron, opt for the middle part of the largest area of the green.
  • Tracks your stats so you can learn to improve your first shot and practice efficiently.

The higher your green in regulation number, the less stress you will have and likely much fewer strokes every round too.

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Greens In Regulation

Greens in Regulations (GIR): What Is It & How To Improve

Golf is a game of fine margins. You can miss a good putt if it’s only a few centimeters off. Your smashed drive can roll off the fairway and into the thick stuff. The game is so dependent on luck that getting better at it does not always translate to better scores.

This is where different stats come into play. As a general rule of thumb, improving one of these stats can hopefully lead to lower scores. One of the most important stat in golf is Greens in regulation (GIR).

So, what is Greens in regulation (GIR)? Greens in regulation is a stat meaning the number of greens you’ve successfully hit in an 18-hole stretch. With a higher GIR, it’ll be easier to shoot lower scores. You get a greens in regulation point if you hit the green:

  • In one shot on a par-3
  • In 2 or fewer shots on a par-4
  • In 3 or fewer shots on a par-5

But does a high GIR means better scores, or is it a myth?

Let’s dive deeper into how this stat translates to your game and what are some standard GIR percentages among amateurs and professionals.

How Can Hitting Greens in Regulation Help Your Game?

Gir averages: amateurs vs. professionals, 1. getting better at hitting fairways, 2. pre-shot routine, 3. distance on your second shot, 4. aim for the center of green, what is a good greens in regulation percentage, how do you calculate greens in regulation, what is a gir on a par 5, what is tiger woods’s average greens in regulation, what is the most consecutive greens in regulation, final thoughts on greens in regulation.

man putting on golf green

Greens in regulation is a pretty straightforward stat. Suppose you hit all greens in regulation and two-putt every hole; you’ll shoot a par score or better. However, we are talking about golf, so perfection is limited, and luck is always in play.

As the handicap of a golfer rises, the number of greens he hits drops. If the number of greens you can hit in a round drops, the number of birdies or better putts you get also drops, making it hard to shoot lower scores.

Below are average GIR for amateurs:

  • +25 handicapper : 3
  • 20 – 25 handicapper : 3.5
  • 15 – 19 handicapper : 5.1
  • 10 – 14 handicapper : 6.9
  • 6 – 9 handicapper : 8.5
  • 3 – 5 handicapper : 10.2
  • 0 – 2 handicapper : 11.8
  • +3 – +1 handicapper : 12.6

Essentially, this means that if you want to break ninety, you will at least have to hit 6 to 8 greens. If you’re going to break 80, you will have to hit 9 to 11 greens.

If you’re interested in breaking 80, we’ve written an entire guide on how to break 80  with the right steps.

It’s a myth that better players hit a lot of greens. The above list shows that you do not need to hit an astronomical number of greens to play better rounds. Hitting better scores always comes down to being great around the greens.

However, I was surprised to see the green in regulations numbers across the PGA tour. Seeing how good these professional golfers are at every aspect of the game was eye-opening.

PGA Tour Greens in Regulations Statistics

CharlesHowellATTNational1

We are still early into the PGA tour season; however, the PGA tour GIR numbers  stay relatively high and remain the same, although leaders in the specific category might change as the season progresses.

Below are the leaders and average GIR PGA Tour in the past 3 PGA tour seasons.

Note: This data has been obtained from the greens in regulation PGA Tour website

  • Tour Average: 66.30% (approx. 12 out of 18 greens per round)
  • Leader: Jim Furyk (74.22%)
  • Tour Average: 65.14% (approx. 12 out of 18 greens per round)
  • Leader: Cameron Percy (72.58%)
  • Tour Average: 65.57% (approx. 12 out of 18 greens per round)
  • Leader: Scottie Scheffler 72.29%

In the 2022 – 2024 season, Scottie again leads the pack with almost the exact numbers, and the tour average is at a similar position, but it’s still early in the season. What does this tell us?

However, it’s pertinent to note here that professionals hit lower scores because of their ability to scramble and get up and down  and not because they expect to hit a lot of greens. Only if we amateurs could realize that, right?

Don’t let these stats fool you in any way when it comes to skillsets on the PGA tour. The courses these guys play are set up to be long and difficult. Shooting the scores they shoot should not be considered lightly in any way.

greens in regulation

If we look at the numbers above, we see a tremendous difference between a high handicapper and a low handicapper regarding the number of greens they hit per round.

Even the best of the best in the world do not hit all the greens (they do hit a lot more than us, though). The best in the world are better than us amateurs at converting opportunities into results. The more birdie opportunities they get, the lower they shoot.

Amateurs tend to think they should hit the green from everywhere. Below are some stats from the 2022–2023 season showing a different picture of how accurate professionals actually are.

  • GIR Average from > 200 yards: 43.92%
  • GIR Average from 175 – 200 yards: 54.67%
  • GIR Average from 150 – 175 yards: 63.54%
  • GIR Average from 125 – 150 yards: 69.53%
  • GIR Average from 100 – 125 yards: 74.94%
  • GIR Average from < 100 yards: 85.17%

This tells us that professional golfers make all their money from within a hundred yards, where they are the most accurate.

Outside 200 yards, a professional golfer only hits 4 out of 10 greens. This shows that amateurs have all the opportunity in the world to play better golf; they should have realistic goals on the golf course and gradually move towards better golf.

Every high handicapper should try to hit more greens to get more opportunities for pars and birdies; however, on the upside, we can see that professionals and low handicappers do not hit a lot of greens in regulations.

At the end of the day, the difference is always going to be your short game.

How to Hit More Greens in Regulation?

Man playing golf on the public golf course

Let’s break this down into some legitimate tasks you can do on the course and achieve more consistent results. It goes without saying working on your swing will always help you a lot in your approach shot game.

However, the following set of tips will apply no matter how good or bad your swing is:

I am going to mention this first thing before anything else. Hitting more fairways can majorly contribute to hitting more greens. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s not.

Amateurs tend to go for everything off the tee. They want to smash the living hell out of that ball on the first shot; it’s rip it or go home. Why?

Chill, man. Think about it. Isn’t it easier to hit shots off the fairway than it is to hit shots off that 3-inch high rough or if you’re behind a tree?

Placement of the tee is vital as it gives you the best chance to deliver a green on your second shot.

Don’t just unconsciously opt for a driver whenever you get on the tee. Look at the hole you’re facing and plan accordingly.

Get into a good position off the tee – your position should give you the best look at the green. Even if you miss your shot off the tee, your trouble should be limited, and you should be able to manage your way around.

Three things you can do to hit more fairways:

  • Have a fairway finder. You should have a shot in your bag that you completely trust and can always go to if faced with a tougher tee shot.
  • Commit to the shot you’re hitting off the tee. Do not second guess the shot you will hit, and always complete your swing no matter what shot or club you’ve decided to go with.
  • You should always get a green in regulation on a par-5. You can get in a good position for your third shot to have a better opportunity for a GIR. Find a good number from where to hit your third shot if you’re trying to lay up. If you’re trying to go for it, commit to your shot and always have a backup plan for your third shot if you mishit your second one.

If you’ve ever watched professional golf, there’s one thing common among all professional golfers – they always stick to their routines.

Professional golfers have a routine no matter what situation they are faced with. It does not matter where the ball is or what kind of shot they will hit. A routine is something they can always rely on.

However, amateurs get over the ball and have tons of thoughts going over their heads. They never stick to a routine. They just want to get in there and hit the shot.

A pre-shot routine is more than just how you get over the ball. It’s how you teach your body that it’s go time.

When it comes to hitting a perfect shot, the margins are really small. Having the same pre-shot routine signals your body what to do next, and you train your unconscious mind to deliver the club perfectly behind the ball so that you can do it repeatedly.

One of the most common faults in amateurs regarding hitting greens is leaving the ball short. They either overestimate their abilities or don’t know their distances.

Looking at all factors affecting distance before hitting your shots is crucial. Factors such as:

All these factors will have an impact on your distance. If you have a good caddy with you, who knows what you can or cannot do, then you’re safe, but if you do not have a good caddy with you, you will have to figure these things out on your own. You will have to make the necessary adjustments to hit your greens.

You should never forget that when it comes to hitting balls on the range, you’re faced with a perfect lie and have no elevation changes. When you take your game to the course, all the above factors come into play, and you must make the necessary adjustments.

Amateurs want to aim for the pin and hit the ball to about a foot of the hole every time they aim for the green. I hate to tell you, but this is poor planning.

I realize we all want to hit the pin every time we strive for the green, but this is precisely what causes us to miss greens and get into trouble, making bogeys even a hassle.

When aiming for the green, try to go for the fat part of the green. If you’re not inside 100 yards, do not try to go for the pin unless the pin is in a central position.

Try to go for the center of the green cause if you hit a little wayward shot; it still has a chance to get on the green. Hitting the green gives you the best opportunity to secure a par, and golf is all about securing pars. Birdies come on their own.

A good green in regulation percentage depends upon your handicap. Following is the number of greens you should be able to hit to improve your handicap:

You get a point for hitting the green with at least two putts remaining to make par. Greens in regulation is a number you get out of 18, depending on the number of greens you hit. In most stats, the number of greens you hit is represented as a percentage of 18 or the total number of holes in consideration.

You get the point for the green in regulation on a par five if you hit the green in three or fewer shots. A feat, easier said than done most times. Although, greens in regulation percentages are usually higher on par-5’s.

Tiger Woods’s highest GIR season was in 2000 when he hit 75% of greens. His GIR numbers from 2004 to 2009 were around 70.30%. Since then, his number has dropped due to injuries mostly. In the 2020–2021 season, Tiger averaged 65% of greens in regulation.

The most consecutive greens in regulation is by a LPGA tour player. Jin Young Ko hit an unbelievable 63 green in a row. On the PGA tour, Bob Lohr holds the record for 51 consecutive GIR in 1993.

So we’ve reached the end of defining and understanding a pretty important golf stat. So the question arises – does a higher green in regulation number matter? Well, it does, and it doesn’t.

Don’t hit any greens if you have a world-class short game and can get up and down from anywhere. But if you’re like most of us and you suck from around the greens, getting on the green and having putts for pars or birdies is your best opportunity to make them.

Golf is challenging as it is; why make it more complicated, right? Try to hit more greens; follow the tips I gave you. Teach yourself a pre-shot routine, hit more fairways, and you’ll hopefully play great golf and make some birdies on your friends.

abdul moiz minhas

Abdul Moiz Minhas

Abdul Moiz is a skilled golfer and professional writer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad and has played golf for over 5 years. He has a handicap index of 18.5, uses TaylorMade Sim driver, and loves his 60-degree wedge. He's tested and reviewed over 50 products and specializes in reviewing budget-friendly golf club sets. You can connect with Abdul at  X , LinkedIn , or [email protected] .

  • Best score : 82
  • Favorite club : 60-degree wedge
  • Favorite ball : Titleist ProV1
  • Dream golf vacation : Scotland
  • Abdul Moiz Minhas https://www.golfspan.com/author/abdul-moiz-minhas What Golf Ball Should I Use? Take This Quick Quiz
  • Abdul Moiz Minhas https://www.golfspan.com/author/abdul-moiz-minhas Titleist AVX Vs. Pro V1: Differences, Pros, Cons
  • Abdul Moiz Minhas https://www.golfspan.com/author/abdul-moiz-minhas BombTech Wedges Review: Pros & Cons
  • Abdul Moiz Minhas https://www.golfspan.com/author/abdul-moiz-minhas Golf Ball Compression Chart: Top Ball Ratings By Swing Speed

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Golf Sidekick

What is GIR in Golf? Green in Regulation Explained

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Many amateur golfers and recreational golfers have heard GIR or Green in Regulation used but might not fully grasp its meaning. It's important to understand what is a GIR in golf so you can plan the holes during your round for lower scores. Let’s dive into this term and see how it could impact your own game.

tour average gir

Greens in Regulation Meaning

In golf, a player hits a green in regulation when their golf ball hits and remains on the putting surface of a hole in 2 shots less than the par of the hole on the scorecard. 

Par is the number of strokes a scratch player is expected to score on a given hole. The par rating is loosely linked to a hole’s length but their are other factors involved. For example, on a par four, an expert player is expected to take two shots to hit the putting surface, then two putts to get the ball into the hole.

With this definition of par set, we can now work out the green in regulation for each par rating. It’s simple subtraction based on the two putts we assume an expert player will take to get the ball into the hole once they’re on the putting surface.

  • Par 3  – An expert or professional player would be expected to hit the green with their tee (first) shot.
  • Par 4 – Our player must hit the green with their second shot.
  • Par 5 – The player has to get the ball onto the dance floor with their third shot. 

For the green in regulation stat to be met, the ball  must  remain on the putting surface. It cannot be on the fringe or in the greenside rough. This stat puts a premium on ball striking and accuracy.

If a golfer hits the par 4 green in ONE shot, or a par 5 in TWO shots, he is considered on the green in UNDER REGULATION. 

green in regulation explained in a chart

For high-handicappers, obtaining a GIR is a real achievement. As you get better at the game of golf, you will most likely see your GIR percentage improve over time. Tracking these stats can be done in a number of ways. The basic way is to mark a GIR on your scorecard and then add them up at the end of each round. The most common way for many golfers is to use a golf stat tracking app, either on your mobile phone or through a golf watch.

If you hit a green in regulation, you have a better chance of making a birdie and if under regulation, an eagle . 

When is a golf ball considered on the green?

According to the USGA , Your ball is on the putting green. when any part of it: Touches the putting green. 

A little bit of the ball must touch the green. Then you can mark it and clean as normal on the putting green. Some of your ball can even be touching the fringe, but if it is also touching the green surface, you are considered on the green. 

Does fringe count as a green in regulation?

No, the fringe does not count as green in regulation. This does not mean you cannot use your putter to hit the ball. You should put the wedge or iron away and instead, putt the ball from the fringe for lower scores. Easy game!

What is a Good GIR Percentage?

A good green in regulation percentage is anything above 33% as an amateur which is 6 greens in regulation. Of course, GIR will depend on your handicap but any number of greens in regulation is good for most amateurs. A good GIR percentage for low handicappers is more than 50%.

How can I hit more greens in regulation?

Now that we know what this term means, how can we hit more greens in regulation? The PGA tour record is 69 out of 72 holes in a tournament, do you think you could match that?

Target par 3s

Par 3’s are the shortest holes on the golf course and present an opportunity to hit the green in regulation. You will be able to tee the ball up which will help you make clean contact with the golf ball and increase your chances on hitting the green with your first shot. Generally speaking, club selection on par 3s is limited so it reduces the complexity of the shot. Even a newer golfer could expect to hit a green in regulation with a shorter golf club in hand.

Get in play on par 4s

If you’re hitting your approach shots from the deep rough, you don’t have a realistic shot at hitting the green in regulation as an amateur golfer. Driving accuracy is key here. Most golfers choose the wrong club to hit from the tee box, so pick one which gives you confidence. You want your approach shot to give you the best chance on getting on the putting surface with your second shot. Remember to aim away from hazards like fairway bunkers. The more fairways hit the higher your GIR percentage will be.

Learn to hit it long! (strokes gained)

The big difference between amateur golfers and professional golfers is the distance they hit the golf ball. Hitting a par 5 green in regulation is much more achievable for pga tour players as they will be able to hit the green with their second stroke or be green side in two, leaving a short chip or approach shot into the green. Most amateur golfers will be hitting a longer club in the the green and will need to have good accuracy and distance control to hit the green in three shots.

By learning to hit the ball further, you are statistically increasing your chances of hitting greens in regulation  BUT  you must retain a high level of accuracy. Those who chance distance and only distance will sacrifice their short game and touch on the putting green.

Yes PGA tour pros like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy can bomb it way past the everyday golfer, but they balance this distance with supreme short game skill. This strokes gained approach has become very popular in recent times but I don’t think it applies to average golfers.

GIR by handicap - greens in regulation stats

The scratch player is expected to hit the greens in regulation according to the par on the scorecard. As we described above, 1 shot on a par 3, 2 shots on a par 4 and 5 shots on a par 5.

It's very very rare for even a pro golfer to hit all 18 greens in a round. Scratch golfers may hit a few less than a professional and mid handicappers to high handicappers are all much less than that.

Below is a table of expected GIR by handicap 

Greens in Regulation percentage by handicap level

  • 24+ handicap = 0 to 2 greens 
  • 18 to 24 handicap = 1 to 3 greens
  • 12 to 18 handicap = 3 to 6 greens
  • 9 to 12 handicap = 4 to 7 green
  • 6 to 9 handicap = 5 to 8 greens 
  • 3 to 6 handicap = 6 to 9 greens
  • 0 to 2 handicap = 8 to 12 greens
  • +3 to +1 handicap = 10 to 13 greens 
  • Tour average: 11.7 greens

Average GIR Percentage on the PGA Tour

The average GIR percentage on the PGA Tour is 65% according to the PGA Tour Stats section . In 2021, Cameron Percy was the best and he hit 72% of greens while Martin Trainer hit only 55% at the bottom of the rankings. 

PGA Tour Approach Shot Statistics (GIR Percentage) by distance of approach

Here we look at the green in regulation of PGA Tour pros from each distance taken from the PGA Tour Approach The Green Stats page : 200+ yards - 40% of greens . When pros hit the green from 200 or more yards, proximity to the hole is between 43 and 54 feet from the cup. This should give you hope! If you’re over 200 yards from the hole and hit the green, that's good because Tour Pros hit less than half! 175-200 yards - 53% of greens . Inside 200 yards, PGA Tour golfers hit just about half the greens with an average of 34 feet from the hole. 150-175 yards - 63% of greens . From 9 iron to 7 iron range, Tour pros hit another 1 out of 10 greens more the above and hit it a bit closer to the hole: 27 feet from the hole. 125-150 yards - 69% of greens . Despite this being GW to 9 iron range, pros hit it 23 feet away from the cup! This may sound surprising and it is. But it also means we should be less fussy when we do hit a green with our GW PW or 9 iron. Sometimes we get annoyed because we are not 6 feet from the hole! 100-125 yards - 74% of greens . Average proximity to the hole is 20 feet with a sand wedge, gap wedge or pitching wedge.It is surprising to see pros hit only 3 out of 4 greens from here but the pins are put in the most difficult positions on the greens! Less than 100 yards - 81% of greens . Pros hit the ball to about 17 feet from the short range inside their sand wedge zone. If you can attain 80% of greens every time you have a shot below 100 yards into the green, you will be an elite player!

How many greens in regulation to break 80?

To break 80, you only need 6 or 7 greens in regulation. According to Golf Sidekick Triple 6 Sub 80 System , you only need 6 greens in regulation, and 6 up and downs to break 80 easily.

how many greens in regulation to break 80?

Hitting greens in regulation for  recreational golfers  can be a way to lower your scores, but it’s not the only stat to focus on. You hit the green but be far from hole and if your putting isn’t up to scratch, then you might end up with a worse score than in if you hit it  pin high onto the fringe. Bring down your putting average, hit more fairways and more GIR will become a reality.

SwingTalks

Understanding Greens In Regulation: Importance, Calculation, And Strategies

Brenda draughn.

August 12, 2023

Discover the definition and importance of (GIR) in golf. Learn how to calculate GIR, factors affecting it, and strategies to improve. Analyze GIR statistics and its impact on performance. Find out common mistakes and training exercises to enhance your GIR game.

Definition of Greens in Regulation

Green in Regulation (GIR) is a crucial concept in golf that measures a player’s ability to hit the ball onto the green within the regulation number of strokes. The concept refers to achieving success in reaching the green in a predetermined number of shots based on the par of the hole. This key statistic is used to assess a golfer’s performance and success in terms of accuracy and consistency.

Understanding the Concept

To understand Greens in Regulation, it is important to grasp the concept of par. Par is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to complete a hole in, including two putts. For example, a par 4 means that a golfer should be able to complete the hole in four strokes.

When a player successfully reaches the green in regulation, it means they have achieved the goal of hitting the ball onto the green within the predetermined number of shots. If a player reaches the green in fewer strokes than the par of the hole, it is considered a “birdie opportunity” as they have a chance to make a birdie by completing the hole with one or two putts.

Importance in Golf Scoring

The ability to consistently hit Greens in Regulation is vital for achieving lower scores in golf. When a player reaches the green in regulation, they position themselves for a better chance at making a par or better on the hole. This is because they have given themselves a chance to complete the hole within the expected number of strokes.

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By hitting Greens in Regulation, a player can minimize the number of extra shots needed to complete a hole, reducing the risk of bogeys or worse. As scoring in golf is based on the number of strokes taken, being able to consistently hit Greens in Regulation significantly improves a player’s chances of achieving a lower overall score.

Furthermore, hitting Greens in Regulation also has a psychological impact on golfers. It boosts confidence and provides a sense of control over the game. When a player consistently finds themselves on the green in regulation, they feel more in command and have a higher level of belief in their abilities. This positive mindset can positively influence their performance throughout the round.

In summary, Greens in Regulation is a fundamental concept in golf that measures a player’s ability to hit the ball onto the green within the regulation number of shots. It plays a critical role in determining a player’s scoring and overall success in the game. By understanding the concept and recognizing its importance, golfers can work towards improving their GIR percentage and ultimately enhance their overall performance on the course.

Calculating Greens in Regulation

When it comes to evaluating a golfer’s performance, one key statistic that is often considered is the number of Greens in Regulation (GIR) they achieve. GIR refers to hitting the green in regulation, which means reaching the putting surface in the expected number of strokes or fewer. This statistic provides valuable insight into a player’s ability to execute accurate and well-placed shots.

The Formula

Calculating Greens in Regulation is a straightforward process that involves determining the number of successful shots a golfer makes in reaching the green. The formula for calculating GIR is as follows:

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GIR = (Number of Successful Shots to the Green) / (Number of Holes Played) * 100

To determine the number of successful shots, a golfer needs to hit the green in regulation or better. This means that the ball must be on the putting surface after the player’s tee shot on par 3 holes, their second shot on par 4 holes, and their third shot on par 5 holes.

For example, if a golfer hits 12 greens in regulation out of 18 holes played, the calculation would be as follows:

GIR = (12 / 18) * 100 = 66.67%

In this case, the golfer achieved a GIR percentage of 66.67%.

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Determining Successful Shots

Determining whether a shot is successful in reaching the green in regulation depends on various factors. The distance from the tee, accuracy of the tee shot, and course conditions all play a role in determining the success of a shot.

  • Distance from Tee : The longer the hole, the more challenging it becomes to hit the green in regulation. A golfer’s ability to hit longer shots accurately greatly influences their GIR percentage. Longer holes require more precise and powerful shots, increasing the difficulty of reaching the green in regulation.
  • Accuracy of Tee Shot : The accuracy of a golfer’s tee shot is crucial in determining whether they can reach the green in regulation. A well-placed tee shot sets up the subsequent shots, making it easier to hit the green. If a tee shot goes astray and lands in a difficult position, it becomes more challenging to achieve GIR.
  • Course Conditions : The conditions of the golf course, such as the firmness of the fairways and greens, the presence of hazards, and the layout of the course, can impact a golfer’s ability to hit the green in regulation. For example, a wet or soft course may result in less roll and require additional distance to reach the green. Similarly, challenging hazards or narrow fairways can increase the difficulty of achieving GIR.

To improve the chances of hitting the green in regulation, golfers need to focus on both distance and accuracy. Choosing the right club, practicing approach shots, and maintaining a strong mental game can all contribute to a higher GIR percentage. By analyzing GIR statistics and comparing performance to peers, golfers can identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance their overall game.

In the next section, we will explore strategies to improve Greens in Regulation, including tips on selecting the right club, focusing on accuracy, and incorporating effective practice techniques.

Please note that the above information is for reference purposes only and may not be covered in detail in the subsequent sections.

Factors Affecting Greens in Regulation

Greens in Regulation (GIR) is an important concept in the game of golf, as it measures a player’s ability to hit the ball onto the putting surface within the regulation number of strokes. Achieving GIR requires a combination of factors that affect the outcome of each shot. In this section, we will explore three key factors that can significantly impact a player’s ability to achieve Greens in Regulation: distance from the tee, accuracy of the tee shot, and course conditions.

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Distance from Tee

The distance from the tee plays a crucial role in determining a player’s ability to hit the ball onto the green. The longer the distance, the more challenging it becomes to achieve GIR. This is because longer shots require more power and precision, making it harder to control the trajectory and direction of the ball. Players who struggle with distance may find it difficult to consistently reach the green in regulation, resulting in lower GIR percentages.

To improve distance from the tee, golfers can focus on developing their swing mechanics and increasing their clubhead speed. Proper technique and efficient transfer of energy from the body to the club can help generate more power and distance. Additionally, using clubs with appropriate loft and shaft flex can also contribute to maximizing distance off the tee.

Accuracy of Tee Shot

Accuracy is another critical factor that affects a player’s ability to achieve GIR. Even if a player can hit the ball a considerable distance, if it veers off-course or lands in a hazard, it becomes challenging to reach the green in regulation. Accuracy is essential in both the horizontal and vertical aspects of the tee shot. A well-struck tee shot that finds the fairway provides a better chance for the player to execute an approach shot that reaches the green.

To improve accuracy off the tee, golfers can focus on their alignment, grip, and swing path. Practicing proper alignment and ensuring the clubface is square at impact can help reduce the chances of a wayward shot. Additionally, working on a consistent swing path can contribute to hitting the ball straighter, increasing the likelihood of finding the fairway and setting up an opportunity for GIR.

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Course Conditions

Course conditions also play a significant role in determining a player’s ability to achieve GIR. Factors such as the firmness of the fairways, the length of the rough, and the speed and firmness of the greens can all influence a player’s approach shot and their chances of reaching the green in regulation.

When the fairways are firm, the ball tends to roll more, potentially increasing the distance a shot travels. On the other hand, when the fairways are soft, the ball may not roll as far, requiring players to adjust their club selection and approach accordingly. Similarly, longer rough can impede a player’s ability to control the distance and accuracy of their approach shot.

Green conditions, including speed and firmness, also impact a player’s ability to hold the green. Faster greens require precise control of distance and spin, while firmer greens may result in shots bouncing and rolling off the putting surface.

Adapting to course conditions is crucial for achieving GIR. Golfers must assess the course conditions before each shot and make necessary adjustments to their club selection, shot shape, and target landing area.

Strategies to Improve Greens in Regulation

Improving your greens in regulation (GIR) is essential for achieving success in golf. By consistently hitting the green in the regulation number of strokes, you increase your chances of making par or better on each hole. To help you enhance your GIR performance, here are some effective strategies you can employ:

Choosing the Right Club

One of the key factors in improving your GIR is selecting the right club for each shot. Different clubs have varying distances and trajectories, and understanding how they perform can greatly impact your accuracy and distance control. Consider the following tips when choosing the right club:

  • Know your distances : Spend time on the driving range, experimenting with different clubs and recording the distances you achieve with each one. This will help you develop a better understanding of your capabilities and enable you to make more informed decisions on the course.
  • Consider the wind and course conditions : Take into account the wind direction and speed, as well as the course conditions such as firmness or softness of the fairway and green. Adjust your club selection accordingly to compensate for these factors.
  • Evaluate the pin placement : Assess the location of the pin on the green before selecting your club. If the pin is positioned towards the back of the green, you may need to choose a club that allows for more carry distance. Conversely, if the pin is closer to the front, a club with less carry but more roll may be appropriate.

Remember, choosing the right club is not only about maximizing distance but also about optimizing accuracy and control. Finding the right balance between these factors will significantly improve your GIR performance.

Focusing on Accuracy

Accuracy is paramount when it comes to improving your GIR. Even if you have good distance control, if you consistently miss the green, your scores will suffer. Here are some tips to help you focus on accuracy:

  • Visualize your shot : Before executing your shot, visualize the trajectory and landing spot on the green. This mental image will help you align your body and clubface correctly, increasing the chances of hitting your target.
  • Develop a consistent pre-shot routine : Establishing a pre-shot routine that includes alignment, grip, and posture can help you maintain consistency and accuracy throughout your round. Stick to this routine for every shot to build muscle memory and increase your chances of hitting the green.
  • Practice your short game : A strong short game can compensate for any inaccuracies in your approach shots. Spend time practicing your chipping and putting to improve your ability to save par even if you miss the green.

By focusing on accuracy, you’ll not only increase your GIR percentage but also give yourself more opportunities to make birdies and pars.

Practicing Approach Shots

To improve your GIR, it’s crucial to dedicate time to practicing your approach shots. These shots require precision and control, and practicing them will help you develop the necessary skills. Here are a few practice exercises to enhance your approach shots:

  • Targeted iron shots : Set up targets on the driving range or practice area, and aim to hit specific distances with your irons. Start with shorter distances and gradually work your way up. This exercise will improve your distance control and help you become more comfortable with different clubs.
  • Simulated on-course scenarios : Create practice scenarios that simulate real on-course situations. For example, imagine you’re playing a par-4 hole and have to hit your approach shot from a specific distance. Practice these scenarios to improve your ability to execute under pressure.
  • Work on trajectory control : Experiment with different trajectories during your practice sessions. Practice hitting high, medium, and low shots to develop versatility and adaptability on the course. This skill will be particularly useful when facing challenging pin positions or adverse weather conditions.

Regularly incorporating these practice exercises into your training routine will sharpen your approach shot skills and significantly enhance your GIR performance.

In summary, improving your GIR is essential for achieving success in golf. By choosing the right club, focusing on accuracy, and practicing your approach shots, you’ll be well on your way to increasing your GIR percentage and lowering your scores. Implement these strategies into your training regimen and watch your game reach new heights.

Analyzing Greens in Regulation Statistics

Golfers of all skill levels strive to improve their game, and one important aspect they focus on is Greens in Regulation (GIR). Analyzing GIR statistics can provide valuable insights into a player’s performance and help identify areas for improvement. In this section, we will explore how tracking the GIR percentage and comparing performance to peers can enhance a golfer’s understanding of their game.

Tracking GIR Percentage

Tracking the GIR percentage is a fundamental way to measure a golfer’s success in hitting . The GIR percentage is calculated by dividing the number of greens hit in regulation by the total number of opportunities to hit greens in regulation. This statistic allows golfers to evaluate their consistency and accuracy in approaching the greens.

To track the GIR percentage, golfers can keep a record of each round played, noting whether they hit the green in regulation or not. By consistently tracking this statistic over time, golfers can identify trends in their performance and gauge their progress. Additionally, tracking GIR percentage can help golfers set realistic goals and measure their improvement over time.

Comparing Performance to Peers

Another valuable way to analyze GIR statistics is by comparing performance to peers. This comparison provides context and allows golfers to see how they stack up against others with similar skill levels. By evaluating their GIR percentage in relation to their peers, golfers can gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

One way to compare performance to peers is by utilizing online platforms or golfing communities that provide access to statistical data from other golfers. These platforms allow golfers to input their own GIR data and compare it to the data of players with similar handicaps or skill levels. This information can be eye-opening and can help golfers identify areas where they may be excelling or struggling compared to their peers.

Additionally, comparing performance to peers can provide motivation and inspiration. Seeing how other golfers achieve high GIR percentages can encourage golfers to strive for improvement and adopt strategies that have proven successful for others. It can also offer a sense of camaraderie and community as golfers share their experiences and learn from one another.

  • Did you know that tracking your GIR percentage is a great way to measure your success in hitting ?
  • Have you ever compared your performance to that of other golfers with similar skill levels?
  • Join the conversation and share your experiences in tracking GIR statistics!

Greens in Regulation on Professional Tours

On the professional golf tours, greens in regulation (GIR) is a crucial statistic that measures a player’s ability to hit the green in the regulation number of shots. This statistic provides valuable insights into a player’s overall performance and can be a determining factor in their success on the course.

Average GIR Statistics

Understanding the average GIR statistics on professional tours can give us a clear picture of the skill level required to compete at the highest level. The top players consistently achieve high GIR percentages, showcasing their ability to consistently hit accurate approach shots.

On the PGA Tour, the average GIR percentage for the top-ranked players is typically around 70% or higher. This means that these players are hitting the green in regulation on 70% or more of their approach shots. It’s important to note that these are the best players in the world, and achieving such high GIR percentages requires exceptional skill and precision.

In women’s professional golf, the average GIR percentage is slightly lower compared to the PGA Tour. However, the top-ranked players still maintain GIR percentages in the range of 65% to 70%, highlighting their ability to consistently hit accurate approach shots.

Impact on Tournament Performance

The ability to consistently achieve greens in regulation has a significant impact on a player’s tournament performance. When a player can hit the green in regulation, they give themselves a better chance at making birdies or saving par. This ultimately leads to lower scores and a better chance of finishing high on the leaderboard.

Players who struggle to hit the green in regulation often find themselves scrambling to save par or even bogeying holes. This puts them at a disadvantage, as they are forced to rely on their short game skills to make up for their missed greens. While scrambling can be an important skill to have, consistently hitting greens in regulation is more reliable and less stressful.

High GIR percentages also contribute to a player’s overall consistency. When a player is consistently hitting greens in regulation, they are less likely to have big swings in their scores. This stability allows them to stay in contention throughout a tournament and increases their chances of finishing well.

In addition to the impact on individual tournament performance, GIR percentages also contribute to a player’s overall ranking and standing on the tour. Consistently high GIR percentages are a strong indicator of a player’s overall ball-striking skills and can elevate their position in the tour rankings.

Greens in Regulation vs. Other Golf Statistics

When it comes to analyzing a golfer’s performance, there are several statistics that are commonly used. Two key metrics that are often compared are Greens in Regulation (GIR) and Scrambling. These statistics provide valuable insights into a golfer’s ability to hit greens and recover from missed greens, respectively. Additionally, comparing GIR to Fairways Hit can also shed light on a golfer’s overall accuracy and consistency off the tee. Let’s delve into the relationship between these statistics and understand their significance in evaluating a golfer’s performance.

Relationship to Scrambling

Scrambling is a statistic that measures a golfer’s ability to save par or better after missing a green in regulation. It takes into account the number of times a golfer misses the green but still manages to make par or better by getting up and down from around the green. Scrambling is often seen as a measure of a golfer’s short game skills and their ability to recover from difficult situations.

While GIR focuses on the number of greens hit in regulation, Scrambling provides insights into a golfer’s ability to convert missed greens into pars or better. These two statistics are closely related and can complement each other in evaluating a golfer’s overall performance. For example, a golfer with a high GIR percentage but a low Scrambling percentage may struggle to convert missed greens into pars, leading to higher scores. On the other hand, a golfer with a lower GIR percentage but a high Scrambling percentage may be able to save strokes by making up for missed greens with exceptional short game skills.

It’s important to note that both GIR and Scrambling are influenced by various factors such as the difficulty of the course, pin placements, and the golfer’s skill level. A golfer playing on a challenging course with tight pin positions may find it harder to hit greens in regulation, resulting in a lower GIR percentage. However, if they are able to save par or better consistently with their scrambling skills, their overall performance may still be commendable.

Comparing GIR to Fairways Hit

Another statistic that is often compared to Greens in Regulation is Fairways Hit. Fairways Hit measures the percentage of times a golfer successfully hits the fairway off the tee. It is a measure of accuracy and consistency in driving the ball.

While both GIR and Fairways Hit provide insights into a golfer’s accuracy, they focus on different aspects of the game. GIR focuses on the ability to hit greens in regulation, which includes the accuracy of approach shots from fairways or other locations. Fairways Hit, on the other hand, specifically measures the accuracy of the tee shots.

Comparing these two statistics can give a better understanding of a golfer’s overall game. For example, a golfer who consistently hits fairways but struggles to hit greens in regulation may have excellent tee shot accuracy but lacks the ability to convert those accurate drives into scoring opportunities. On the other hand, a golfer who hits a high percentage of greens in regulation but struggles to hit fairways off the tee may rely on exceptional approach shots to compensate for their lack of accuracy from the tee.

Understanding the relationship between GIR and Fairways Hit can help golfers identify areas for improvement in their game. It can also help golfers strategize their approach on the course. For example, if a golfer consistently hits fairways but struggles with approach shots, they may want to focus on improving their iron play. Conversely, if a golfer has a high GIR percentage but struggles with accuracy off the tee, they may need to work on their driving accuracy to give themselves more opportunities to hit greens in regulation.

Common Mistakes in Achieving Greens in Regulation

Greens in Regulation (GIR) is a crucial aspect of that measures the number of times a player reaches the green within the designated par. However, many golfers make common mistakes that hinder their ability to achieve GIR consistently. In this section, we will explore two prevalent errors that golfers often make: overreliance on distance and lack of course management.

Overreliance on Distance

One of the most common mistakes golfers make when striving for Greens in Regulation is an overreliance on distance. While hitting the ball far off the tee is undoubtedly impressive, it doesn’t guarantee success in reaching the green. Golfers often fall into the trap of focusing solely on their power and neglecting other essential aspects of their game.

It’s important to remember that golf is not just about hitting the ball as far as possible. Accuracy and precision play a significant role in achieving GIR. A golfer who can consistently hit the ball straight and control their shots will have a higher chance of reaching the green in regulation, even if their distance may be slightly shorter than others.

To overcome the mistake of overrelying on distance, golfers should focus on developing a well-rounded game. This includes working on accuracy, shot control, and understanding the nuances of each club in their bag. By improving these aspects, golfers can increase their chances of achieving GIR consistently.

Lack of Course Management

Another common mistake that golfers make is a lack of course management when aiming for Greens in Regulation. Course management refers to the ability to assess the course’s layout, conditions, and hazards to make strategic decisions that maximize the chances of reaching the green.

Many golfers fall into the trap of trying to overpower the course or attempting risky shots that may not be worth the reward. This lack of strategic thinking often leads to missed greens and increased scores. Understanding the importance of course management can significantly improve a golfer’s ability to achieve GIR consistently.

To avoid the mistake of poor course management, golfers should take the time to study the course before their round. This includes familiarizing themselves with the layout, noting the positions of hazards, and identifying the best angles of approach for each hole. By doing so, golfers can make informed decisions about club selection, shot placement, and the level of risk they are willing to take.

Additionally, golfers should adapt their strategy based on the conditions they encounter during their round. Factors such as wind speed, course firmness, and pin placement can greatly impact the approach to each hole. By adjusting their game plan accordingly, golfers can optimize their chances of reaching the green in regulation.

Table: Common Mistakes in Achieving Greens in Regulation

In the table above, we summarize the impact of the common mistakes of overreliance on distance and lack of course management on achieving Greens in Regulation (GIR). Both mistakes have a negative effect on a golfer’s ability to consistently reach the green within the designated par. By recognizing and addressing these mistakes, golfers can improve their GIR percentages and enhance their overall golfing performance.

Importance of Greens in Regulation in Different Golf Formats

In the game of golf, (GIR) play a crucial role in determining a player’s success. GIR refers to the number of times a golfer hits the green in the regulation number of strokes or fewer. This statistic is important because it provides insight into a player’s ability to hit accurate approach shots and ultimately affects their overall scoring. The importance of GIR varies depending on the golf format being played, whether it is stroke play or match play.

Stroke Play

In stroke play, the most common format in golf, each player’s score is based on the total number of strokes taken throughout the entire round. The player with the lowest total score at the end of the round is the winner. Greens in regulation are particularly important in stroke play because they directly impact a player’s ability to score well.

When a player consistently hits , they give themselves a better chance of making pars or birdies. This means fewer strokes are needed to complete each hole, leading to a lower overall score. On the other hand, missing can result in extra strokes being added to the scorecard, as the player may need to chip or putt from off the green. Therefore, in stroke play, where every stroke counts, achieving a high percentage of greens in regulation is vital for success.

Match play is a different format in which players compete hole by hole instead of based on the total number of strokes. In each hole, the player with the lowest score wins that particular hole. The player who wins the most holes out of the total number played is the winner of the match. In match play, the importance of greens in regulation is slightly different than in stroke play.

While hitting greens in regulation is still advantageous in match play, the focus shifts more towards winning individual holes rather than accumulating a low overall score. Hitting can put pressure on the opponent, as it gives the player an opportunity to make birdies or win holes outright. Additionally, when a player hits the green in regulation, they have a better chance of avoiding mistakes such as three-putting or hitting into hazards, which can cost them a hole.

However, match play also allows for more strategic play. Sometimes, players intentionally choose to lay up short of the green to avoid potential hazards or difficult pin positions. In these situations, hitting becomes less important, as the player’s strategy may involve playing for a more manageable approach shot from a preferred distance. Nevertheless, being able to hit greens in regulation consistently can still provide a significant advantage, especially if the opponent is struggling to do so.

To summarize, greens in regulation hold importance in both stroke play and match play, but their significance may vary slightly depending on the format. In stroke play, hitting directly affects a player’s overall score, making it crucial for achieving a low total. In match play, while the focus is on winning individual holes, hitting can still create opportunities for birdies and put pressure on opponents. Ultimately, regardless of the format, the ability to consistently hit greens in regulation is a valuable skill that can contribute to success on the golf course.

Check out the table below to understand the importance of GIR in stroke play and match play:

Training Exercises to Improve Greens in Regulation

Golfers who aspire to improve their greens in regulation (GIR) stats understand the importance of targeted iron shots and simulated on-course scenarios. These training exercises not only enhance their accuracy and distance control but also help them develop a strategic mindset while approaching each shot. In this section, we will explore these two key aspects of training and provide valuable insights on how to incorporate them into your practice routine.

Targeted Iron Shots

One of the most effective ways to improve greens in regulation is by mastering targeted iron shots. This exercise focuses on developing precision and consistency in hitting the green from various distances. By practicing this skill, golfers can significantly increase their chances of achieving GIR and subsequently improve their overall scoring.

To perform targeted iron shots, follow these steps:

  • Choose a Target : Set up a target area on the driving range or practice facility that simulates the size of a green. This could be a flagstick, a hula hoop, or any other object that can serve as a visual target.
  • Select an Iron : Start with your mid-iron (6 or 7 iron) as it provides a good balance between distance and control. As you progress, you can experiment with different irons to simulate various approach shots.
  • Establish a Routine : Develop a consistent pre-shot routine that includes aligning your body, visualizing the shot, and taking a few practice swings. This routine will help you create a sense of familiarity and build confidence.
  • Execute the Shot : Aim for the target area and focus on striking the ball cleanly. Pay attention to your body alignment, grip, and posture to ensure a solid swing. Visualize the ball landing on the designated target and rolling towards the hole.
  • Analyze and Adjust : After each shot, evaluate the result and make necessary adjustments. Take note of any tendencies or patterns that may affect your accuracy. This feedback loop will help you refine your technique over time.

By regularly practicing targeted iron shots, you will develop a stronger understanding of distance control, trajectory, and shot shaping. These skills are essential in improving your GIR percentage and ultimately lowering your scores on the golf course.

Simulated On-Course Scenarios

While targeted iron shots focus on honing your accuracy, simulated on-course scenarios provide an opportunity to replicate real-life golf situations. This exercise helps you develop a strategic mindset, enabling you to navigate different challenges and make better decisions on the course.

To incorporate simulated on-course scenarios into your training, consider the following:

  • Course Mapping : Familiarize yourself with the layout of the golf course you frequently play. Identify specific holes or scenarios where GIR becomes crucial. These could include long par 4s, approach shots over hazards, or holes with narrow landing areas.
  • Shot Selection : Based on the course mapping, determine the ideal club selection for each scenario. Consider factors such as distance to the green, wind conditions, and any obstacles that may come into play. This exercise will enhance your ability to strategize and choose the right club for each shot.
  • Visualization : Before hitting each shot, visualize the desired outcome. Imagine the ball landing on the green and rolling towards the hole. This mental imagery will help you focus and execute the shot with confidence.
  • Varying Scenarios : To simulate a realistic on-course experience, incorporate different scenarios during your practice sessions. For example, practice hitting approach shots from uneven lies, hitting into imaginary greenside bunkers, or navigating dogleg holes. This variety will prepare you for the unpredictability of the golf course.
  • Track Progress : Keep a record of your performance during simulated on-course scenarios. Monitor your GIR percentage, note any improvements, and identify areas that require further attention. Regularly analyzing your progress will help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your game.

By engaging in simulated on-course scenarios, you will enhance your decision-making skills, improve your course management abilities, and ultimately increase your chances of hitting more greens in regulation. This exercise will not only benefit your GIR stats but also contribute to an overall improvement in your golf performance.

In conclusion, incorporating targeted iron shots and simulated on-course scenarios into your training routine is vital for improving your greens in regulation stats. These exercises will enhance your accuracy, distance control, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities on the golf course. Remember to practice consistently, analyze your performance, and make adjustments as needed. By dedicating time and effort to these training exercises, you will see a noticeable improvement in your GIR percentage and ultimately elevate your golf game to new heights.

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tour average gir

Brenda Draughn is a professional golfer and writer with over 15 years of experience in the sport. Brenda started playing golf at a young age and quickly fell in love with the game, dedicating herself to mastering the intricacies of the swing and improving her technique.

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PGA Tour Stats: Could the top-5 leaders in greens in regulation be a predictor for success at Shinnecock Hills?

There are several reasons to look at the greens-in-regulation stat amongst all PGA Tour stats to portend success at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club . The first is pure math. The 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. In other words, if you hit one more green per round, which is four over the course of four days, these leaders have the opportunity to pick up an extra stroke on the field. Pretty handy.

Then there’s U.S. Open history. In the past 10 U.S. Opens, the winner has never been worse than T-18 for the week in GIR—and six times they have been inside the top seven. The past two years, the winner led the field in GIR for the week. With that in mind, here’s a look at the top five in greens in regulation on the PGA Tour and the irons they use.

THE PLAYERS Championship - Round Three

David Cannon

Henrik Stenson

Greens in Regulation average : 75.00 percent

Irons: Callaway Legacy Black

Stenson is still playing the same irons he used during his FedEx Cup championship run, Callaway’s Legacy Black model. The forged, cavity-back irons are only currently available in the European and Asian market. After winning the Open Championship in 2016, Stenson spoke to Golf Digest about why he likes those irons. “You’ve got the forgiveness, but at address it looks like a traditional blade,” he said. “They’re thicker on the bottom and have a bit more forgiveness to them. You don’t need to make the game harder than it is. I know professionals can make the game look easy at times, but it’s still a game of small margins and if the technology can help you save a few yards on your miss, it’s definitely worth it. That’s why I put them in play. I’m already on my fourth set of these.” Being significantly better than the average, we'd say they're working well pretty well for the Swede.

The Memorial Tournament Presented By Nationwide - Round Two

Jordan Spieth

Greens in Regulation average : 71.98 percent

Irons: (4) : Titleist 718 T-MB ; (5-9) : Titleist 718 AP2 ; (PW) : Titleist Vokey SM7

Although Titleist’s 718 AP2 make up the bulk of Spieth’s iron set, it is his 4-iron that is most interesting from a technology standpoint. Spieth employs the company’s 718 T-MB model, a hollow iron infused with heavy tungsten weighting low in the club to help produce shots that launch higher with less spin. Spieth also employs a Titleist Vokey SM7 46-degree wedge for his pitching wedge. Spieth does something with that wedge and his gap wedge everyday players should consider. He uses the same shaft (Project X 6.5) that he has in his irons in his 46-degree wedge and gap wedge.

Fort Worth Invitational - Final Round

Michael Reaves

Greens in Regulation average : 71.90 percent

Irons: (3) : Titleist 716 T-MB; (4-9) : Titleist 680; (PW) : Titleist Vokey SM7

Scott employs a split set of irons with a hollow-body 716 T-MB 3-iron (that fills a distance gap nicely between his 3-iron and fairway woods) and a 48-degree Vokey SM7 pitching wedge bookending his reliable Titleist 680 muscleback blade irons, a model first introduced back in 2005, but one Scott went to in 2014.

Quicken Loans National - Final Round

Kyle Stanley

Greens in Regulation average : 71.67 percent

Irons: (4-5) : Titleist 718 CB ; (6-PW): Nike Vapor Pro Combo

As a former Nike staff player, Stanley has the freedom to play any clubs he so chooses. However, his Nike Vapor Pro Combo irons remain in the bag for the mid- and short irons. Those irons have a combination of a thin, high-strength steel face plus extra weight in the toe to keep the center of gravity in line with the center of the face. For his longer irons Stanley has opted for Titleist’s 718 CB , which marries a forged cavity-back body made from 1025 carbon steel with a 17-4 stainless-steel face insert. The Titleist irons also feature tungsten in the heel and toe areas for forgiveness.

Wells Fargo Championship - Round Two

Streeter Lecka

Related: PGA Tour stats: The top 5 players in proximity to the hole and the irons they use

Gary Woodland

Greens in Regulation average: 71.35 percent

Irons: (2) : Titleist 716 T-MB; (4-9) : Titleist 716 MB; (PW) : Titleist Vokey SM7

Woodland has the benefit of being one of the longer hitters on tour, which certainly helps put a shorter iron in hand and improves his greens-in-regulation percentage. Woodland has a split set of Titleist irons that contains the hollow-body T-MB as his 2-iron and Titleist’s new Vokey SM7 wedge at the other end of his set. In between Woodland goes old school with the company’s 716 model of its muscleback blade MB iron.

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The Most Important Number In Golf And How You Can Improve On It: Greens In Regulation 

Before we begin on how to hit more GIRS, let’s define what it is exactly.

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. 

To put it simply, if you have a birdie putt, you hit a green in regulation. 

https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.103.html

Here are the stats for every professional’s GIR. As you can see, this is more evidence that the top 2 like Rahm and Colin Morikawa are legends in the making.

You can be too. (To your buddies at your local course at the very least)

The concept is very simple, you are much more likely to par if you’re on the green versus if you were in the rough or in the trap.

Let’s extrapolate some data.

THE PGA TOUR AVERAGE GIR IS 68.2% WHICH WORKS OUT TO BE ABOUT 12.5 GREENS IN REGULATION PER ROUND.

Put a PGA tour player with 160 yards to the flag and they will only hit the green 69% of the time…

Averaging 27ft from the stick (not exactly peppering the pin is it?)

Get your GIR percentage up and you will improve across the board.

But we also need to find a benchmark for you to excel from…

tour average gir

THESE ARE THE STATS FOR THE AVERAGE GOLFER GIR (GREENS IN REGULATION) ACCORDING TO ARCCOS SHOT TRACKING SOFTWARE.

25 or above handicap  you are only going to hit 16% of greens in regulation.

20 handicap – 20.4 %

15 handicap – 25.9 %

10 handicap – 34.6

5 -0 handicap – 45-58%

Now these stats do not take into consideration age or the length/difficulty of the courses played but you get the idea…

You have to be a little kinder to yourself and set realistic goals.

You will see better results because of the reduced pressure and increased confidence.

But we are certainly not going to just accept mediocrity as your fate.

golf stats greens in regulation simple golf

To cut five strokes off of your average score,  a good guide is to average two more GIR per round.

If you currently hit 4 greens in regulation and we increase that amount to 6 or 7, you will drop 5-6 shots per round. 

That’s huge.

If you average at the high end of the chart for scoring average and want to cut a couple of strokes, you can indeed do it through the short game. But if you are already scoring as well as you can for your GIR numbers, the only way to lower your average score is to hit more greens

In order to accomplish that increase, you must have the confidence that your approach shot will reach the green. Whether it’s 90 yards out or 190 yards out, you have to know what you are doing with every iron.

Now on to the next point…

Let me tell you a story that I think might resonate with you…

There’s a golfer who’s been playing for over 25 years, his name is Mike.

golf swing irons consistency

He only uses 4-5 clubs in his bag. When it comes to irons…

He uses his “ol’ trusty” 5 iron no matter the distance left to the flag.

He knows he won’t reach the pin that’s 230 yards away but as he says… “ it’s better than topping a fairway wood right?”

So yet again he plucks out the 5 iron and moves it  160 yards… 

Better than the 8 iron he chunks too often too…

Because that’s what he’s comfortable with.

Humans tend to stick with what is comfortable regardless of whether it benefits them or not.

Don’t be afraid or let’s call it lazy like Mike.

If he knew how to approach iron pay, the game and his swing differently… t hen decided to put in the work with his other irons, his score would improve drastically.

But Mike, like the majority of golfers don’t realize quite how much it will.

“In order to play like a champion (or even improve where you are at right now), you must THINK like a champion”

Anyone who has real, long term and consistent success on the golf course isn’t thinking “ I hope I hit it far with my tee shot so I don’t have to use my 5 iron ”.

If you are lining up your shot and feel a lingering sense of uncertainty, replacing that feeling with confidence would make a WORLD of difference.

This is Golf. Simplified.

Alex Fortey

P.S. Keep your eyes peeled because i’m going to show you how to get consistency and confidence breakthrough… Just look out for the next installment of this iron series!

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EEE Golf

What Is GIR In Golf? [Explained]

If you’re looking to improve your golf scoring, keeping track of your stats can be very useful to see where improvements can be made.

One stat which is commonly used when talking about golf is GIR. But whats GIR in golf and how can you use it to help take your game to the next level?

Let’s find out more about the GIR percentage and the GIR golf meaning.

What Is GIR In Golf?

What Is GIR In Golf?

Table of Contents

What Does GIR Mean In Golf?

GIR in golf, also known as green in regulation, is when a golfer hits the ball onto the green in two shots less than the par for the hole .

Green in regulation golf assumes that the number of putts taken on the green in two, so, therefore, hitting the green in two less than par and then taking two putts would achieve a regulation par for the hole.

For example, if a golfer is playing a par 4, they would need to find the putting surface in two shots for it to be green in regulation.

What Does GIR Mean In Golf?

Par 3 – A green in regulation would be achieved if a golfer’s FIRST shot finds the putting surface

Par 4 – A green in regulation would be achieved if a golfer’s SECOND shot finds the putting surface

Par 5 – A green in regulation would be achieved if a golfer’s THIRD shot finds the putting surface

Par 6 – A green in regulation would be achieved if a golfer’s FOURTH shot finds the putting surface

For a green in regulation to be met, the golf ball must finish up on the putting surface. Although the ball doesn’t have to land on the green, it does have to end up there or else it won’t be a green in regulation.

Finding a green in regulation is a great achievement for most amateur golfers. It requires some well-struck shots to be played, but if it can be achieved it gives the everyday golfer a great chance of picking up a birdie .

If a golfer hits the green in fewer than regulation shots, this is known as greens in under regulation . For example, this would be when a player hits a par 4 green in just one shot or on a par 5 in just two shots.

If you’re able to hit a green in under GIR, it’s a great opportunity to make birdies and even eagles . Two putts will be good enough to score a birdie if you’re hitting greens in under-regulation.

Green in regulation stats are very useful for golfers looking to improve their game. Just like a fairways hit stat, golf GIR is ideal for tracking improvement. The more greens hit in regulation, the better the chance of making par and giving yourself birdie putts.

What Is A Good GIR Percentage?

Of course, the aim would be to hit all 18 green within a regulation. This would give you a 100% greens in regulation percentage, however, this is very unlikely and even the best golfers on the PGA Tour rarely hit every single green in regulation.

In fact, the PGA Tour average sits at around the 65% mark, which is just under 12 greens in an 18-hole round of golf .

The best in the 2021-2022 season was Scottie Scheffler with a percentage of 72.29, and the worst was Lucas Herbert with 57.82.

The PGA Tour record since the tour began tracking GIR was Tiger Woods, also known as the greatest of all time, who managed an astonishingly good, 75.15 in 2000.

So if PGA Tour players are missing at least six greens a round, how many greens in regulation should we as amateur golfers be hitting?

Here’s what you should expect as greens in regulation stats based on your handicap:

  • 24+ handicap: ~10% (0-2 greens a round)
  • 18 to 24 handicap: ~16% (1-3 greens a round)
  • 10 to 18 handicap: ~27% (2-5 greens a round)
  • 5 to 9 handicap: ~39% (4-7 greens a round)
  • 1 to 4 handicap: ~50% (6-9 greens a round)
  • 0 to +2 handicap: ~61% (8-11 greens a round)

What Is A Good GIR Percentage?

As a golfer off 1, my aim every round is to hit just over half off the greens in regulation when I play golf.

This is helpful to know because I can’t get too frustrated if I’m missing a few greens when PGA Tour players only hit ~12 greens a round (and they’re quite a lot better than I am!).

PGA Tour GIR Percentage

The PGA Tour is home to the best professional golfers in the world, but the tour average GIR percentage for these top players is only 65%. This number is based on every single approach into the green.

So here we decided to break the PGA Tour GIR average percentage down with the various distances to the green, to see how well you compare.

(Based on the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season)

GIR Percentage 200+ yards – Tour average: 43.92%

GIR Percentage 175 – 200 yards – Tour average: 54.67%

GIR Percentage 150 – 175 yards – Tour average: 63.54%

GIR Percentage 125 – 150 yards – Tour average: 69.53%

GIR Percentage 100 – 125 yards – Tour average: 74.94%

GIR Percentage 75 – 100 yards – Tour average: 78.03%

GIR Percentage <75 yards – Tour average: 87.95%

So even when they’re inside 75 yards, the very best golfers with the best ball striking in the world aren’t hitting the green every single time.

This should help recreational golfers feel a little better when they’re out on the golf course, knowing that the PGA Tour average GIR isn’t actually as good as it sometimes may appear on the TV.

GIR By Handicap

According to data from The Grint , the number of greens a golfer hits can vary greatly depending on their handicap.

As you would expect, the better players with a handicap of 0-2 are hitting approximately 10 greens out of 18 during a round of golf, compared to those with a handicap of 30+ who are only hitting around 1 green in reg a round.

GIR By Handicap

How To Hit More Greens In Regulation?

Hitting greens in regulation is obviously important if you want to play good golf.

Finding the green in two shots less than the par will give you birdie putts and better chances of making par.

But how do you go about hitting more greens in regulation?

How To Hit More Greens In Regulation?

Longer Tee Shot

The further you can hit it from the tee, the shorter your approach shots will be.

As we can see from the PGA Tour stats, the closer you are to the green, the more chance you have of hitting it in regulation.

Of course, we all want to hit the ball further, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of accuracy.

So it’s important to develop your swing in the correct way, using top coaches to help you , so that other parts of your game don’t suffer.

Keep It In Play

Generally speaking, if you can keep your tee shot in the fairway, you’ve got the best chance of hitting greens in regulation.

If you’re constantly ending up in fairway bunkers or thick rough, you’re going to limit your chances of getting a good shot onto the green.

Hitting it long isn’t everything, so focus on your driving accuracy and finding more fairways if you want to hit more greens and shoot lower scores.

Distance Control

Often overlooked, distance control is hugely important to finding more putting surfaces.

If you know how far you hit each club, it makes club selection much easier and you’ll be more likely to hit it pin high for your tee shot or approach shot.

Even if your line is slightly off, with good distance you’ll still most likely finish up on the green with another GIR in the bag.

Final Thoughts

The greens in regulation percentage is a very useful stat in golf which helps golfers get an idea of how well their game is shaping up.

Professional golf tours rank golfers based on their various stats, especially the golf GIR meaning they can see how well they’re playing from tee to green.

For amateur golfers looking to take their game to the next level, tracking their GIR stats is a great idea to help see if their long game needs some work or whether it’s the short game which is damaging their scores.

When is a golf ball considered on the green?

The R&A states a golf ball is on the green when any part of it is touching the green or if it lies on anything which is inside the edge of the green such as a loose impediment.

Therefore, just a small part of the ball needs to be touching the green for it to be classed as on the green.

Does fringe count as a green in regulation?

Fringe does not count as green in regulation in golf. You can of course still choose to use a putter from the fringe if it makes sense to.

What does GIR stand for in golf?

GIR stands for ‘green in regulation’ and is a way of measuring how well a golfer is playing from tee to green.

What is GIR on par 5?

Green in regulation on a par 5 would be achieved if the golfer gets the ball onto the putting green by the third shot.

What is a GIR on a par 4?

For a par 4, a green in regulation would happen if the player gets onto the green on their second shot.

What is the GIR meaning golf?

The GIR in golf means the number of times a golfer hits a green in two shots less than the par for the hole.

What is an under GIR in golf?

Under GIR in golf is when a golfer’s ball finishes on the green in fewer shots than would be expected for that type of par. For example, a ball which lands on the green in one shot on a par 4 would be regarded as under GIR golf.

tour average gir

Founder, Editor

Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.

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Golfers with highest GIR on PGA tour 2022

Professional golfers with the highest greens in regulation (gir) percentage on the pga tour in 2022.

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The Range @ TheGrint.com

GIR by Handicap – Golf Greens In Regulation Target

Have you ever wondered what your GIR% target should be? Is 30% good or bad? Well… it really depends. We can answer that question!

We looked at our database of millions of golf scores and calculated the average Greens In Regulation percentage for every Handicap level from 0 to 36.

Check the graph below. And compare it with your data in TheGrint. If your average is below the one for your Handicap then this is a Weakness. If it is above it is a Strength.

tour average gir

The key to improve your Handicap is to identify the areas that, if improved, would take you the next Handicap Level. TheGrint’s App Stats module helps you easily identify targets for all major stats, and therefore find your Strengths and Weaknesses.

Enjoy your golf!

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What’s the best way to enter scores under scenario where GIR is not possible for the hole (ie penalty off the tee)?

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It would be nice to correlate FIR with GIR and by handicap. Would show how much being in the fairway off the tee impacts your GIR.

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tour average gir

What Is GIR In Golf?

tour average gir

So, what is GIR in golf? GIR stands for “Greens in Regulation,” and it's a crucial stat that measures how often you hit the green within the expected number of strokes.

Basically, it's a big deal if you want to get better at golf. Keep reading for a deep dive into all things GIR, and how you can use it to up your game.

What Does GIR Stand For?

Hey there, golf enthusiast! Ever come across the term GIR and scratch your head wondering what on Earth it means?

No worries, you're not alone. So let's roll up our sleeves and dig into this nifty acronym that's super important in the world of golf.

Explanation of the Acronym: Greens in Regulation

First things first, GIR stands for “Greens in Regulation.” Sounds fancy, but what does it actually mean?

Imagine you're playing a hole, and you've got your eyes set on the putting green—that's the end game, right? Well, hitting that green in the “expected” number of strokes is what GIR is all about.

Specifically, a GIR is chalked up when you reach the putting surface in a number of strokes that equals the hole's par minus two.

So if you're tackling a par-4 hole, you'll score a GIR if you get to the green in two strokes or fewer.

Anything more, and, sorry, no GIR for you this time!

Why the minus two, you ask? The idea is that after reaching the green, you should ideally take two putts to sink the ball into the hole, hence the ‘par minus two' formula.

Why It's an Essential Term in Golf

Okay, so we know what GIR is, but why should we care? A ton of reasons, actually.

Your GIR stats can give you—and anyone else—insight into how well you're striking the ball.

You see, to hit the green in regulation, you've got to execute a solid approach shot.

If you're consistently reaching greens in the expected number of strokes, that's a good indicator that you're playing the ball effectively from a distance, which is a big deal.

Plus, GIR isn't just a pat on the back for good ball-striking; it also sets you up for potential birdies.

The more greens you hit in regulation, the more birdie putts you'll have.

And let's be real, who doesn't love a birdie chance?

And get this: the pros take GIR super seriously. On the PGA Tour, the average GIR percentage is around 65%. The best of the best?

They're hitting greens about 70% of the time. So, if you've got ambitions of improving your game, or even just impressing your golf buddies, keeping an eye on your GIR stats is definitely a good play.

The Math Behind GIR

So you've got the basics of GIR down, but you're probably wondering about the nitty-gritty details, right?

Well, sit tight, because we're diving into the math of it all. If you're like me and not a huge fan of math, don't worry.

This is the good kind, the kind that helps you crush it on the golf course.

Define What Constitutes a GIR

When it comes to determining a GIR—Greens in Regulation—it's all about a simple equation:

Number of strokes=Par of the hole−2Number of strokes=Par of the hole−2

To earn a GIR, you need to land on the putting green in the number of strokes dictated by this formula.

The ‘minus 2' part accounts for the two putts you should ideally need to complete the hole.

So in layman's terms, you've got to be on the green and ready to putt with two strokes still “in your pocket” for that particular hole's par.

Break It Down With Examples

Alright, let's put this equation to work with some real-world scenarios.

  • Par-3 Hole : With a par-3 hole, you've got just one stroke to hit the green and register a GIR because 3−2=13−2=1. If you hit the green with your very first stroke, give yourself a high-five—that's a GIR!
  • Par-4 Hole : In this case, you've got two strokes to make it onto the green. Why? Because 4−2=24−2=2. So whether you reach the green with a killer drive and a solid approach, or any other way that uses two strokes or fewer, you're in GIR territory.
  • Par-5 Hole : You get three strokes for a GIR here because 5−2=35−2=3. That gives you a bit more wiggle room. You could, for example, take two strokes to near the green and then pitch or chip it on for your third. Voila! You've just scored a GIR.

These are just a few examples, but you can use the same formula for any par hole you encounter.

A Teaser: Variations Based on Holes

Hey, before we wrap this up, just a heads-up that different holes throw different challenges your way.

We'll get into the nitty-gritty of how GIR might vary based on the design, conditions, and par of different holes later in this post.

Trust me, it's juicy stuff you won't want to miss.

Why Is GIR Important?

Now that we've untangled the math and mechanics behind GIR, you might be asking yourself, “Cool, but why should I care?”

Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into why GIR is a big-time game changer in golf, and why you absolutely should care.

Connection to Overall Ball-Striking Ability

Okay, so let's talk about ball-striking. In golf, being able to hit the ball well is pretty much the name of the game, right?

Well, GIR is one of the best indicators of just how well you're doing that.

It’s like your golfing GPA, but instead of telling you how well you’re doing in math or history, it tells you how skillfully you’re playing from the fairway to the green.

When you have a high GIR percentage, it generally means your approach shots are on point.

That's because landing on the green in the ‘regulated' number of strokes requires you to have good aim, distance control, and an understanding of how the ball will behave once it lands.

Basically, you've got to have your wits about you and your golf skills finely tuned.

You can't fudge your way to a good GIR stat; you earn it by being a consistent and accurate ball-striker.

If your GIR stats are up, that's a sign you're executing well on both your long and short game .

Impact on Birdie Putt Opportunities

Ah, birdies, the golden tickets of golf scores . Who doesn't get a thrill when you're setting yourself up for one?

Well, guess what? GIR plays a huge role in how many birdie opportunities you get.

When you're on the green and still have two strokes left for that hole's par, you're basically in the “birdie zone.

All you need to do is sink the next putt, and boom, you've got yourself a birdie.

More GIRs equals more birdie chances, plain and simple.

And it's not just about individual holes. Over the course of a round or a tournament, those birdie opportunities add up.

Consistently hitting greens in regulation can be the difference between an average round and one that has you doing a happy dance all the way to the 19th hole.

The pros get it. They know that GIR is a crucial metric for scoring opportunities, which is why you'll often hear them talk about it in interviews.

The average GIR percentage for pros is about 65%, and the top players are hovering around the 70% mark.

If they're paying that much attention to it, you know it's got to be important.

How to Calculate Your GIR Percentage

You're in deep now, aren't you? Hooked on this whole GIR concept and ready to start measuring your own stats. Awesome!

Let's break down how to calculate your GIR percentage, and don't sweat it—this math is even easier than calculating GIR itself.

Formula to Calculate GIR Percentage

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Calculating your GIR percentage is a straightforward process. Here's the formula for you:

GIR Percentage = (Number of GIRs / Total Holes Played) × 100

So say you play a full 18-hole round. You manage to hit the green in regulation on 12 of those holes.

Your GIR percentage would be (1218)×100=66.67(1812​)×100=66.67.

Here's how to keep track during your game:

  • Grab a Scorecard : Before you start your round, get your hands on a scorecard. These usually have extra columns where you can jot down stats like GIR.
  • Mark Your GIRs : Every time you hit a green in regulation, make a little tick or note in that extra column.
  • Count ‘Em Up : At the end of your round, count the total number of ticks. That's your number of GIRs for the round.
  • Do the Math : Finally, use the formula to find out your GIR percentage. Whip out that phone calculator if you need to!

What the Numbers Say About Your Gameplay

So now you've got this percentage. Cool. But what does it actually mean? Let's interpret it:

  • Below 50% : If you're hitting less than half the greens in regulation, there's room for improvement. You'll likely want to focus on your approach shots and perhaps reconsider your club selection.
  • 50-60% : You're getting there! This is a decent range for casual golfers. Still, think about which holes are giving you the most trouble and strategize accordingly.
  • 60-70% : You're doing great, honestly. This is where a lot of club champions and even some pros hang out. It suggests your ball-striking is solid and your game is well-rounded.
  • Above 70% : If you're here, wow, hats off to you. You're in elite territory, and your game is dialed in. Keep doing what you're doing!

The PGA Tour and GIR

You might be wondering, “Okay, I get GIR is crucial for my game, but what about the pros? How do they stack up?” Good question!

Let's pull back the curtain and look at how GIR plays out in the big leagues—specifically, the PGA Tour.

Average GIR Percentage on the PGA Tour: 65%

If you're a golf fan, you've probably caught a few PGA Tour events on TV or maybe even in person.

These are the best of the best, folks. But even among this elite group, the average GIR percentage is about 65%.

Now, you might think that's a bit low for the crème de la crème of golf. Why isn't it higher?

Here's the deal: the courses these guys play on are often brutally tough.

We're talking fast greens, tight pin placements, and hazards that could make a grown man cry.

So hitting 65% of greens in regulation is actually pretty darn impressive in this context.

It shows a high level of skill and consistency, even when faced with some seriously challenging conditions.

Also, this 65% is an average across all events and players. Some tournaments may have lower averages due to their notorious difficulty (ever hear of the U.S. Open?), while others might offer more forgiving conditions that result in higher GIR percentages.

The Best Players and Their GIR Stats: Around 70%

Now, let's talk about the top-tier players. The superstars. The ones whose swings make you go, “How do they do that?”

Believe it or not, these phenomenal athletes hover around a GIR percentage of 70%. Yeah, they're almost like golfing robots, but with a lot more flair.

Reaching a GIR percentage of 70% and maintaining it is no small feat.

It means that these players are not just excellent ball-strikers but also masters of course management.

They know when to take risks and when to play it safe, all while managing to hit the green with astounding regularity.

To give you some perspective, let's name drop a few legends known for their incredible GIR stats:

  • Tiger Woods : During his peak years, Tiger had some of the best GIR stats ever seen. His incredible ability to hit the green has been one of the secrets to his success.
  • Dustin Johnson : Known for his power and precision, DJ is another player who consistently ranks high in GIR percentages. He combines a powerful drive with accurate approach shots to set himself up for birdie opportunities.
  • Jordan Spieth : Though more known for his putting, Spieth's GIR numbers are nothing to sneeze at. His cerebral approach to the game allows him to navigate courses in a way that maximizes his chances of hitting greens in regulation.

What Affects Your GIR?

tour average gir

By now, you're probably all-in on this GIR thing. You understand its importance, you know how to calculate it, and you're aware of how the pros use it.

But wait a sec—what's actually affecting your GIR stats? Turns out, it's not just about swinging your club and hoping for the best.

A bunch of variables come into play here, so let's break 'em down.

The Role of Your Approach Shots

Your approach shots are like the opening act for the main event, which in this case is putting.

Screw up the opening, and the main act might not go so well. It's these shots that often make or break your GIR.

  • Club Selection : Picking the right club for your approach shot is crucial. A long iron or a hybrid might be better for longer distances, whereas a wedge would be more appropriate for shorter, more precise shots.
  • Distance Control : This is about knowing how far you can hit each club and picking the right one for the distance you are from the hole. Dial this in, and you'll see your GIR numbers start to climb.
  • Direction and Aim : Seems obvious, right? You want to aim for the green. But consider the pin placement and any slopes or hazards. Sometimes it's smarter to aim for the center of the green rather than gunning straight for the flag.

Weather Conditions

Ah, the great outdoors—beautiful but oh so unpredictable.

Weather plays a more significant role in your GIR than you might think.

  • Wind : It can push your ball off course or change its trajectory. Always check the wind direction before taking your approach shot.
  • Rain : Wet conditions can affect how far the ball rolls once it hits the green, and it can also impact your grip and swing.
  • Temperature : Believe it or not, the ball doesn't travel as far in colder conditions. If you're playing in the chill, take that into account when selecting your club.

Course Design

The course itself is like another player in the game, offering its own set of challenges that affect your GIR.

  • Green Size and Shape : Some greens are large and inviting; others are small and guarded by hazards. Knowing the layout helps you strategize your approach.
  • Fairway Conditions : Is it narrow or wide? Are there a lot of hazards? Your ability to hit the green in regulation often starts with a good lie in the fairway.
  • Pin Placement : Sometimes the hole is located in a tricky spot, like right next to a bunker. Factor this in when planning your approach.

Mental Game

Don't underestimate the noggin's role in this. Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.

  • Focus : Losing focus for even a second can result in a missed-hit that costs you a GIR. Keep your mind sharp and on the task at hand.
  • Confidence : Ever notice how you play better when you're feeling good about your game? Confidence can significantly impact your approach shots and, by extension, your GIR.
  • Decision Making : Sometimes you have to choose between a risky shot that could result in a birdie or a safer play that ensures a GIR. Good decision-making is often the difference between hitting the green and ending up in the bunker.

How to Improve Your GIR

Okay, you're pumped about GIR, you get why it's essential, and you're hip to all the factors that can affect it. But now comes the million-dollar question: “How do I get better at it?”

Well, my friend, you're in luck. We're diving deep into the nitty-gritty, actionable stuff that'll help you crank up those GIR numbers. Let's get to it!

Tips and Techniques

First off, some quick but vital tips that'll go a long way:

  • Consistent Pre-shot Routine : Develop a routine before each approach shot. It could be as simple as taking a deep breath, aligning your feet, or visualizing the shot. This helps with focus and consistency.
  • Target Focus : Instead of just aiming for the green, pick a specific target like a tree, bunker, or slope to help guide your shot.
  • Follow Through : A full and balanced follow-through ensures that you've put enough energy into the shot and kept your swing plane stable.

Club Selection

Your choice of club can make or break your GIR, as we discussed. Here's how to make it more of a science than a guessing game:

  • Know Your Distances : Use a rangefinder or GPS watch to know exactly how far you are from the green. Then choose a club that you're comfortable can cover that distance.
  • Factor in Conditions : If it’s windy or the ground is wet, you might need to adjust your club selection accordingly.
  • Comfort Level : Don’t just go by the book. If you're better with a 7-iron than a 6-iron for a certain distance, go with what you’re comfortable with.

Understanding the Green Layout

Knowing the green's layout can be as crucial as the approach shot itself. Here's why:

  • Reading Greens : Understand the slopes, speeds, and breaks of a green before hitting your approach shot.
  • Pin Placement : Always consider where the hole is. If it’s tucked behind a bunker, you might want to aim for the center of the green and rely on your putting.
  • Safety First : Sometimes, the smart play is aiming for the fat part of the green rather than the pin, especially if the area around the hole is risky.

Training Drills to Practice

Lastly, there's no substitute for practice. Here are some drills to get you in tip-top GIR shape:

  • 100-Yard Drill : Practice hitting 10 balls from 100 yards to a specific target on the green. Score yourself based on how many land safely.
  • Pressure Cooker : Place five balls around the fairway at varying distances. Try to hit the green with each one, simulating the pressure you might feel in a real game.
  • Up and Down : For improving your short game around the green, place the ball in different challenging spots (sand, rough, etc.) and try to get it on the green in one shot.

Alright, you've made it to the end, and now you're basically a GIR guru.

We've covered everything from what GIR is and why it matters, to the factors that influence it, and even how to get those numbers up.

It's all in your hands now. Take these insights, hit the course, and start watching your GIR—and your overall game—reach new heights.

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Wwe superstar becky lynch documents her rise from “average” to a-list in new autobiography.

'Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl' is available for purchase.

By Armon Sadler

Armon Sadler

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Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania XL Kickoff Event, wearing a Black crop top vest, Black crop top, and Black leather pants.

Everybody wants to be something in life, and it takes time to recognize exactly what that is; sometimes it ends up bigger than they could ever imagine, or exactly what they set out to become. WWE superstar Becky Lynch , real name Rebecca Quin, described her younger self as “absurdly average,” but her late father Ken urged her to write a book when she was just five years old and life was nothing more than “eating sweets and playing with Polly Pockets.” Fast forward to today; she is now one of the top superstars in the WWE and has officially released her debut novel , Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl . 

The autobiography covers her early years, discovering when she fell in love with wrestling, her time in the developmental brand NXT , behind-the-scenes stories of interactions with her peers, meeting her husband, WWE superstar Seth Rollins , becoming a mother to their beautiful daughter, Roux, and so much more. This book has been years in the making, both literally and figuratively. The idea became a reality after she made history as the first woman to main event a Wrestlemania, winning both the Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championships at Wrestlemania 35 in 2019. 

Muhammad Ali Set To Join 'WWE 2K24' As Special Guest Character

“After WrestleMania 35, I got offered a book deal,” she exclusively told VIBE . “And so then it was like, ‘All right, well, here we go. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. Now it’s in my lap.’ And then it took a long time before I even got around to sitting down and writing because we were so busy at the time. Of course, this was before I had a child, so I didn’t realize that I actually wasn’t that busy. Now I know what ‘busyness’ is about. And so it’s been a process.”

Becky Lynch enrolled in a yearlong book writing course and consulted the help of her childhood hero, WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley. She learned the proper ways to tell her story and handled it similarly to how she approaches being a WWE superstar: wanting to be the absolute best. 

“I almost rewrote the entire book in about five weeks while I was also on multiple shows,” the 37-year-old wrestler admitted. “I was the NXT Women’s Champion at that time and so a lot of this book got written on airplanes and in hotel rooms.” Lynch admitted that it wasn’t an easy process, especially whenever she had to cover topics involving her late father who died in 2021.

“Anytime I talk about my dad or think about my dad or read that section or write that section, I just become a blubbering mess,” she said. “It’s still very, very raw and hard to talk about, hard to write about, hard to read about, and especially because I have a lot of guilt and a lot of remorse over just not even being there for when my dad passed away, but feeling like I wish I’d gotten to talk to him more.”

Many WWE superstars have been open about things they have had to sacrifice and how difficult they are to cope with, but they have paid off for Becky Lynch. She is a seven-time Women’s Champion, one-time Women’s Tag Team Champion , Royal Rumble winner, two-time Female Superstar Of The Year, and gearing up to challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlemania XL .

While she has had title matches at Wrestlemania before, she described the alignment with her book and her current perception within the WWE as “poetic.” Even with all that she has contributed to the industry, people still try to sleep on her.

“Somehow in all of this, despite what I have done in the industry, despite being the backbone of the women’s division for the last year, being a catalyst for change, somehow I am still overlooked and looked at as the underdog,” she asserted.

“And this is where I thrive, is [when] people doubt me, [when] people don’t think I can do it,” she continued. “And it’s proving people wrong. I said it in the promo the other day: I’m good when people believe in me, but when people doubt me, I’m great.”

Rhea Ripley has dominated the women’s division for a year and believes that Becky knows she can’t keep up with her in the ring deep down. Despite their tense feud, Lynch still had some nice things to say about her. “She’s got a natural presence about her,” she said of her Wrestlemania opponent. “She has a natural ability in the ring and she’s jacked out of her mind.”

However, she also had smoke for the Women’s World Champion who has often acted like she is above the women’s division. “At the end of the day, she spends more time posting on Instagram and hovering around the lads in the Judgment Day than she spends fighting in the ring,” she said. “And well, I’m just the opposite of that. I am about the work and I get the work done, and I’ve changed the game time and time again, so she can be this natural superstar that’s pushed to the moon and I can be the one that’s always on the back burner. But we’ve seen how that’s worked out in the past.” Spicy.

Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl is available to purchase now . Check out Becky Lynch’s upcoming Women’s World Championship match against Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania XL on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 live on Peacock . 

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tour average gir

Becky Lynch Shares Update on Her First Book Tour

B ecky Lynch, the WWE RAW Superstar, recently took to her social media platform to provide an update on her book tour following the launch of her latest publication, “Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl,” hitting the shelves on March 26.

Going into her journey from a young girl in Ireland to a globally acclaimed wrestler, Lynch’s book also delves into her experiences as a mother.

She excitedly announced plans to visit bookstores in cities such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia to engage in promotional events and connect with fans.

Updating her followers on Instagram, Lynch expressed her gratitude for the ongoing book tour, describing it as an incredible experience thus far. She eagerly anticipates meeting even more fans as the tour progresses, underscoring her appreciation for their support.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Becky Lynch didn’t hold back when discussing Ronda Rousey’s tenure in the WWE and the company’s handling of her. Lynch emphasized that Rousey, dubbed “The Baddest Woman on the Planet,” wasn’t utilized to her full potential.

Reflecting on Rousey’s transition from UFC to WWE in 2017, Lynch lamented the lack of acknowledgment for Rousey’s talents in her second stint with the company. Despite Rousey’s initial success in the ring, Lynch suggested that she wasn’t given the proper guidance, given her background in MMA.

Expressing respect for Rousey’s accomplishments, Lynch highlighted the mishandling of her WWE career, citing a presumption that Rousey was already adept at wrestling due to her early success. Lynch emphasized the need for a more strategic approach, recognizing Rousey’s star power and contributions to MMA.

As fans await WWE’s future plans for Becky Lynch, her candid remarks offer insight into the complexities of steering the world of professional wrestling and the importance of effective management for every superstar’s success.

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Becky Lynch (Credits: WWE)

Becky Lynch stops by: WWE star talks creative changes, revelations, contract, new book Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast

Becky Lynch, WWE superstar and author of "Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average, Average Girl," joins host Adam Silverstein ahead of WWE WrestleMania 40 for an in-depth interview discussing her new memoir, challenges presented by WWE creative, revelations about her relationships with Finn Balor and Charlotte Flair, her WWE status amid a soon-to-be expiring contract, making the most of her NXT championship run, plus much more.

  • More Episodes
  • 2023 Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast

Becky Lynch talks life in a WWE family, why 'it's more fun to be the bad guy'

tour average gir

Colleen Hoover and Stephen King have sold millions of books, but neither has ever used one of their tomes as a weapon in a pro wrestling match. In that regard, Becky Lynch is already breaking new ground in book publicity.

“I was like, 'Let me just sneak one under the ring for safekeeping and also maybe I could use it for things like paper cuts but also just standard bashing,'” says the WWE star born Rebecca Quin about busting out a copy of her new memoir “Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl” (in stores now) last week during a “last woman standing” match on “ Monday Night Raw .” (For the record, she walloped opponent Nia Jax with her book – the hardcover edition, natch – as well as a kendo stick and a fire extinguisher.)

The biography chronicles her journey from growing up in Dublin, Ireland, a wrestling-loving dreamer to signing up with WWE in 2013 to ultimately main-eventing WrestleMania . She also offers a no-holds-barred introduction to the business for new fans, with tales of in-ring friends and foes as well as her big loves – these days, that’s husband/co-worker Colby Lopez (aka WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins ) and their 3-year-old daughter, Roux.

“I just tried to be honest with myself,” Quin says, adding author to her resume alongside wrestler, actor and former flight attendant. “You have to really reflect and go, ‘When were you lying to yourself?’ Because there's lots of times in life that we lie to ourselves but we don't realize until afterward."

Quin begins a book tour this week, recently hung out with President Joe Biden and soon wrestles Rhea Ripley for the women’s world championship at WrestleMania XL (April 6-7). She talks with USA TODAY a couple of days after her "Raw" appearance about the new memoir and her wrestling life. 

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

Question: What was the writing process like for “The Man”? 

Rebecca Quin: I really just stole time from things. Like if my daughter wanted to watch “Toy Story,” I would be sitting there writing. I didn't have any process where it was like, “Let me get up at 9 a.m. and seal myself off.” It was like, where can I write? And it didn't matter what kind of distractions were going on. I would be backstage at live events, just writing. Oftentimes I kind of liked that a little bit more. It was the white noise of everything and maybe I'd hear something that would spark some inspiration.

Congratulations are in order since you officially became an American citizen last week. You write about first visiting here as a kid with your mom, but has that been something you’ve wanted for a while?

Yeah, absolutely. I've always looked at America as, it's such a cliche but, look, the land of opportunity, and it's gifted me that. And more than anything, it's given me my family: I have an American daughter and I have an American husband. So I wanted to be part of that immediate American family and then the communal American family.

You’re 48 hours removed from your book-bashing brawl, where you won after jumping off a ladder and leg-dropping a woman through a table. Are you still sore at this point or have the butt callouses built up really nice over the years?

You definitely become calloused as a wrestler. After having my daughter and coming back, I remember hitting the ropes for the first time in a year or whatever it was, and my body just felt like it was going to crumple into dust, which thankfully it did not. But after having that match, oh yeah, I'm sore. My daughter wants to play and she has all these games. She loves to play Scar and Mufasa. I brought her to Broadway to see “The Lion King” on stage and she constantly wants to reenact when Scar goes, “Long live the king” and throws him off. I'm Mufasa and I have to fall off the bed, and I'm just like, “Oh, my neck, my back.” It hurts but you just get on with it.

What does Roux think of what her mom and dad do for a living?

She's confused by it. Her dad had a boo-boo, and she's like, “Where'd you get that boo-boo?” And he's like, “I got it working. He pushed me and I fell over.” And she was like, “Does everybody get boo-boos working?” And it's like, “No, see, some people work in an office, some people work on a computer,” so she doesn't understand that all working isn't fighting. I think she's getting worried. He brought her on TV for an entrance shot, and she was like, “Are people going to hurt me?” “No, no, no, baby, no!” Trying to get her to understand that is difficult at 3.

Your character’s currently a heroic babyface but you’ve worked before as a villainous heel, and even been a heel who, thanks to fans, becomes a mega-babyface. What’s your favorite to do?

It's more fun to be the bad guy. You can do no wrong. If people hate you, good, that's your job. If people love you, well, I'm just so good at my job that they love me. (Laughs) It's a lot easier. I remember seeing this meme back in like 2017, the 10 hardest jobs in the world in no particular order. It was a deep sea fisherman and all these just chaotic jobs, and then it was like a WWE babyface . It is quite difficult especially when you go from underdog to being top dog, because people resonate with the journey and the scrappiness.

You write in the book about the backstage meta idiosyncrasies of pro wrestling, including avoiding story lines with Colby. So you’re likely to not get involved now when he and Dwayne Johnson are having a war of words ?

No, probably not. And what's a tricky part is me and the Rock are friends. Whenever (Lopez) has feuds, for the most part to add to them, I will often echo his sentiment. In a marriage, obviously you’ve got to be a team. You’ve got to be on the same side of things. And I always am, he's always No. 1 to me. Then it becomes complicated when it's against people that you have your own friendships and bonds with. But in terms of just our characters, I think our heel characters probably would've meshed a bit better than necessarily the babyface ones.

DFS Preview: Wyndham Clark hoping to overcome Scheffler-sized obstacle at Texas Children's

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Wyndham Clark is looking for his second win on the season. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR)

Wyndham Clark is looking for his second win on the season. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR)

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The first full week of spring finds the PGA TOUR in the Lone Star State for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Returning to the schedule for the first time since 2022, Memorial Park Golf Course, located just eight miles from downtown, will host defending champion Tony Finau and a field of 144. The municipal track, originally opened in the mid-1930s, was redesigned by Tom Doak for the 2020 edition, stretches 7,345 yards, and plays to a par of 70.

The 36-hole cut reduces the field to the top 65 and ties before the final two rounds. One of two final chances to qualify for the Masters, the winner also receives $1.638 million from the $9.1 million purse and 500 FedExCup points.

Here’s a look at the players I’m eyeing from a DFS perspective, starting with the guy looking to win for the third straight start:

DraftKings – Top of the Board

Scottie Scheffler ($13,000): The brightest start on the PGA TOUR has won $8.5 million in his last two starts. Following his Signature Event victory at Bay Hill, the Dallas resident successfully defended his title at THE PLAYERS Championship the following week. Leading the TOUR in four of the six major Strokes-Gained categories, he also is the best in Scoring Average (adjusted and actual), GIR, Birdie Average, Par Breakers and Bogey Avoidance, among others. Plenty of others. Co-owning the course record of 62 in 2021, he has cashed in the top 10 in his last two visits (T9-T2). Looking to win for the first time in Houston, no player has won three consecutive events entered on TOUR since 2017. No player ever defended at THE PLAYERS Championship, either.

Wyndham Clark ($10,900): Finishing second to Scheffler at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass, the reigning U.S. Open champion is looking for his second win of the season. The AT&T winner has produced three podium paydays in his last three starts and isn’t lacking in form. Clark ranks in the top 22 in five of the six Strokes-Gained categories and has won three events in the last 11 months. If chasing more history with the Texan above isn’t for you, I’d build from here.

Overvalued or Undervalued

Keith Mitchell ($9,200): Playing from the final group last week at Valspar, the former Georgia man posted 77 to cash T17. The week before at THE PLAYERS Championship, he played the weekend 76-76 to drift to 73rd. Trend or not a trend?

Beau Hossler ($8,700): Missing the cut in the last two tournaments on the Florida Swing, the former Texas Longhorn has missed the cut in two visits to Memorial Park.

Patrick Rodgers ($8,500): After MC the last two weeks in Florida, I’m leaning on the big track with minimal hazards to get him back in the swing of things. The Farmers Insurance Open and Mexico Open at Vidanta provided wide-open spaces to give it a knock, and he produced a top-10 payday at each stop.

Jake Knapp ($8,000): The last time the TOUR visited a big track with minimal rough off the fairways, the rookie won at Vidanta Vallarta. Taking last week off, he should be ready to roll in Houston.

Mackenzie Hughes ($7,800): Holding the lead at the turn on Sunday at Valspar, the Canadian finished T3. Returning to Memorial Park, where he has posted T29 or better from three starts, he hopes his hot putter (2nd SG: Putting, Valspar) will enjoy another week on Poa trivialis greens.

Andrew Novak ($6,900): Missing the cut on debut at THE PLAYERS Championship did not carry over to Palm Harbor last week. After three straight top-10 paydays, he added T17 last week as his hot iron play continued (9th SG: Approach).

Alex Smalley ($6,800): The course history (T4 and T15) will butt heads with the streak of five consecutive missed cuts and seven weekends off from nine starts in 2024.

Makers or Breakers

Will Zalatoris ($10,100): The Dallas man should hop back on his horse this week. The big, ball-striking challenge is where he makes his money.

Tony Finau ($9,900): There’s only one player who reached 19-under at Memorial Park, and it's the defending champion as well. The three par 5s on the par 70 give an extra chance for a par breaker. Careful, these holes ranked 10th, 2nd and T1 in most difficult on TOUR. Looking for his second top 10 of 2024 and first since Torrey Pines, he owns the tournament scoring record (-16) and a piece of the course record (62).

Tom Hoge ($9,000): A perfect 9-from-9 start to 2024 includes top-10 paydays at Pebble Beach and Riviera. Playing every weekend he’s entered since missing the cut in Las Vegas, the TCU alum should be comfortable in the breezes.

Alex Noren ($9,400): The Swede has not missed the cut in 11 straight on TOUR, and that’s valuable any week. Posting 65-66 to open last year, he was four back of Finau heading into the weekend before cashing T4.

Taylor Moore ($7,600): Defending for the first time last week, he signed for a commendable T12. Keeping his cuts-made streak alive at 13, I’ll happily jump on this wide-open layout.

Here’s a look at how I would style a six-player roster for this week’s tournament while staying under the $50,000 salary cap:

  • Wyndham Clark ($10,900)
  • Patrick Rodgers ($8,500)
  • Jake Knapp ($8,000)
  • Mackenzie Hughes ($7,800)
  • Taylor Moore ($7,600)
  • Andrew Novak ($6,900)

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COMMENTS

  1. Approach the Green

    Top 10 Finished | Scoring Average | Greens Percentage | Scrambling ... GIR Percentage - 175-200 yards. 1 st ... PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered ...

  2. The Truth about Greens in Regulation

    0-2 handicap: 11.8 greens. +3 to +1 handicap: 12.6 greens. Tour average: 11.7 greens. Essentially, if you shoot over a 100, you will only hit a few greens. If you shoot in the 90s, you will average less than five greens. If you shoot it in the 80s, you will average about seven greens.

  3. 2024 PGA Tour

    Greens In Regulation. B. An. Wondering who leads the PGA Tour in drive distance, consecutive cuts, scoring average, or putts per hole? CBS Sports has all of those statistics and more for the PGA Tour.

  4. Greens in Regulations (GIR): What Is It & How To Improve

    Below are the leaders and average GIR PGA Tour in the past 3 PGA tour seasons. Note: This data has been obtained from the greens in regulation PGA Tour website. 2019-2020. Tour Average: 66.30% (approx. 12 out of 18 greens per round) Leader: Jim Furyk (74.22%) 2020-2021. Tour Average: 65.14% (approx. 12 out of 18 greens per round)

  5. What is GIR in Golf? Green in Regulation Explained

    The average GIR percentage on the PGA Tour is 65% according to the PGA Tour Stats section. In 2021, Cameron Percy was the best and he hit 72% of greens while Martin Trainer hit only 55% at the bottom of the rankings. PGA Tour Approach Shot Statistics (GIR Percentage) by distance of approach.

  6. How many Greens in Regulation should you be hitting based on ...

    In other words, if you strive to get to Scratch (0 handicap), your best rounds should average about 12 GIR's. Finally, you might ask how could the 0-2 handicap group hit virtually the same Number of GIR's as the PGA Tour average? Here are a few reasons: The dramatic difference in the length of the courses played by the pros vs. amateurs.

  7. Understanding Greens In Regulation: Importance, Calculation, And

    The top players consistently achieve high GIR percentages, showcasing their ability to consistently hit accurate approach shots. On the PGA Tour, the average GIR percentage for the top-ranked players is typically around 70% or higher. This means that these players are hitting the green in regulation on 70% or more of their approach shots.

  8. The truth behind greens in regulation and scoring

    My average GIR has gone from 5.2 to 6.7 in one season, and my average score has gone from 86 to 82. Now I just need to make more putts! Average 32.4 right now. ... Tour average G.I.R. is around 66% or 12 g.i.r.s per round. Once you get to the point where you can hit around 10 greens a round you've probably developed a pretty ok short game as ...

  9. PGA Tour Stats: Could the top-5 leaders in greens in regulation be a

    The 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.

  10. What Is GIR in Golf (How To Improve GIR Stat)

    What is the LPGA Tour Average GIR? LPGA Tour players are known for their accuracy and consistency. The GIR winners on the LPGA Tour have all been over 76% in the last five years. Considerably higher than the PGA Tour. LPGA players may not hit longer drives than male professionals, but they are still able to hit greens at a higher rate.

  11. Here's how many greens in regulation you should hit per round

    Five handicaps average eight greens in regulation per round, while 10 handicaps average six GIR per round and 15 handicaps average four or five a round. And, in case you were wondering, Cameron ...

  12. Golf Stat and Records

    Scoring Average. Scottie Scheffler. 69.286. Avg. 1. Xander Schauffele. 69.924. Avg. 2. Doug Ghim. 70.215. Avg. 3. ... PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered ...

  13. Confidence And Greens In Regulation

    THE PGA TOUR AVERAGE GIR IS 68.2% WHICH WORKS OUT TO BE ABOUT 12.5 GREENS IN REGULATION PER ROUND. ... To cut five strokes off of your average score, a good guide is to average two more GIR per round. If you currently hit 4 greens in regulation and we increase that amount to 6 or 7, you will drop 5-6 shots per round. ...

  14. What Is GIR In Golf? [Explained]

    So here we decided to break the PGA Tour GIR average percentage down with the various distances to the green, to see how well you compare. (Based on the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season) GIR Percentage 200+ yards - Tour average: 43.92%. GIR Percentage 175 - 200 yards - Tour average: 54.67%.

  15. PGA tour

    The professional golf players with the highest greens in regulation (GIR) percentage on the PGA tour in the 2022 season was the American golfer, Scottie Schleffler, who had a GIR of 73.83 percent ...

  16. The differences between a 5 and 13 handicap? This data tells us

    The PGA Tour average scrambling percentage for all shots around the green is about 58.5%. So GIR is even king on the PGA Tour, where GIR average is around 13 per round (on harder courses), or ...

  17. A closer look at some of the stat leaders for 2022-23 PGA Tour season

    The PGA Tour average for driving distance is 299.9. There were 92 golfers who averaged more than 300 yards per drive. Source: pgatour.com. ... Scheffler led the Tour in GIR at 74.47 percent after hitting 1,126 greens out of 1,512 holes played. Nos. 2 through 5 on this list: Kevin Yu (72.96), Doug Ghim (70.56), Jon Rahm (70.48) and Collin ...

  18. Average GIR by Golf Handicap

    Have you ever wondered what your GIR% target should be? Is 30% good or bad? Well… it really depends. We can answer that question! We looked at our database of millions of golf scores and calculated the average Greens In Regulation percentage for every Handicap level from 0 to 36. Check the graph below. And compare it with your data in TheGrint.

  19. 2024 PGA TOUR Scoring average per round Rankings

    The complete 2024 PGA TOUR Scoring average per round rankings on ESPN. The full list of all PGA players ranked based on Scoring average per round.

  20. What Is GIR In Golf?

    Let's pull back the curtain and look at how GIR plays out in the big leagues—specifically, the PGA Tour. Average GIR Percentage on the PGA Tour: 65%. If you're a golf fan, you've probably caught a few PGA Tour events on TV or maybe even in person. These are the best of the best, folks. But even among this elite group, the average GIR ...

  21. 2024 PGA TOUR Complete Player Rankings

    PGA TOUR Player Stats 2024 2024 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 hidden No Data Available

  22. Not Your Average Average Girl: Stories From Becky Lynch's Book

    Becky Lynch's eagerly anticipated autobiography delivers the goods, providing a deeper look into the life of one of WWE's biggest stars!

  23. 'Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl'- Becky ...

    WWE RAW Superstar Becky Lynch recently took to social media to share an update about her new book. Lynch shared the exciting news on her social media about her new book called 'Becky Lynch: The ...

  24. WWE Superstar Becky Lynch's Debut Novel Is Out Now

    WWE superstar Becky Lynch, real name Rebecca Quin, described her younger self as "absurdly average," but her late father Ken urged her to write a book when she was just five years old and life ...

  25. Becky Lynch Shares Update on Her First Book Tour

    Becky Lynch, the WWE RAW Superstar, recently took to her social media platform to provide an update on her book tour following the launch of her latest publication, "Becky Lynch: The Man: Not ...

  26. ‎Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast: Becky Lynch stops by: WWE star talks

    Becky Lynch, WWE superstar and author of "Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average, Average Girl," joins host Adam Silverstein ahead of WWE WrestleMania 40 for an in-depth interview discussing her new memoir, challenges presented by WWE creative, revelations about her relationships with Finn Balor and Charlotte Flair, her WWE status amid a soon-to-be expiring contract, making the most of her NXT ...

  27. Becky Lynch book: WWE family life, the thrill of being 'the bad guy'

    Quin begins a book tour this week, recently hung out with President Joe Biden and soon wrestles Rhea Ripley for the women's world championship at WrestleMania XL (April 6-7). She talks with USA ...

  28. DFS Preview: Wyndham Clark hoping to overcome Scheffler-sized obstacle

    Leading the TOUR in four of the six major Strokes-Gained categories, he also is the best in Scoring Average (adjusted and actual), GIR, Birdie Average, Par Breakers and Bogey Avoidance, among ...