Greens in Regulation (How to Quickly Lower Your Handicap)


If you are a golfer, you are always chasing birdies.

Regardless of your handicap or skill level, we all know that birdies are the way to lower scores.

But how do we get more birdies?

greens in regulation

We can do this by raising our greens in regulation (GIR) per round.

In this article, we’ll provide context on why a green in regulation is so crucial to your day on the links and how you can increase your number whether you play among the high handicappers or with friendly recreational players.

What is meant by greens in regulation?


A green in regulation, also known as GIR for short, is when you hit the green with your approach shot two strokes under par, giving you a chance at birdie.

On a par 4, a PGA Tour golfer that hits the fairway with their tee shot and then hits the green with their following swing registers a green in regulation on their scorecard.

GIR stats are essential for golfers who are looking to lower their handicap and boost their enjoyment of their own game.

What does it mean to hit a green in regulation?


For amateur golfers, hitting a green in regulation is always the goal for each hole. Essentially, hitting a green in regulation means you have reached the putting surface two shots under par.

For example, to post a GIR on a par 3 means you’ve reached the green in one shot. For a par 4, you have landed on the putting surface in two shots.

And finally, for a par 5, you have reached the promised land in only three strokes to give yourself a chance for birdie.

On the PGA Tour, GIR is a very important stat.

The best players in the world will post high GIR data stats, so amateurs can follow suit by trying to reach more greens in regulation on the golf course to put them on track for better scores.

What is a good number of greens in regulation?


High Handicap Golfers

High handicappers typically hit about four greens in regulation per round with an average putt distance of over 35 feet.

To jump to the mid-handicap range, not only do they need to hit more greens, but they also need shorter putts to help convert more pars.

The goal is always to land the ball on the green and to follow with no more than two putts.

Mid Handicap Golfers

A middle-of-the-road golfer hits around seven greens in regulation per 18 holes, with an average birdie distance of 29 feet.

With a focus on hitting the ball closer to the pin with their iron play could help these golfers make that final jump to the rarefied air of single-digit handicappers.

By improving their GIR stat slightly, they put themselves in a much better position to hole out in fewer strokes.

Low Handicap Golfers

Single-digit handicappers routinely hit ten greens in regulation for each trip around the golf course.

Their average distance on the putting surface to convert a birdie is around 26 feet, roughly 10 feet shorter than their higher handicap counterparts.

While their game is refined, getting the ball closer to the pin on their entry shots remains the most important area for improvement.

How to figure out greens in regulation?


Par 3

If you hit the green with your first shot, you have recorded a green in regulation. On par 3s, your tee shots here are the most important swing on the hole.

Missing greens, especially on shorter holes, is never ideal, but with par 3s, you typically see bunkers and water more prevalently, so hitting the green is crucial to posting a good score.

Par 4

On a par 4, you must reach the green in two strokes. Unlike a par 3, you are faced with a tee shot that must stay out of trouble and, ideally, reach the fairway safely on the course.

While you can certainly register a GIR from the rough, your chances are much slimmer than from the short grass.

Par 5

On a par 5, your playing method can vary to record a green in regulation. Most importantly, you want to strike the golf ball with length to set up your second shot.

Since you are typically playing a wood or hybrid from this distance, hitting greens with this swing isn’t as important as what you do with the third shot.

Golfers can make a mistake by laying up out of fear of rough, sand, or water, but the good miss just shy of the green can help easily record a GIR for your scorecard and set you up to finish the hole in fewer strokes.

How can I hit more greens in regulation?


Locate a Target Area

One of the biggest mistakes players make when trying to hit more greens in regulation is having no strategy when playing a hole. They simply swing and hope the ball lands safely.

Starting with a plan at the tee box increases your chances of putting for birdie and recording a GIR.

Make Good Mistakes

Whether you are on the PGA Tour or have a high handicap golf game, you can play the game smarter to increase your chances of carding more greens in regulation.

Most players make one of the biggest mistakes by not working on their iron play from inside 150 yards.

If you can accurately hit each club in that short iron trio (7-,8-, and 9-iron), then you can raise your GIR average with good misses that still land on the green.

Hit One More GIR Per Round to Improve

Before you start your round, you should aim to card one more green in regulation than your average.

Small, incremental improvements in how you putt, your course management, and how you strike the golf ball can make huge differences when posting lower scores.

Remember, how many greens you hit directly correlates to your final scores, so by improving your GIR rate, you provide the best chance of lowering your handicap.