How to calculate greens in regulation

Of the many stats that can help golfers track and improve their performance, one of the most revealing is greens in regulation. 

Greens in regulation is a measure all golfers should understand and use to improve their game, especially their approach to the putting green. To help you understand more, in this blog, we explain what greens in regulation in golf is. We’ll look at how to calculate greens in regulation, why it’s an important measure to use, and what you can do to hit more on the course.

What does greens in regulation mean?

So, what is greens in regulation? Also called green in regulation, or often just abbreviated to GIR, it’s a golfing statistic based on how many strokes you take to reach the putting green of a hole based on its par.

Put simply: A green in regulation is when you land your ball on the putting green in two strokes less than the par for that hole.

To count as a green in regulation, your ball must be on the green with:

• 1 stroke for a par 3 hole
• 2 strokes for a par 4 hole
• 3 strokes for a par 5 hole

By hitting a green in regulation, you give yourself a good chance at a birdie, or at least an easy two-putt for par. Greens in regulation is all about giving yourself a chance to complete the hole on par or better, by reaching the green early enough.

Why is greens in regulation important?

Greens in regulation is one of the best indicators of your overall performance, because it shows how often you’re giving yourself a realistic opportunity to make a par or a birdie.

GIR reflects consistency in ball striking, approach play, and course strategy. High GIR numbers usually correlate with lower round scores, as:

• You successfully avoid hazards and tricky chip shots
• You reduce the pressure on your short game
• You increase your chances of making putts that count

Think of GIR as a stat that tells you how often you’re “doing the hard part” right – getting to the green efficiently so that putting becomes your main focus.

What's the origin of greens in regulation as a measure?

We don’t know for certain who first came up with the greens in regulation measure, but we know it arose as a statistic during the mid-20th century as the professional game became more competitive and data-driven analysis came more to the fore.

GIR quickly became a foundational metric because it clearly indicated a player’s ability to approach greens effectively, something that very much separates amateurs from pros. Today, greens in regulation is a key stat used in both professional and amateur golf. It has become a benchmark for measuring strategic play and a fundamental stat used in player development.

How does greens in regulation relate to my handicap?

Your greens in regulation stat can be a strong indicator of your handicap.

Generally, lower handicap golfers can expect to hit more greens in regulation during a round. According to Shot Scope, the average greens in regulation achieved by handicap are:

• 0 handicap: 59% GIR
• 5 handicap: 41% GIR
• 15 handicap: 21 GIR
• 20 handicap: 14% GIR
• 25 handicap: 9% GIR

Because greens in regulation reflects your ability to reach putting greens efficiently, improving this stat almost always leads to a lower handicap. Conversely, if you’re hitting fewer GIRs than others with a similar handicap, it might reveal a weakness in your approach play or your tee shots.

Tracking GIR can help give you an insight into why your handicap is where it is and what to work on to improve your game.

What are the benefits of using greens in regulation?

Learning how to calculate greens in regulation isn’t just about logging a number. Using GIR is about understanding your game, especially your approach to the green. By keeping greens in regulation in mind, and by tracking it, you can:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in your game: You’ll quickly see if your iron play or long game needs work.
• Set measurable goals: Whether you aim to improve from 4 to 6 GIRs per round or hit double digits, it’s a stat you can track and aim to achieve with every round you play.
• Plan your practice play better: If you’re missing greens from 150 yards out, you can dedicate time to your mid-irons. If you’re struggling from further out, you can work on your driving.
• Lower your scores: More greens hit in fewer shots usually means fewer chips and short-side scrambles, translating to fewer bogeys or worse.
• Improve your mental game: Knowing you’re consistently reaching greens in regulation gives you confidence in your approach play and strategy.

How to calculate overall greens in regulation for a round

To hit a greens in regulation, you need to land on the green in two shots fewer than the par for that hole.

To calculate your GIR rate for your round: 

• Count how many times you make a GIR
• Then divide it by 18 for a whole round of golf (or 9 for a half)
• And then multiply that number by 100 to get a percentage rate

For instance, if you achieved 4 GIRs in a full round: 4 / 18 equals 0.22, multiplied by 100 gives 22%. 

How can I hit more greens in regulation?

Improving your GIR rate involves focusing on a few key areas of your game:

• Improving your tee shots: The further and more precise your driving, the easier it is to hit greens. "Fairways hits" (FH) are typically the first step to achieving good GIR stats.
• Knowing your distances: Understanding your club yardages is crucial. Use a rangefinder or GPS to know exactly how far you are from the pin.
• Playing with smart targets: Don’t always aim directly at the pin if there’s a clever shot to make, such as aiming for the centre of the green or the safest part, especially if hazards are nearby.
• Working on your iron play: Accurate approach shots from 100–175 yards are key to hitting greens in regulation. Practice swing tempo, alignment, and ball striking on the driving range.
• Managing your course strategy: Play within your limits. Sometimes, laying up short of trouble and hitting a full wedge is smarter than going for a risky long iron.

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