Pros News
How many Greens in Regulation should you hit?
A scratch golfer hits around 58 percent of greens in regulation, which works out to roughly 10 or 11 greens per round. Many players assume golfers at this level hit almost every green, but the numbers show a very different picture. Even the best amateur players miss close to half of their approach shots, which highlights just how important a reliable short game is.
As handicaps rise, GIR drops steadily. A five handicap averages around 45 percent, a ten handicap averages roughly 35 percent, and by the time a golfer reaches twenty-five handicap, the average GIR is just over 16 percent. This clearly shows that greens in regulation are one of the strongest indicators of scoring ability.
Reaching scratch is not only about hitting more greens however. It is about turning missed greens into pars, avoiding simple mistakes around the green, and understanding your tendencies. Hitting more greens will always help, but how you perform on the holes where you miss greens often matters even more.
