Table of Contents
Introduction
No golfer in the world does not want to improve their scoring and lower their handicap. To do this, most golfers will want to hit longer, straighter drives with improved fairways regulation statistics. This is a very good approach. But as important as driving long distance is, the most important thing that truly improves overall scoring and total performance in golf is Greens in Regulation (GIR)
By hitting more greens and doing very well in short games such as putting will also lower your scores. However, this seems to be a quicker way than longer drives
Let’s face it, you have a perfect drive right down the middle of the fairway, aiming for an easy par only to miss the Green on your approach shot and end up with a bogey? That is very bad!
Hope you now see why you need GIR…
Basically, it doesn’t really matter how good you are with your driver if you can’t consistently hit greens in regulation. You will notice that tour players that hit the most greens in regulation also shoot the best scores. Green in Regulations is just an alternative by which you could lower your scores. To learn more about this, we recommend reading this guide thoroughly and discovering everything you need to know about GIR. Enjoy!
What Does It Mean to Hit A Green in Regulation
Hitting a Green in Regulation (GIR) is a term used for any part of the golf ball that touches the putting surface, and the number of strokes taken is at least two fewer than par.
Therefore, if you want to hit the Green of a par 3 hole in regulation, you will need to aim to be on the Green from the tee; for a par 4 hole, you must be on the Green in two, and for a par 5, you need to be on the Green in 3.
WHY YOUR GIR NUMBER IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR SCORE
A golfer who wants to improve will definitely want to increase the Green in regulation number. This process of achieving more greens might be difficult, but it is a fact. If you are looking to break 80, then your Green in regulation number is an alternative. Your odds of making par increase when your ball is on the greens rather than on the rough, bunkers, or sand trap.
Furthermore, green in regulation will help you in your desperate attempt to get the balls into holes. If the top pros are relying on this strategy, then you should. Hence, the attachment of great importance to it. Also, top pros hitting the most Green in regulation will shoot the best scores.
The top pros could rely on the Green in regulation because they are extremely good at the tee to green and short game and have little room for improvement in those areas. The reverse is the case for an amateur player
HOW TO HIT MORE GREENS IN REGULATION
Now that you have seen why the Green in regulation is important, it is crucial to know how you can hit more greens. Let’s discuss some ways you can make that happen
Get Plenty of Club
You will observe that the pros on their approach shots finish pin-high or past the target, even when they miss the Green. However, the reverse is the case for amateurs. If you do not play at the tour-level, you must choose a club that will at least put you past the hole if you have mastered distance control. With the, you will have enough distance to reach the Green.
Focus at the center
As much as you want the target, you might get frustrated if you do so. This is because, at times, the pin can be placed behind a hazard or tough to access – all these are just to trick you and make you commit a blunder. Whatever the case may be, you should instead evaluate the Green and its shape and then let your target be the middle of the Green. This approach works best for any variables that might arise in the greens. Moreover, any time you do this, you will notice that you could be about 30 feet within the hole or even closer than that.
Do not Force it
Don’t force it!
Let’s say your natural shot is a draw, and the target is on the Green’s right side behind a bunker. To get close, you’d have to hit a fade. Rather than trying to hit the perfect shot, play your draw to the center or left side of the Green. You’ll make a more confident swing, hit it flush, and take bogey or worse out of play.
Adopt the Run-Up Shot
No regulation says you must squeeze the ball onto the Green. Your best odds of getting onto the greens may be a low shot that bounces on. When you’re unsure if you can send the ball all the way, and the Green is open in front, take plenty of clubs, make an easy swing and run it up. Remember, they don’t ask how just how many.
Practice your Driving
To send the ball into the greens involves you to have a good grasp of your driving. You will never hit many greens if you always find yourself in the rough, trees, or not in the fairway hitting a wood or a hybrid. More accurate driving will automatically improve your GIR numbers; longer tee shots help, too, by putting a shorter club in your hand for the approach.
Conclusion
All golfers have a different style of play. While Green in regulation might be suitable for one, it might not really help the other. This is because increasing your GIR number might be challenging for some golfers, especially when short on time. It wouldn’t make sense to start pursuing this stat.
On the contrary, if you really want to get to the peak of your game, then hitting more greens in regulation is a good approach. We recommend you start by knowing your game and use some of the ideas from this guide to give yourself a better chance of hitting more GIR in your next game.
