A green in regulation (GIR) means getting your ball onto the green in two strokes fewer than the par of the hole. On a par 3 that is your tee shot, on a par 4 your second shot, and on a par 5 your third shot or earlier. The idea is simple: if you reach the green in regulation and then two-putt, you make par. Japanese golfers call this “par on”, but on scorecards and in statistics the standard term is green in regulation, usually shortened to GIR.
Green in regulation on par 3s, par 4s and par 5s
The number of strokes allowed to hit a green in regulation is always par minus two. The table also shows the “one over regulation” figure, which many mid-handicap golfers use as a more realistic target.
| Hole | Green in regulation | One over regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Par 3 | On with the tee shot | On in two |
| Par 4 | On in two or fewer | On in three |
| Par 5 | On in three or fewer | On in four |
Reaching the green earlier than regulation, such as driving a par 4 or getting home in two on a par 5, still counts as a green in regulation. In those cases two putts gives you a birdie, which is why players talk about an eagle or birdie chance.
What counts as being on the green
Under the Rules of Golf, a ball is on the putting green when any part of it touches the putting green. A ball sitting on the edge counts as on the green as long as part of it is touching the green surface.
The area that causes the most confusion is the fringe, the slightly longer grass that surrounds the green (also called the collar or apron). The fringe is not part of the putting green, so a ball that stops there does not count as a green in regulation. Even if you can putt from the fringe, the stat sheet records it as a missed green.
Green in regulation vs. “on in three”, “on the green” and driving the green
Golfers describe reaching the green in several ways, and they do not all mean the same thing.
- One over regulation (“bogey on”): reaching the green in one stroke more than regulation, for example on in three on a par 4. Two putts then gives you a bogey. For golfers trying to break 100, aiming to be on in regulation plus one on every hole is a clear, achievable plan.
- On the green: simply that the ball is on the putting surface, regardless of how many strokes it took, as in “finally on the green”.
- On in one, on in two: describing the stroke on which you reached the green. On in one on a par 3 is a green in regulation; on in one on a par 4 (driving the green) is one stroke better than regulation.
Hitting the green in regulation and then three-putting still gives you a bogey. On the other hand, you can miss the green, chip close and hole one putt for par. That is called an up and down. GIR is not a score; it tells you whether you arrived at the green in a position that makes par likely.
Typical GIR percentages
Your GIR percentage is the number of greens hit in regulation divided by the number of holes played. Hitting nine greens over 18 holes gives you 50%.
Figures compiled by a British golf magazine give the following approximate averages by handicap.
| Handicap | Typical GIR percentage | Greens hit per 18 holes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (scratch) | About 50% | About 9 |
| 10 | About 30% | About 5 to 6 |
| 20 | About 20% | About 3 to 4 |
Even tour professionals are nowhere near 100%. The PGA Tour average sits at around 65%, and the season leader is usually only a little above 70%. Most professional tours publish GIR as one of their official statistics. For an amateur, hitting a handful of greens in regulation per round is a sign you are moving in the right direction.
How to hit more greens in regulation
- Keep the tee shot in the fairway first. From the rough or the trees you get far fewer chances to attack the green.
- Aim approach shots at the middle of the green, not the flag. The closer the pin is to an edge, the more greens you will hit by aiming at the centre.
- Know how far you actually hit each club. Choosing one club more than your average distance cuts down on shots that come up short. Our guide to typical distances for each club can help as a reference.
- Do not force it on holes you cannot reach. If a par 4 is out of reach in two, switch to a plan of hitting the green safely in three.
Marking whether you hit each green in regulation on your scorecard shows you your real GIR percentage and makes it easier to decide what to practise.
How golfers talk about GIR on the course
In conversation, golfers often shorten greens in regulation to just “greens”. A few phrases you will hear:
- “I hit the green in regulation.” / “I was on in two.” (on a par 4, reaching the green with the second shot)
- “I hit nine greens today.” (nine greens in regulation in the round)
- “I missed the green.” (did not reach the green in regulation)
- There is no fixed English term for reaching the green one over regulation; golfers just say “on in three” or give the number of strokes.
At courses where you play with a caddie, as at many courses in Southeast Asia, asking “How far to the middle of the green?” before your approach gets you the number that gives you the best chance of hitting the green in regulation.