Realistic Handicp Target for an 18 Handicapper

[garyinderry]

Something nice to work on, from the book Lowest Score Wins.

Near GIR is considered within 20 yards of green without being in too much trouble, heavy rough, bunkers, over hazards etc

My short game is by far the best part of my game, game golf rates me as a 5 handicapper at it. I am now working on getting to 11+ nGIRs a round which I think will be the fastest way to get handicap down quick.

I like the look of this stat and could be a very useful tool to monitor if looking to drop down from 18.

I dont hit as many greens as I would like (who does) but I dont miss too many outside of 20 yards. Obviously there is the odd one where I've hit a poor tee shot and can't reach or blocked out and the odd one I've laid up due to the long approach being dangerous but many of my misses would be well inside the 20 yard area around the green leaving a good chance of an up and down.

Going to keep am eye on this stat myself for the next while.

 

[AMcC]

I like the look of this stat and could be a very useful tool to monitor if looking to drop down from 18.

I dont hit as many greens as I would like (who does) but I dont miss too many outside of 20 yards. Obviously there is the odd one where I've hit a poor tee shot and can't reach or blocked out and the odd one I've laid up due to the long approach being dangerous but many of my misses would be well inside the 20 yard area around the green leaving a good chance of an up and down.

Going to keep am eye on this stat myself for the next while.

I like this idea as well. I have been keeping stats for a few years and my GIR figures always looked low, but also my putting stats were quite good, averaging 32.4 putts per round. But this was only because I had the opportunity to chip / putt a lot of shots from just off the greens which often meant a single putt and very few three putts.

 

[GreggerKBR]

I like this idea as well. I have been keeping stats for a few years and my GIR figures always looked low, but also my putting stats were quite good, averaging 32.4 putts per round. But this was only because I had the opportunity to chip / putt a lot of shots from just off the greens which often meant a single putt and very few three putts.

Proximity to the hole or the green?

20 yards of the green is not actually much good... if the flag is 20 yards on and you are 20 yards short... that's 40 yards!
That is not a good proximity (unless you're like me and approaching from behind a tree!).

This should IMHO be proximity to the hole.
I keep this stat for <15 yards rather than <20, as the scrambling rate from <20 is significantly different to <15 yards.

Also it's the measure of any approach shot, not the GIR stat.
So if you hit it behind a tree, then it's not the recovery shot you are measuring but the approach...

 

[garyinderry]

Proximity to the hole or the green?

20 yards of the green is not actually much good... if the flag is 20 yards on and you are 20 yards short... that's 40 yards!
That is not a good proximity (unless you're like me and approaching from behind a tree!).

This should IMHO be proximity to the hole.
I keep this stat for <15 yards rather than <20, as the scrambling rate from <20 is significantly different to <15 yards.

Also it's the measure of any approach shot, not the GIR stat.
So if you hit it behind a tree, then it's not the recovery shot you are measuring but the approach...

Its just a measure of on or near the green in regulation. From 20 yards and in, The worst you should score is a bogey really and look to improve your up and down percentage.

 

[GreggerKBR]

Its just a measure of on or near the green in regulation. From 20 yards and in, The worst you should score is a bogey really and look to improve your up and down percentage.

I get it trust me...

What I'm saying it GIR is not a worthwhile stat to be bothering with.
If you have missed the FW and can possibly reach the green then it could be deemed an "approach shot"
But if not, why record a missed GIR if you have to chip out from bunker/trees etc.?
You still have an approach shot you can measure/record but you'd be losing out on a GIR stat - it's worthless.
The fact is the poor tee shot cost you - not the GIR.
Fine to measure GIR for Par 3s in isolation.
But what about a short par 5? You knock it close in 2, but is the chip shot the right shot to evaluate as a "GIR".
Or are you seriously going to give yourself a missed GIR for not hitting the green in 2?

I'm just being a boring pedantic differential jerk saying the old "GIR" measure is a load of rubbish... it's not worth recording at all.

Likewise... "proximity measurements to target" should be to the hole... not the green.

I'd rather have a 10ft putt uphill from off the front of the green (apron/fringe) than a 40ft downhill monster putt from back but on the green.
in this case proximity to flag is great, but you've missed a green (maybe you hit the green but it spun back off low side in front of hole).
But the alternative is a much harder shot from much further away - but does have GIR achieved and better proximity to green...?

I grant you I've picked a particular scenario.
Of course I might rather have a 40ft downhill putt than 15ft pot bunker shot!
so maybe this is where golf stats have an interesting disconnect... what is a good or bad miss?

 

[garyinderry]

I like the idea it because it is a simple thing to monitor. It will certainly help someone as they come down from 18.

Its not GIR. Its green in reg plus 20 yards and safe. :rofl: if someone playing off 18 can monitor and improve on that stat they will surely improve.


The rest of those stats would be more useful to a low handicap player. As you say, stats don't tell the whole story and can be used to prove anything.

 

[Dasit]

Greg, you are being a bit pedantic with this now.

It is for stats keeping so over large samples specifics of being stuck behind a tree on hole and reaching in 2 on the short par 17th will be ironed out.


If you go from 9 nGiR average in May to 12 nGiR average in September you have made an improvement.

 

[GreggerKBR]

Greg, you are being a bit pedantic with this now.

It is for stats keeping so over large samples specifics of being stuck behind a tree on hole and reaching in 2 on the short par 17th will be ironed out.


If you go from 9 nGiR average in May to 12 nGiR average in September you have made an improvement.

Yes, totally guilty and no remorse!
as I said "I'm just being a boring pedantic differential jerk saying the old "GIR" measure is a load of rubbish... it's not worth recording at all."

I've pedantically scrutinised and used both methods for years on end... and now I'm particular to one method which I was sharing with you.
I do accept it's just my pedantic (informed) opinion.

it's a noble endeavour to want to improve one's handicap... no matter what method or path you follow.
and I wish everyone the very best in their journey - of course.