What is a greens-average in golf?

Answer 1

Greens average is a new alternate scoring and handicap system for Golf. The current stroke play scoring and handicap system has been around for 300 years and is one of the main reasons people quit golf after they try it. Unlike stroke play, the greens average measures consistency in a nonpunitive way that will increase the enjoyment of golf and decrease those who quit the game. Basically it is derived from the observation that GIR (greens-in-regulation) is directly related to stroke handicap but is modified to include approach shots that are near the green (by 10 yards) and not in a hazard; the concept of modified greens-in-regulation(mGIR). By using mGIR and a penalty for 3-putting, the green average can be calculated for any golfer. We can save stroke play/handicap for the pros and those who play more than 1-2 times a week. Thus one gets 1 point for hitting a green in regulation and 1/2 point for being near the green in regulation with minus 1/2 point for any 3-putts on any greens hit or near in regulation. Therefore if one plays 18 holes and hits 3 GIR and 4 near GIR (or 1/2 GIR) with no 3-putts they get 5 mGIR/18 = 28%. This percentage is their greens average and is like a Baseball players batting average of .280, and can be converted to a stroke play handicap of 24 based on the linear relationship between mGIR and stroke play handicap. The greens average can revolutionize golf by allowing more people to learn and not quit and allow seniors a chance to play even when they cannot break 90-100. The greens average can be used for those who do not like to play stroke play but enjoy scramble formats which are the most enjoyable format for golf. In a scramble one can keep track of how many mGIR they get and track individual performances in a scramble tournament. Finally one should not even keep a stroke play score until their greens average is above 20-25% to avoid the humiliation stroke play golf causes on all new golfers.