Proximity to Hole: The Stat Nobody Tracks But Should
TL;DRGIR tells you if you hit it. Proximity tells you how close.
GIR is binary — on or off. Proximity is continuous. A 30-foot GIR and a 5-foot GIR are the same in your GIR column but worth a stroke apart on the green. That's why tour analytics dropped GIR and moved to proximity 15 years ago.
Proximity benchmarks (150-yard shot)
| Player | Avg proximity | % inside 30 ft |
|---|---|---|
| Tour pro | 26 ft | 78% |
| Scratch | 32 ft | 65% |
| 5 | 42 ft | 52% |
| 10 | 55 ft | 38% |
| 15 | 70 ft | 28% |
Source:Shot Scope handicap benchmark data; PGA Tour ShotLink for tour pro proximity. Amateur figures include on-green and short-side outcomes and vary by yardage bucket.
What to do with it
Track your proximity for 5 rounds at three yardages: 100, 150, 175. The yardage with the worst number relative to benchmark is your one swing/club priority. Most 10 handicaps find their 175 number is closer to a 15's — that's the gap to close.
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