USGA(?) approximate score
 

This may seem stupid, but I have recently found myself searching for facts on this topic without finding anything:

I recall reading somewhere that USGA(?) ran a statistical study that determined that the amateurs score for 18 holes will typically 96 subtracted by the number of greens hit times 2 - or something like that.

Anyone remember the exact result of the study, who conducted it and maybe posess a link?

There is a prescription that has been kicked around for years which relates number of GIRs to score you should have shot. The equation goes like what you said only 95. Let's say you had 8 GIRs. Then you should have shot 95 - 2*8 = 79. If you shot more than a 79 then you either had penalty strokes (need to work on the long game) or you had 3-putts, chili-dips, etc... (need to work on the short game). Mostly this prescription is used as a way to determine if you need short game help or not.

I played a round the other day and shot 81 with 4 GIRs. As you can see, my short game was outstanding that day! I have also hit 13 GIRs and shot 74 (ooops). In general, it is not a bad rule of thumb and makes for interesting conversation after the round is over.

Formula
 

No too far off. I did my last 20 score average and it came to 80.9, my actual is 80.15.

so 81 with 10 GIR means I need short game work :oops:

Lucky I knew that alreadt 8)