Greenies

First Definition
A "greenie" is a side bet that automatically pays off for any golfer who reaches the green in regulation.

Greenies are commonly included in the game known as Garbage or Dots. A group using greenies only has to agree before the round starts that a) greenies are in effect; and b) how much - in monetary value or in points - each greenie is worth.

The group then tees off, and every time during the round a greenie is recorded by a golfer, the golfer marks it down. At the end of the round, golfers compare how many greenies each recorded, tally up the points or money, and pay out the differences.

If a greenie means reaching the green in regulation, what does "reaching the green in regulation" mean? Each golf hole has a par rating - par 3, par 4, par 5 - and par always includes two putts. So "reaching the green in regulation" means:

• on the green in one stroke on a par-3
• on the green in two strokes on a par-4
• on the green in three strokes on a par-5

Second Definition
"Greenies" is also a slang term for the statistical category of greens in regulation. Golfers who track their stats typically track greens in regulation. When a golfer records one, it is common to refer to it as "making a greenie;" such a golfer might "mark down a greenie" on his scorecard.

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