What Is an Up and Down in Golf?
Up and Down: Getting the ball in the hole in two shots from off the green — one chip, one putt.
Up and Down — full definition
Successfully completing a hole in two shots from off the green — one chip or pitch shot (the “up”) followed by one putt (the “down”). An up-and-down typically saves par after a missed green in regulation. The scrambling percentage (up-and-down rate) is one of the most important short game stats. PGA Tour players convert about 60% of their scrambling opportunities.
Up and Down — frequently asked
Up and Down — how does it work?
- The “up”: a chip or pitch shot onto the green
- The “down”: one putt to finish the hole
- Typically saves par after a missed green in regulation
What is a good up and down percentage?
- Also called scrambling percentage
- PGA Tour average: about 60%
- One of the most important short game stats for all skill levels
More on Up and Down
Scrambling is half a chip and half a putt, and both halves have equipment behind them.
- Best golf balls for greenside spinThe chip that checks is a cover-and-spin question.
- Putter toe hang chartThe other half of every up-and-down.
Other scoring & stats
Greens in Regulation
Reaching the green in the expected number of strokes — par minus 2.
Fairways Hit
The percentage of tee shots on par 4s and par 5s that land in the fairway.
Putts Per Round
Total putts in a round — PGA Tour average is about 29.
Sand Save
Getting up and down from a greenside bunker — one bunker shot and one putt.