Perfectly True
The STRI’s ‘Dynamic Duo’, Richard Windows and Henry Bechelet, are back again, and this time it’s all on the level!
Testing Time
The game of golf is a test. Our job, when preparing the course, is to provide a good examination of the players’ game. We need to present the course in a way that assesses all the various aspects of the game, with the golfer ultimately being rewarded for skilful play. We want the course to challenge the players in an interesting and enjoyable way that leaves them wanting more. We achieve this, in part, by setting up the playing surfaces in a way that rewards good play. The greens pose a major part of the test of the game, with roughly half of all the shots being played into or on them. In general, the greens should be firm but receptive enough to reward accurate and well-struck approach shots. They need to take the ball then release it to allow skilful shot-making from the surrounds. And, of course, they need to be well-paced, smooth and true for putting. To be true to the game they shouldn’t be flattering to average play by holding poorly struck shots or those taken from the rough. So, the set-up of the greens is crucially important if they are going to provide the ideal platform for play. This article concerns the perfection of the surface for putting.
Wait for it
If we are going to perfect the surfaces for putting then we have to consider all its requirements. At present, certain golfers and greenkeepers declare that
the speed of the green is all-important with ever faster being better and nothing else matters. With such single- minded individuals the stimpmeter reading is king and it seems to be used as a measure of prowess, with anything less than double figures being unsatisfactory and the sign of inadequacy. We all know this is nonsense and that faster doesn’t necessarily mean better, because there’s more to it than that. Of course, the green speed is an important playing quality and it needs to be right, but it is not everything. There are other playing quality attributes we must also work at when setting up the perfect putting surfaces. Surface smoothness is as equally important as speed, and it needs to be a key consideration.
Learn from the best
It is always interesting to be around the top tournament professionals because they are really demanding of their greens, and with good reason, because there’s a lot at stake in their game. In the eyes of the true professional the ideal putting surface comprises a combination of optimal speed, smoothness and trueness (let’s leave the firmness/receptivity for another article). The professionals want the surface to
provide the perfect roll for the ball in response to their super-accurate read and grooved putting stroke. For tournament play the speed of the surface is the test of the competitors feel and nerve, while the perfectly
smooth and true roll rewards their read. The perfect putting surface tests the player but also gives reward for skilful play. Well-paced, smooth and true is what the perfectionists want. It is true to say that the professional would sacrifice an element of speed for improved smooth/trueness. A fair test and no complaints is all that anyone wants. Smoothness is key.
Hold on
At present, we can measure the speed of the greens using the stimpmeter and, so, we can easily calculate the speed of the surface and evaluate the results. With this simple procedure we can tell the speed of the surface and decide whether it meets our requirement. Fine. The problem is that there has never been an easy or accurate way of measuring or rating the
smoothness/trueness of the surfaces to give a good sight on the quality of the roll. We have always relied on our own perception or golfer feedback, neither of which are particularly accurate or helpful. Until now.
Ladies and Gentlemen …
STRI are pleased to announce two major developments that are both aimed at quantifying the
smooth/trueness of the putting surfaces. We now have a device that can accurately measure the smooth/trueness of the surface and we have also developed a reliable method for us all to rate the smooth/trueness of the roll.
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