“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”
With both these methods we can obtain an accurate reading or rating of the surface smooth/trueness to go alongside our existing measure of the speed. This means that we can start accurately assessing all the required attributes of the putting surfaces. We can form a complete picture to help guide the surface preparations towards perfection. The great thing about smoothness is that a surface simply can’t be too smooth. This is maybe the area that the obsessionists might like to get stuck into in an entirely positive and non- damaging way.
It might be better if we started brandishing smoothness figures around as the measure of success rather than the stimpmeter reading.
The Trueness Meter
In conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, and with funding from The R&A, the STRI have developed an objective measurement tool that can accurately measure the smoothness and trueness of the greens. Some of you may have seen the prototype at BTME in January. The Trueness Meter generates a reading of both the smoothness and the trueness of the putting surface. The trolley device is pushed across the surface at a pace that reflects the speed of a ball starting a 10ft putt. With the aid of clever electronics, a metal wheel (with the same footprint and down pressure of a golf ball)
measures the amount of vertical displacement (smoothness) and lateral deviation (trueness) in terms of mm/metre.
The machine is incredibly accurate and can pick up minute textural differences in the turf, the influence of Poa annua seedheads, the impact of maintenance treatments, wear and tear, pest and disease activity and, of course, pitch marks. With this device we can accurately measure the microscopic deviations that impact on the smooth and true passage of the ball. Perfectionists lean forward. The Trueness Meter was used during the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and The Open at Turnberry this year to help evaluate the surfaces during practice and through the duration of each event. The results were interesting, enlightening and helpful.
Eyes open
The development and use of this tool is a huge leap forward because it allows smoothness and trueness to be forensically assessed. During both events we assessed the minute effect of the various surface refinement operations to help inform the process of perfection.
During the course of each event we could see the level of deterioration that occurred during the course of each day on individual greens, and how well the surface preparations were serving to mend them ready for the next day. The TM also highlighted the negative
impact that overly close mowing (being undertaken to increase the speed) was having on the smoothness and trueness of the greens, which supported the need for easing the mowing pressure. So, we believe this device will
revolutionise tournament preparation. At present, it does have its limitations because it only measures the smoothness/trueness of the greens at a single point in time and, at present, it is beyond the resources of most clubs to purchase one. Maybe in ten years it will be a standard assessment tool available to everyone. In the meantime, we need another method that can provide a good measure of the surface
smoothness/trueness on an ongoing basis for our down to earth greenkeeping.
Everyone is welcome
To help with your ongoing surface preparation decisions, we have also developed a visual rating system to score the smoothness/trueness levels on a day-to-day basis. May we also introduce the STRI Smoothness Scale.
The Smoothness Method
The measurement procedure is relatively simple. All you need is a USGA accredited stimpmeter, three high quality golf balls (e.g. Titleist Pro V1), your STRI Smoothness Scale and, of course, a critical eye. Firstly, you select a flat part of the
green (like you would when using the stimpmeter to measure pace) and run
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132