degrees, ensuring the velocity of the ball will always be the same when it reaches the tapered end. Six distances, three rolled in each
of two opposite directions, should be averaged on a flat section of the putting green and the balls should come to rest no more than 8 inches apart. The distance travelled by the ball in feet is the “speed” of the put- ting green. Putting greens typically stimp any-
where from 7 to 12 feet, depending on a number of factors including weather, turfgrass variety, turfgrass health and putting surface undulations. The Stimpmeter is a valuable
tool for golf course superintendents to achieve speed uniformity on all of their putting surfaces. It allows a su- perintendent to compare the speed of the No. 4 green with No. 11, No. 18, etc., and take steps to equalize them.
However, the Stimpmeter has
come with an unintended downside. Golfers, greens committees and oth- ers often use the results of the device to compare the speed of greens from course to course, and unfortunately, to establish a benchmark of putting difficulty. The mindset has become a faster putting surface equals a bet- ter putting surface, causing golfers to compare their local course or home club to green speeds they see at each week’s PGA Tour stop. These expectations are unrealistic,
as extremely fast greens are very fragile and susceptible to high tem- peratures, lack of moisture, diseases and pests. PGA Tour and USGA events spend significant amounts of time and money to get the speeds up for championship play, but following these events, the greens are brought back down to a more manageable
level for everyday play. Additionally, slower greens have proven to speed up the pace of play, as they are much easier for the average player to negotiate. Golfers and greens committees should understand and accept the limitations of putting greens at their home facilities, and adjust their at- titude about the competitive aspect of green speeds accordingly, using the Stimpmeter to focus on fairness and consistency, not fastness.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California is dedicated to serving its members, fostering communication, advancing the profession, improving the environment and enriching the quality of golf. For more information, visit
gcsanc.com or follow us on Twitter @GCSANC. It is an affiliated chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
“How are they running?” I’m sitting in Porter’s enjoying
one of Chef Johnny’s lunch creations as I frequently do. The only thing more consistent
than my choice of lunch is the bits and pieces of conversation I overhear from my fellow diners. One table of golfers is having a pre-round lunch next to a group having a post-round drink. “How was the course?” one asks. “Great. It’s a lot of fun out
there,” the other replies. “How are they running?” My ears nervously hone in to
hear their replies. “Quick, “ says one. “Slow,” says the other. Followed
by “Nice,” and finally, “Smooth.” I begin to wonder if they were
all playing the same course. Our golfers who have yet to play begin to shout numbers like an auctioneer: “9.5?” “11?” “13?!” They finally agree on the “10 to
10.5 range.” The numbers our guests were passionately shouting are a reference to the Stimpmeter. The Stimpmeter has had a
tremendous effect on golf. Modern construction techniques such as USGA spec greens were developed in part to provide consistent soil conditions that would result in more consistent playing conditions. As consistency became less of an issue, the Stimpmeter numbers be- came a way of quantifying quality.
This would
be similar to measuring the quality of players by how much
clubhead speed they generate. There are many factors that
contribute to the quality of a put- ting surface. Would a bumpy 12 be a better experience than a smooth 10.5? Admittedly it is fun to discuss green speeds, and there is a level of challenge that is offered as the speed increases. So, the next time you find
yourself at a Stimpmeter auction, remember, the Stimpmeter measures speed, not quality. Play well, play more and
enjoy your course, wherever it may be.
FALL 2015 /
NCGA.ORG / 63
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