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The Stimpmeter is a simple, accurate device manufac- tured by the USGA that allows one to make a standard measurement of, and place a numerical figure on, the speed of a putting green. It does so by measuring ball roll distance.
What is considered fast on the Stimpmeter?
What is fast on the stimpmeter? Fast or slow is arbitrary but in general, anything over an 11 is considered fast amongst most golfers. Some of the fastest green readings are around 14 or 15 (like Augusta National) and are nearly impossible to putt on for most amateur golfers as the golf ball rolls forever.
What is the average Stimpmeter reading?
A typical golf club usually aims for a Stimpmeter reading of 9 or 10. This is generally considered to be the goldilocks zone of green speeds; not too fast, not too slow. For golfing competitions, it’s not uncommon to see stimpmeter readings creep up to 11 or 12, which is the average stimpmeter reading on the PGA Tour.
How fast is 13 on the Stimpmeter?
“This green’s stimp rating is 11.” A green speed of 7 is generally considered very slow and is slower than a green speed of 9 (a moderate speed). A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast.
What does 12 on the Stimpmeter mean?
A stimpmeter is useful for greenkeepers to be able to check the pace of their greens. For everyday club golf between 9 or 10 on the stimpmeter would be a good pace. When the greens get up to 11, 12 or even 13 – that’s extremely quick.
What does a Stimpmeter look like?
The Stimpmeter is an extruded aluminum bar, 36 inches long, with a V-shaped groove on each side that extends along its entire length. It has two precisely milled ball-release notches, one on each side of the bar.
What speed are PGA greens?
The average green speed on the PGA Tour is about 11 or above, which is significantly quicker than a regular golf club. One event that has always been associated with fast greens is The Masters and we have seen many players over the years struggle on the putting surfaces at Augusta National.
How fast are pro Greens?
Most weeks on the PGA Tour, however, the green speeds are in the range of a 12 on the Stimpmeter. For the Masters, US Open, The Players and PGA Championship, the green speeds usually get anywhere from 13 to 14 on the Stimpmeter.
What makes a golf green fast?
The firmer the surface, the faster the green speed. Difficulty arises in maintaining greens firm enough to promote speed, yet soft enough to accept a well-struck golf shot. The United States Golf Association (USGA) classification of green speed is based on Stimpmeter measurements (Table 1).
What does simp mean in golf?
The “stimp” or “stimp rating” of a putting green is a numerical value that represents how fast the golf ball rolls on the putting surface. Golfers call this rating the green speed. That value is based on a measurement taken with a simple instrument called a Stimpmeter (hence the terms stimp and stimp rating).
What is slope rating in golf?
What is a Slope Rating and what does it represent? A. Playing length and obstacles impact higher-handicap players more than lower-handicap players, and Slope Rating measures the relative difficulty of a golf course for players who are not scratch players compared to those who are scratch players.
What are the dimensions of a Stimpmeter?
The Stimpmeter is 36 inches (91cm) in length and 1.75 inches (4.4cm) wide, with a 145˚ V-shaped groove extending along its entire length, supporting the ball at two points. It is tapered at one end by removing metal from its underside to reduce the bounce of the ball as it rolls onto the green.
What is the green speed at the Masters?
This ramp style device has a notch and the ball is pulled out of that notch by gravity when the device is slowly raised to an angle of about 20°, rolling onto the green at a repeatable velocity of 6.00 feet per second. How many feet it then rolls on a flat putting green is the green speed.
How fast were greens in the 70s?
Before releasing their modified Stimpmeter (briefly known as the “Speed Stick”), the USGA took green speed measurements in 1976 and 1977 on more than 1,500 greens in 36 states. The average green speed was 6.5 feet.
Can I make a Stimpmeter?
To build your own stimpmeter, go to your home center / lumber yard and get a 4′ section of moulding called “cove moulding” (s/b about $3.00). This moulding is flat on the back with a perfect golfball size groove in the center. Cut a length to 36″. The groove for the ball should be 6″ from the top.
What is stint in golf?
The Stimpmeter is a device used to measure the speed of a golf course putting green by applying a known velocity to a golf ball and measuring the distance traveled in feet.
Are faster greens harder?
In conclusion, fast greens (or at least greens golfers consider to be fast) are more difficult for the average golfer. They pose a greater challenge for distance control, leading to more 3- and 4-putts. You will also avoid a big surprise if the greens are what you consider fast.
How do you measure green speed with a Stimpmeter?
Place the ball into the notch in the Stimpmeter, and raise the device slowly until the ball falls out of the notch and rolls away. When the ball has come to a rest, measure the distance that it has traveled. This is your first reading. Repeat this test two more times going in the same direction.
