Miles Bennett
Golf green speed is a crucial factor in the game, influencing the outcome of a golfer's putts, chip shots, pitch shots, and approach shots. Green speed is determined by the smoothness and consistency of a golf ball's movement across the putting surface. Greenkeepers and course managers use a device called a Stimpmeter to measure this speed, which is often shortened to 'Stimp'. The Stimpmeter was invented in the 1930s by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, who designed a wooden device that served as a chute for a golf ball to roll down. The modern version is made of aluminium and features a V-shaped groove to support the ball. To use the Stimpmeter, a flat portion of the green is selected, and the device is placed on the ground with one end slowly lifted until the ball is released. The distance the ball travels in feet is the speed of the green. This measurement is essential for golfers to determine the force required for their putts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it called? | Stimpmeter, Stimp |
| Who invented it? | Edward S. Stimpson, Sr. (1904-1985) |
| When was it invented? | 1935 |
| What does it measure? | Green speed, ball roll distance (BRD) |
| How does it work? | Applies a known velocity to a golf ball and measures the distance travelled in feet |
| What does it look like? | Yardstick with a V-shaped track down the middle, small ramp |
| How long is it? | 36 inches (91 cm) |
| How wide is it? | 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) |
| What is it made of? | Wood (original); Aluminium (redesigned in 1976) |
| What is the ideal surface for measurement? | Flat, 10' x 10' |
| How many measurements are taken? | Six distances, three in each of two opposite directions |
| What is the average speed of a green? | 8-10 feet |
| What is considered a fast speed? | 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast |
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Stimpmeter
The Stimpmeter is a device used to measure the speed of a golf course putting green. It does so by applying a known velocity to a golf ball and measuring the distance travelled in feet. The device was designed in 1935 by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, Sr., a Massachusetts state amateur champion and former Harvard golf team captain. Stimpson was a spectator at the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont near Pittsburgh, where he witnessed a putt by a top professional roll off a green. He was convinced the greens were unreasonably fast but wondered how he could prove it. He developed a device, made of wood, now known as the Stimpmeter, which is an angled track that releases a ball at a known velocity so that the distance it rolls on a green's surface can be measured.
The Stimpmeter measures 36 inches (91 cm) in length and has a V-shaped chute down which a golf ball can roll. It is designed with two notches in it on which a ball can rest. One of these notches is 30 inches from the tapered end that rests on the ground, and the other is 14 inches from the end. To measure the speed of the greens, a flat area is selected. A golf ball is placed on the notch that is 30 inches from the end – also known as the 1X notch – and that end of the Stimpmeter is lifted slowly, with the other end still resting on the green, until the ball rolls down the chute and across the green.
This process is repeated three times and, so long as each reading is within eight inches of one another, the average of these three becomes one of the two measurements that will be used. Then the process is repeated, but with the start point now being the average point of where the three balls finished, and the chute is pointed to roll the ball back in the exact opposite direction to the three previous rolls. This means that any slight slopes, or the effect of the grain, will be balanced out. If the three readings are not within eight inches of each other, the process must be repeated. If the trio still fails to accord with one another, it may be that that section of the green has too much slope.
In 1976, the Stimpmeter was redesigned from aluminium by Frank Thomas of the United States Golf Association (USGA). It was first used by the USGA during the 1976 U.S. Open in Atlanta and made available to golf course superintendents in 1978. The Stimpmeter is a crucial tool for greenkeepers and course managers. It is often shortened to 'stimp' and gives golfers important information that helps them determine how hard to hit their putts.
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Stimp reading
The "Stimp reading" is a term derived from the Stimpmeter, a device used to measure the speed of a golf course's putting green. The device was invented in 1935 by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, Sr., a Massachusetts state amateur champion and former Harvard golf team captain. Stimpson created a wooden version of the device, which was redesigned using aluminium by Frank Thomas of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1976.
The Stimpmeter is an angled track with a V-shaped groove that releases a golf ball at a known velocity, typically 6.00 ft/s (1.83 m/s), onto a flat section of the green. The distance travelled by the ball in feet is the speed of the putting green. To ensure accuracy, six distances are measured: three in each of two opposite directions, which are then averaged. The three balls in each direction must be within 8 inches (20 cm) of each other for USGA validation.
The Stimp reading is a numerical value that represents the speed of the green, indicating how fast a golf ball rolls on the surface. This value is based on the measurements taken with the Stimpmeter. For example, if a ball rolls 11 feet after leaving the ramp, the green is stimping at 11. A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered very fast, while an average club reading would be around 9 or 10.
The Stimp reading is an essential tool for greenkeepers and course managers, helping them maintain consistent green speeds across the entire course. It also provides golfers with valuable information to determine the force required for their putts. The Stimp reading has become a standard metric in golf, with mentions of green speeds and stimp ratings now commonplace in golf commentary and discussions.
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Green speed rating
The golf term "stimp", or green speed rating, gives golfers important information that helps them determine how hard to hit their putts. The speed of a golf green is measured using a device called a Stimpmeter, which was invented by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, Sr. in 1935. Stimpson was a spectator at the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont near Pittsburgh, where he witnessed a putt by a top professional roll off the green. He then developed the Stimpmeter, a device made of wood, to prove that the greens were unreasonably fast. The Stimpmeter was redesigned from aluminium by Frank Thomas of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1976.
The Stimpmeter measures 36 inches (91 cm) in length and has a V-shaped chute down which a golf ball can roll. It is designed with two notches in it on which a ball can rest. One of these notches is 30 inches from the tapered end that rests on the ground, and the other is 14 inches from the end. To measure the speed of the greens, a flat area will be selected. A golf ball is placed on the notch which is 30 inches from the end – also known as the 1X notch – and that end of the Stimpmeter is lifted slowly, with the other end lying flat on the ground. The distance travelled by the ball in feet is the 'speed' of the putting green. This process is repeated three times and, so long as each reading is within eight inches of one another, the average of these three becomes one of the two measurements that will be used.
The process is then repeated but with the start point now being the average point of where the three balls finished, and the chute is pointed to roll the ball back in the exact opposite direction to the three previous rolls. This means that any slight slopes, or the effect of the grain, will be balanced out. If the three readings are not within eight inches of each other, the process must be repeated. If the trio still fail to accord with one another, it may be that that section of the green has too much slope. The average roll going in one direction is then added to the average roll in the opposite direction; the total is then divided by two. This is the final figure, or the Stimpmeter reading, measured in feet.
On average, courses typically measure around 8-10 feet on the Stimpmeter, with tournament greens as high as 11-12 feet or more. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12. A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast.
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Green speed consistency
The Stimp meter, or "Stimp", is a device used to measure the speed of a golf course putting green. It was designed in 1935 by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, Sr. The device was first used by the USGA in 1976 and made available to golf course superintendents in 1978. The Stimp meter is a yardstick with a V-shaped track down the middle. It releases a golf ball at a consistent angle and measures its roll distance. The distance travelled by the ball in feet is the 'speed' of the putting green.
Course managers and groundskeepers can modify several elements to achieve the desired speed. Mowing more frequently or using specialised mowing equipment can help achieve a faster green. Adjusting the height of the cut also plays a significant role in green speed. However, over-mowing or cutting too short can damage the grass and affect the health and consistency of the green.
The grass type also directly impacts the speed. For example, bentgrass is known for creating faster greens because of its fine texture and smooth surface. Bermuda grass, on the other hand, tends to be slower, especially in warmer climates. Golf courses often adjust mowing heights to achieve the desired speed. Additionally, water management is critical for green speed. Wet greens are slower than dry ones, and hot, dry conditions can cause greens to speed up.
To achieve green speed consistency, course managers must follow strict mowing, rolling, and irrigation practices to maintain the greens in top condition. Regular maintenance and the use of tools like the Stimp meter ensure that golfers can predict how their putts will behave, leading to a more enjoyable and fair game.
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Green firmness
Green speed is a measure of how quickly a golf ball rolls on a putting surface. The speed of a green is determined by several factors, one of which is firmness. The firmer the surface, the faster the green speed. However, it is challenging to maintain greens that are firm enough to promote speed while remaining soft enough to accept a well-struck golf shot. A small amount of mat or thatch is desirable as it provides some resilience and cushion to golf balls, but too much can negatively impact speed and smoothness.
The Stimpmeter, a popular device for measuring green speed, also considers firmness. It measures the distance a ball rolls on a green after being released from a notch at a specific velocity. While the Stimpmeter is widely used, it is not the only tool for assessing green performance, and other factors like smoothness and grass length also influence speed.
The importance of green speed extends beyond putting, affecting chip shots, pitch shots, and approach shots. Golfers must learn to read and adjust to varying green speeds during a round. While practice greens are valuable, golfers should pay close attention to the first few putts on the course, as they provide insight into the speed and performance of the greens they will encounter.
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Frequently asked questions
A stimpmeter is a device used to measure the speed of a golf course putting green. It was designed in 1935 by golfer Edward S. Stimpson, Sr. The device measures 36 inches (91 cm) in length and has a V-shaped chute down which a golf ball can roll.
A stimpmeter reading is taken by rolling a golf ball down a fixed ramp at a set angle and measuring how far it travels on the putting surface. The distance travelled by the ball in feet is the 'speed' of the putting green. The farther the ball rolls, the faster the green.
A stimp rating, or green speed rating, gives golfers important information that helps them determine how hard to hit their putts. A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12.
