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).
How many greens should you hit in a round of golf?
Note that these are long-run averages, 20 or more rounds. Of course, there will be days when someone might hit 15 greens and shoot 80, or five greens and shoot under par, but over the course of 20 or more rounds, this chart will be accurate for virtually every golfer.
How many greens do scratch golfers really miss per round?
The numbers are lower than you might expect! At least that’s why I thought when I first saw them. When a scratch golfer shoots under par, they’re still missing about six greens per round, and they’re missing about nine on average.
Why is it important to read the Greens in golf?
It is a sign that the golf you are playing is good. Making the perfect putt does not come easy, and golfers use different methods to ensure they get it right. However, one of the best putting fundamentals that every golfer learns is how to read the greens and why it is crucial to do so.
Does Golf Digest have a putting green?
Indeed, Golf Digest had a Nicklaus-designed putting green in our main lobby for several years, a popular site of many a lunchtime and late-afternoon match. Alas, our offices have since moved but the green did not.
How fast is 13 on the Stimpmeter?
lightning-fastA 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 is considered a fast green?
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.
How do they measure green speed?
0:462:07How Golf Courses Measure Green Speeds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace a golf ball in the slot raise. The back into the spent meter slowly. Until gravity pulls theMorePlace a golf ball in the slot raise. The back into the spent meter slowly. Until gravity pulls the golf ball out of the slot. Down the bar and onto the green. Now you repeat this process three times
How is the Stimpmeter calculated?
0:294:00What is a Stimpmeter? | Golf Digest - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you measure the average distance that the ball rolls that way and then you combine the twoMoreAnd you measure the average distance that the ball rolls that way and then you combine the two numbers and divide them by two and that's the putting speed of the green.
Why are Augusta greens so fast?
The number that was estimated for Augusta National was 12 feet. That being said, it is noted that the Bentgrass grass at Augusta seem to change speed during the day. This is because they dry out in the morning and slow down in the evening as the sun sets. It is thought they can peak around 15 on the stimpmeter.
How do you tell if greens are fast or slow?
Here is where I find out the green speeds – I pace off how far the balls rolled. When the greens are slow, I will only pace off 9 – 10 steps. Normally I pace off 13 – 18 steps, but I have been on greens where I have paced off 27 steps (Chicago Golf Club for those who are wondering).
What do green speed numbers mean?
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).
How can I speed up my golf greens?
To balance green speed and turf health, it is recommended to mow as high as possible to achieve the desired green speed, which preserves extra leaf material for photosynthesis and growth. Increasing mowing frequency is another common method to improve surface quality and increase green speed.
What is the average Stimpmeter?
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.
What is the average green speed?
When the USGA introduced the Stimpmeter in 1978, it had just completed a year-long test of 581 courses. It found the average green speed to be about 6.5.
What course has the fastest greens?
Oakmont Country ClubRecommendations. The greens at Oakmont Country Club (where the device was conceived) are some of the fastest in the world, with readings of 15 feet (4.6 m).
How has the stimp rating changed in golf?
Stimp Ratings Have Changed in Golf Over the Years. In general, stimp rating s have gotten higher, meaning the green speeds have gotten faster over the years since the Stimpmeter was invented in the 1930s and since the United States Golf Association adopted the tool for measuring green speeds in the 1970s. For example, in 1978 the greens ...
How low can a green stimp?
Today it is almost unheard of for major championship greens to stimp lower than 11 or 10, unless weather conditions, such as high winds in the British Open, make such speeds unfair or even unplayable.
What does a putting green's stimp mean?
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.
What is the fastest green speed?
The higher the stimp, the faster the greens. 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. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12.
How many yards does a scratch golfer have?
Based on those numbers, a scratch golfer is considered capable of reaching a 470-yard hole in two shots.
How far do scratch golfers hit the ball?
One of those is how far they hit the ball. For rating purposes, the USGA system assumes that scratch golfers fly their drives an average of 225 yards, with 25 yards of roll. They carry their second shots an average of 200 yards, with 20 yards of roll. A bogey golfer, on the other hand, averages ...
How many shots is a 370 yard hole?
For a bogey golfer, a 370-yard hole is reachable in two shots. 2. Distance: the long and short of it. The difficulty of a course depends partly on its length. But yardage alone is not the only measure of how long a course plays.
Is an open course tough?
A U.S. Open course is tough by any measure. The measure the United States Golf Association uses is the course and slope rating system, which assigns two different numbers meaning two different things. While the course rating tells you how difficult a track is for a scratch player, the slope tells you the relative difficulty ...
How often should I aerate my greens?
This is typically done one to three times a year, depending on the course, the type of greens, and in what part of the country they are located. "The practice of core aeration is done when the grass is growing the most aggressively, so they can have the quickest recovery time," Moeller said.
Should golfers know before they practice?
Letting golfers know before they show up to the course should probably be the minimum practice, and most courses are trying to do that. How courses and clubs communicate this to golfers varies, of course.
Do you putt on greens that have been aerated?
Most golfers know the importance or aerating greens. Even if they don't understand why, they know it's necessary. Still, no one likes to putt on greens that have been recently aerated, especially a deep-tine aeration with core removal and top dressing. Trying to putt over holes is frustrating at best, and often golfers who do play in such ...
How many strokes can you cut in short game?
While it is possible to cut four strokes through short game alone (according to the chart), this assumes the golfer is among the worst at the short game for his ballstriking ability and then becomes among the best. In conclusion, if you average at the high end of the chart for scoring average and want to cut a couple of strokes, ...
How many strokes can a 13 handicapper cut?
In other words, a 13-handicapper will have about a 13-handicap short game, give or take a couple of strokes. He will not have a scratch-level short game on a daily basis. To cut five strokes off of someone’s average score, he will almost certainly have to average two more GIR per round. While it is possible to cut four strokes through short game ...
Can you cut a couple of strokes in the short game?
In conclusion, if you average at the high end of the chart for scoring average and want to cut a couple of strokes, you can indeed do it through the short game. But if you are already scoring as well as you can for your GIR numbers, the only way to lower your average score is to hit more greens. If that’s you, you either need to get some lessons ...
1. Avoid disaster off the tee
Lou’s information underlines the importance of giving yourself a chance to hit the green in regulation on every single hole. Slamming the odd monster drive down the middle is nice — but it’s not worth swinging for the fences on every drive if it puts you in the trees the rest of the time.
2. Forget the pin
And as for that second shot, you should probably forget about aiming at pins, and start chasing the fattest part of the green instead. Hitting lots of greens isn’t just really important, as you can see, but really difficult.
What is putting green?
Putting greens are comprised of living plants that change and perform differently from season to season and even day to day. Temperatures, humidity, rainfall and routine maintenance practices all influence daily green speed. Maintaining the same green speed throughout the year is impossible, and letting a target number dictate management practices is a recipe for damaged greens and undesirable playing conditions.
What is the most important thing to know about green speed measurements?
One of the most important things to know about green speed measurements is that they should not be used to compare one golf course with another. A green speed that is perfect for one course could be way too fast for a course down the road that has steeper green contours or golfers with different skill levels. There are simply too many variables involved to make reasonable comparisons.
What are the best ways to maintain fast greens?
While golfers hear a lot of discussion about courses with fast greens, they don’t hear as much about all that goes into providing those conditions. Lower mowing heights, regular topdressing, verticutting and hand watering are just some of the practices involved in maintaining faster greens. In addition, courses that maintain faster greens typically invest heavily in improving putting green growing environments by removing trees and enhancing drainage. The investments required on a daily and yearly basis to deliver faster green speeds are substantial, and beyond the budget of most golf courses.
