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what is stimpmeter in golf

by Dr. Lukas McClure Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here are some specifics about how the Stimpmeter is built and works:

  • Stimpmeters were originally wooden, modern Stimpmeters are made of aluminum.
  • They are 36 inches long.
  • Working on a flat portion of the green, the superintendent or other course or tournament official places a golf ball at one end in a notch about six inches from ...

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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.

Full Answer

What is a stimpmeter and how is it used?

Aug 29, 2003 · A Stimpmeter is a simple tool used to measure the speed of putting greens: how easily a golf ball rolls across the surface of the green. The Stimpmeter is a very low-tech device, essentially just a small metal ramp that is angled down to a flat part of a putting green.

What is a stimpmeter and how does it work?

The Stimpmeter is a simple, accurate device to measure green speed. It has proven to be an invaluable asset to the game of golf, both for daily play and championship preparations, and a helpful management tool for the golf course superintendent, but it …

What are typical PGA Tour green speeds?

Feb 04, 2021 · A Stimpmeter is a simple device used to measure the speed of a putting green. It is a three-foot (36 inches) long extruded aluminum bar with a V-shaped groove extending its entire length. At one end of the bar is a little notch for placing the ball, positioned approximately 30 inches from the end that rests on the ground.

How to measure green speed?

Jan 06, 2022 · If you’ve ever watched professional golf and heard its commentary, you must’ve come across a word that sounded too scientific; a stimpmeter. However, upon some research, we realized it’s much simpler than it looks and sounds. In very basic words, it is a device used to measure the speed of the green.

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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.Feb 4, 2021

What is 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.

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. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12.

What is the average green speed on the PGA Tour?

about 11 orThe 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.Apr 25, 2021

How do you read a Stimpmeter?

1:445:04Stimpmeter - how to measure green speed. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen you lift it up to 22 degrees the ball will roll off and the gravity takes over you'd roll theMoreWhen you lift it up to 22 degrees the ball will roll off and the gravity takes over you'd roll the ball down three times and it's where the ball.

How do you make a golf Stimpmeter?

A "USGA" approved stimpmeter is a 36" aluminum bar with a groove to hold the ball. 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)....How to build your own Stimpmeter.Cutting HeightStimpmeter reading.148.129.10101 more row

What is a fast green in golf?

When golfers talk about how fast the greens are or the speed of the greens, they are referring to how easily the golf ball rolls across the green and, therefore, how hard they have to putt the ball to reach the hole.Jan 1, 2019

What makes a golf green fast?

Resiliency, uniformity, smoothness, and firmness contribute to overall green speed. Resiliency is the capacity of the turf to absorb shock and affects the ability of a putting green to hold a properly struck golf shot. Uniformity implies that each green on a course and all areas of each green putt the same.Nov 10, 2016

What course has the fastest greens?

Recommendations. 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).

Can greens be too fast?

But, if it's almost impossible to get the ball close to hole from anywhere but directly below it, you know the greens are too fast. If you are putting reasonbly straight downhill (break makes judging the speed harder) and you can't get the ball to stop within 6 to 8 feet I think they're getting too fast for the slope.

What Is a Stimpmeter?

A Stimpmeter is a simple device used to measure the speed of a putting green. It is a three-foot (36 inches) long extruded aluminum bar with a V-shaped groove extending its entire length. At one end of the bar is a little notch for placing the ball, positioned approximately 30 inches from the end that rests on the ground.

How Does a Stimpmeter Work?

You start by finding a flat piece of green and placing a golf ball in the notch of the Stimpmeter. Then, keeping the other end to the ground, you slowly raise the ball end.

What is Considered a Good 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.

How Fast are the Masters Greens?

At Augusta National, the beautiful, uniquely challenging home of the Masters, things work a little differently. Quite simply, Augusta National authorities don’t publish or reveal Stimpmeter readings, and they don’t let anyone take a formal stimp reading.

Who Invented the Stimpmeter?

The Stimpmeter is named after Edward S. Stimpson, an accomplished amateur golfer who created a simple but lasting legacy of green speed reading.

Final Thoughts

Other than that, the design of the stimpmeter remains more or less unchanged. Thanks to Stimpson, ground keepers everywhere have a reliable way of monitoring green speeds, allowing a more regulated and balanced playing field across the world of golf.

History of Stimpmeter

According to Wikipedia, the original stimpmeter was designed by a golfer named Edward Stimpson SR. in 1935. He was a Massachusetts state amateur golfer and former Harvard team captain who first got the idea to measure green speed after watching the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

How a Stimpmeter Works

A stimpmeter helps measure the speed of the greens, but only if used correctly. First, you need to find a pretty flat part of the green. Obviously, if it’s significantly downhill or uphill, it will affect the reading, so finding a flat part of the putting surface is required.

How to Make a Stimpmeter

Stimpeters aren’t a wildly popular selling item as most people don’t have their own at home putting greens. While you can get some awesome indoor putting greens, you can’t change the turf so buying a green reading device like this isn’t usually something you need.

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.

How high does the Stimpmeter go?

The stimp highest readings are usually between 13-15. This is more likely to occur at major championship venues and prestigious events like the Ryder Cup.

What is the average green speed?

The average pace is usually around 9 for the average putting green on most municipal golf courses and 11 or above for PGA Tour events. Golf courses in the United States tend to have faster greens than ones in Europe due to the type of grass and typical weather conditions. Plus, old school championship greens like St.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of stimpmeters and how they are used in the golfing world. Remember, this tool has one main purpose – help superintendents easily read the speed of the greens. This helps them understand their greens better and make adjustments with their maintenance team as needed

What is a stimpmeter?

A stimpmeter is a device that is used to detect the speed of a putting green. The device gets its name from its inventor, a gentleman named Edward Stimpson. Stimpson was a ranked amateur golfer from my home State of Massachusetts.

Who was the golfer who watched Gene Sarazen putt a ball off the green?

Legend has it Mr. Stimpson attended the US Open at Oakmont where he watched Gene Sarazen putt a ball off the green. Mr. Stimpson felt as though the green was far too fast. So he decided he would invent a device to officially calculate the speed of greens.

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