Are fast greens good or bad for golf?
Fast greens suit a minority of top level golfers who have the skill to leave their ball under the hole. To the majority of week-end golfers they are more of a kill joy and source of frustration.
Is the golf ball going too far on Greens?
There is also a belief that overly fast greens is another indication of the golf ball going too far, as insanely demanding putting surfaces is one last defense against 350-yard tee balls. Hurdzan wonders if a slower green might actually end up challenging the best players even more.
What affects green speed in golf?
The second major component affecting green speed is smoothness. A smooth surface generates less friction, and thus, causes less resistance to ball roll. On a tough green, the friction created quickly reduces speed. Although the Stimpmeter is a much maligned device, used properly it can be a helpful tool in keeping green speeds constant.
Are modern greens grasses meant to be fast or slow?
In many cases, modern greens grasses aren’t meant to produce anything but fast surfaces.
Can greens be too fast?
Trying to make greens faster than they should be leads to higher maintenance costs, turf damage, lost hole locations, and rounds of golf that are slower and less enjoyable. Sacrificing other aspects of putting green quality in the pursuit of speed just doesn't make sense.
What does it mean if greens are fast?
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.
How do you deal with greens fast?
Learn from them, and do these things to improve your own putting on fast greens.Always warm up before you play. ... Keep your stroke short. ... Putt to a target short of the cup. ... Even size, rhythm and grip pressure. ... Choke down on your putter. ... Increase the amount of break you play.
What makes greens fast in golf?
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.
How do you slow down a turf putting green?
0:582:37Make it bigger. This is this is course you can see that. You can see that I'm also actually removingMoreMake it bigger. This is this is course you can see that. You can see that I'm also actually removing some of the grain.
Do fast greens break more or less?
Fast greens break more than slow greens “There's more than one way to get it close to the hole, and remember that putting it close—while giving your putt a chance to go in—is your main priority.”
What makes greens fast or slow?
Greens can become firmer. Low humidity, hot temperatures, sunshine and wind can make greens firmer as the day progresses. This could make it more challenging to control shots into a green. Also, although not always the case, golfers often perceive firmer greens to be faster.
What is a normal green speed?
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.
Does rain make golf greens faster or slower?
Rain makes greens slower than normal as the moisture on the ground and the ball slows it down. In instances of rain over a number of days greenkeepers will likely not be able to mow greens as normal meaning the grass will be longer and even slower. Putts on wet greens also take less break.
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.
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 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 fast greens?
Fast greens suit a minority of top level golfers who have the skill to leave their ball under the hole. To the majority of week-end golfers they are more of a kill joy and source of frustration. back to top. Image Source. 1 = Adapted from Drawing by lblair animation.
What is the biggest challenge of playing firm greens?
According to Johnny Miller the biggest challenge of playing firm, super-fast greens isn't just putting, but chipping and pitching to them. The ability to control speed, trajectory and spin from different lies has never been more difficult.
Is it a fact that t he faster the greens, the more the average golfer struggles to
It is a known fact that t he faster the greens, the more the average golfer struggles to manage both direction and distance. Three and even four putting becomes a reality.
Do you need fast greens to putt better?
Fast greens are not what every golfer needs. (or should ask for) in order to putt better. IN SHORT. Fast Greens are not the answer to better putting. In fact, the faster the green speed, the more difficult it becomes for the average golfer to putt well.
What factors affect putting green speed?
Mowing height and frequency, grass type, fertilization, irrigation, thatch management, grooming, and rolling can all contribute to putting green speed. The effects of many of these practices are interrelated and are sometimes dependent on other external features. In addition, some practices can effect the turf stand.
How does mowing affect green speed?
Frequent mowing promotes high shoot density and vertical leaf growth that results in a smooth putting surface. Research has shown that changes in mowing frequency can result in a temporary loss of green speed. Interruptions in mowing frequency are usually caused by wet conditions that limit mowing in poorly drained areas. Thus, adequate drainage can indirectly influence green speed by minimizing disruptions in mowing frequencies.
How does turfgrass management affect ball roll?
Many turfgrass management practices influence the uniformity, smoothness, firmness, and resiliency of a putting green. The premise of this report is the effect of management on ball roll. Management practices are influenced by changes in temperature, humidity, light, and biotic stresses. In turn, all these factors can influence ball roll.
What is thatch in putting greens?
A slight amount of thatch provides a "mat" that improves the wear tolerance of a putting green, and thus, is desirable.
Why is a smooth surface better than a hard green?
A smooth surface generates less friction, and thus, causes less resistance to ball roll. On a tough green, the friction created quickly reduces speed. Although the Stimpmeter is a much maligned device, used properly it can be a helpful tool in keeping green speeds constant. Firmness refers to the hardness of the green.
What is grain control?
Grain Control. Grain refers to a condition when turfgrass plants lie horizontally in one or more directions. The result is a nonuniform green with nonuniform putting speed. Putting "with the grain" results in significantly longer ball rolls than putting "against the grain.".
How does double cutting affect ball speed?
Multiple mowings per day, such as double cutting, can significantly increase ball speed (Fig. 2). Double cutting normally consists of mowing the green in one direction, then mowing again perpendicular to the first mowing. In our studies, double cutting usually increased green speed compared to a single cutting.
Why should green speeds not be used for course comparisons?
Stephen Szurlej. “Green speeds should have never been used for course comparisons because speed is never inseparable from undulation ,” he said. “Every golf course should be shooting for its own number.”. What’s most telling is how much has changed in the 40 years since the Stimpmeter has been actively used, says Nikolai.
Why are my greens getting puffy?
According to Golf Digest architecture editor Ron Whitten, their relatively high concentration of grass blades per square foot means if they’re not cut very low, it “causes the tops of the blades to spread [much like a phone book placed on its spine, so that the greens become ‘puffy’ or ‘grainy.’.
Is 6.5 a slow green?
He says that 6.5 average from a generation ago isn’t merely slower than the current standard, “it’s hard to make a green that slow today and still have it look like a green.”.
Who is the Dr of Green Speed?
Perhaps no one on earth has studied the ways green speeds can now be maintained as much as Thomas Nikolai. Known as the Dr. of Green Speed, Nikolai is a Ph.D. and turfgrass academic specialist at Michigan State, and has spoken around the world on the topic.
Is it easier to groom putting surfaces?
The larger point is given prudent maintenance practices, it’s become easier to groom faster putting surfaces—within reason and for a specific time period, says Bill Maynard, president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the director of golf course maintenance operations at St. Albans (Mo.) Country Club.
Does Hurdzan's speed change golf course?
But Hurdzan is concerned the speeds have already changed golf course architecture for the worse by causing green slopes to be soft ened. “Many of us think we’ve taken away our ability to define hole locations or target areas within greens because of this mania for fast greens,” he said.
How to improve putting on fast greens?
Learn from them, and do these things to improve your own putting on fast greens. 1. Always warm up before you play.
How to putt on the greens?
With a bit of understanding, practice techniques and attention, you can certainly putt great on even the fastest of greens. 1. Always warm up before you play 2. Keep your stroke short 3. Putt to a target short of the cup 4. Even size, rhythm and grip pressure 5. Choke down on your putter 6.
How much backstroke do you need for a green putt?
When greens are extremely fast you need to be willing to shorten your backstroke. On short putts, I will tell my students they only need 1-to-2 inches of backstroke, and they often seem shocked. You want your stroke to be small enough that it isn’t generating a lot of speed, but always in continuous motion.
How far should I putt for a warm up?
A warm up plan I suggest is to start with a 15-20 foot , relatively flat putt. Roll several balls toward the hole to try to get a sense for the speed of the greens. Stay at this distance until you feel you have a sense for distance control and how the greens are rolling.
Can you roll past the cup on downhill putts?
Giving the ball enough speed to roll past the cup on uphill and flat putts is fine, but NOT on downhill putts, especially when the greens are crazy fast. Picking a target short of the actual cup can help to convince you to take a smaller, slower stroke. You may only need to feel that you roll the ball three feet on a 30 foot putt ...
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Sensible Speed
How fast?
- The question is how fast is fast enough? There are two conflicting issues when it comes to answering this question. 1. Golfers want bragging rights in a war of speed with other golf courses. 2. Green staff want slower speeds that reflect more accurately the biological limits of the turf. Green speed as a measurement on the Stimpmeter is linked to factors such as design contours, …
Maintenance and Hole Locations
- Greens are the most costly component in maintenance on a cost per square foot basis. If they are over-stressed by removing too much leaf they become prone to disease unless they are intensely maintained. Many greens are built with undulations to make them more interesting. Faster speeds make it impossible to use some hole locations and therefore less interesting to play.
Against Fast Greens
- Now for the Main Argumentwhy you should argue against speeding up the greens in excess of nine and a half on the Stimpmeter. Unless you have a single digit handicap and play more than once a week, a super-fast surface will crucify your game. According to Johnny Millerthe biggest challenge of playing firm, super-fast greens isn't just putting, but chipping and pitching to them. …
More 3-Putts
- It is a known fact that the faster the greens, the more the average golfer strugglesto manage both direction and distance. Three and even four putting becomes a reality. Over nine and a half on the Stimpmeter each putt becomes a harrowing experience as the ball continues to slip by, leaving another tricky come-back putt. And surprise, surprise with...