Stimpmeter Explained: What is a Stimpmeter and How Does it Work?
by Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA
If you are like most avid golfers, you enjoy putting on pristine and fast greens. Fast greens are a golfer’s delight but a green superintendent’s nightmare as it is difficult to keep putting greens at a speed we see on television every week on the PGA Tour. The search for better and faster-putting surfaces has led to innovative grasses along with agronomy practices that have made most golf course putting surfaces much better and faster than greens from 50 years ago.
What is the Stimpmeter?
A stimpmeter is a device used by golf course superintendents to measure the speed of the greens. Edward Stimpson created the first stimpmeter in the 1930s primarily out of curiosity. As the Massachusetts Amateur Champion, Stimpson knew a thing or two about the game. He would often wonder if certain greens on the course were faster than others. Knowing this information would be a competitive advantage for sure. He built the stimpmeter to achieve accurate, objective, and valid information on putting green speeds. The device is similar to a yardstick but with a V-shaped groove in the middle to allow the ball to roll down in a consistent and repetitive manner. Stimpson put a notch at the top of the device so that when it was raised to approximately 20 degrees from the putting surface, gravity would pull the ball off the notch and down the V-shaped groove.
How to Use a Stimpmeter
The USGA has outlined a six-step process for using a stimpmeter. You can purchase one from the USGA for about $50, so every golf course should have this simple device for the green superintendent to measure and record the speed of the greens.
Step 1 – Find as flat a surface as possible on the green to be measured.
Step 2 – Identify the starting point of the measurement, which will be the end of the stimpmeter. Use a tee to designate the start point. Slowly raise the stimpmeter until the ball is released from the notch. Repeat with two more balls for a total of three measurements.
Step 3 – All three balls should come to rest within 8 inches of each other. If the distance is greater than 8 inches, then the procedure should be repeated to ensure that the stimpmeter was not artificially lifted past the point of the ball releasing from the notch. Assuming all three balls are within the 8-inch criteria, use a tape measure to identify the distance from the starting point to the average of the three balls. The measurement is in feet and inches.
Step 4 – This is a repeat of Step 2 but in the opposite direction.
Step 5 – This is a repeat of Step 3. If the difference between the two measurements is over 18”, then there is most likely an issue with a subtle slope or excessive grain. It is best to repeat the test on a different portion of the putting green.
Step 6 – Take the average of the two measurements. This is the speed of the greens.
What is a Fast Green?
In 1978, the USGA standardized the stimpmeter and began taking measurements of many golf courses in America. They measured over 2,000 golf courses and found the average stimpmeter reading about 6.5. Only 2% of golf courses in 1978 had green speeds over 9.0. Greens were much slower than what we experience today. As I recall, US Open green speed was a terrifying 10 on the stimpmeter! Here is a chart to help associate the stimpmeter measurement and the green speed.
12.0+ This speed is extremely fast and generally reserved for championship golf events for elite players. We see this speed on the PGA Tour every week. Sometimes the speed exceeds 13.0 at special events like the Masters.
11.0 Highly rated private country clubs may have greens for the membership at this speed which is very fast for even Tiger Woods.
10.0 This speed makes many golfers happy as the ball rolls true and fast but is still manageable for higher handicap golfers. This is my favorite speed for putting.
9.0 Avid golfers at public courses will be pleased to putt on greens at this speed. Greens between 9.0 and 10.0 are great for the majority of experienced golfers.
8.0 Greens are on the slow side at this stimpmeter reading. The ball does not always roll as true due to the longer and thicker blades of grass.
7.0 Today, these are very slow greens, but, as noted above, they are close to the average green speed 50 years ago!
6.0 Too slow for enjoyable golf by most golfers.
What is the Ideal Speed for Your Home Golf Course?
The ideal speed is not PGA Tour speed. There are several factors that influence the best speed for your home golf course. The type of grass is a significant factor as certain strains can withstand lower mowing heights. Another major factor is the amount of slope or undulations that exist on your putting surfaces. The last factor to consider is the weather conditions, specifically the amount of wind that can be anticipated during the day. Playing on super-fast greens of 12.0 stimpmeter reading combined with strong winds and you will have balls blown right of the greens. The Open Championship will be held this summer at the Old Course at St. Andrews, and the best in the world can anticipate green speeds of only 10.5! This is primarily due to the potential heavy winds that could make the golf course unplayable at higher green speeds. If 10.5 is fast enough for world-class professionals, I assume it is good enough for almost everyone else.
When you watch the best in the world compete on television, remember that the golf course has been prepared to test the best in the world for one week. Once the tournament is completed, the green superintendent will breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that green speeds can be slowed back down for the average golfer.
