Spoff
Tour Rookie
I know a stimp meter is used to gauge the speed of a green. But how?
And if a green is running at 8 on the stimp meter, what does 8 mean?
And if a green is running at 8 on the stimp meter, what does 8 mean?
Stimp Meter How Does It Work
- Thread starter Spoff
- Start date
Canfordhacker
Q-School Graduate
My understanding is it's just a piece of wood that you roll balls down using a specific angle. You measure how far they roll - the further they roll (averaged out in different directions to take account of the slopes)the faster the green. The numbers are arbitrarily assigned to the speeds in the same way most measuring scales are.
Simplistically.
And Happy Birthday!
Simplistically.
And Happy Birthday!
bobmac
Major Champion
Canford, you're very close.
Its an aluminium "V" shaped rod, 3 feet long with a notch at one end.
You place the rod flat on the ground, place the ball in the notch and slowly lift the end nearest the ball. When the ball rolls out of the notch, down the rod and onto the green, it will roll different distances according to how fast the greens are. If it rolls 6 feet, the stimp reading is 6. The average reading is taken from opposite directions to give you an average stimp reading.The US Open runs about 12-14
Invented by Edward Stimpson btw
Its an aluminium "V" shaped rod, 3 feet long with a notch at one end.
You place the rod flat on the ground, place the ball in the notch and slowly lift the end nearest the ball. When the ball rolls out of the notch, down the rod and onto the green, it will roll different distances according to how fast the greens are. If it rolls 6 feet, the stimp reading is 6. The average reading is taken from opposite directions to give you an average stimp reading.The US Open runs about 12-14
Invented by Edward Stimpson btw
TommyMorris
Medal Winner
A stimp meter is a device invented to measure green speeds.
It is basically a ramp with a notch at one end (where the ball is put). One end of the ramp is then lifted to a certain angle, where the ball leaves the notch and runs down the slope (the same distance for all stimpmeters). After it leaves the ramp, the ball runs a certain distance which is measured in feet. This is repeated 3 times for one direction, then 3 times in the exact opposite direction. The distance travelled each time from the ramp is averaged and you then get a number. A green running at 8 means the balls distances from the ramp have averaged out at 8 feet.
It was initially conceived as a consistency tool, ie to measure how one green performs against another, so that the course manager can develop maintenance strategies to make 18 greens run at nearly the same speed. Studies have shown that it is nearly impossible to detect speed variances of about half a foot. Typical speeds for members courses are in the region of 7.5 to 10 feet. Tournament golf require speeds of 10.5 and beyond (The open championship is played on greens running about 10.5 feet) The linoleum greens at Augusta run at 11.5 to 12.5. The flattish greens at Oakmont can be 13.5 feet plus for their US open.
I use it as a tool to measure putting speeds in relation to the minimum standard required. I dont like my links greens running at under 8.5 feet so I will measure the only flat area I have to make sure my greens are running over this figure. I cannot have my greens running to fast either. Speeds over 10ft on my undulating, exposed greens can quickly get unplayable.
To see one in action (on the fastest green in the world) go here greenkeeping blog and scroll down to the Dec 18th entry.
Hope this gives an insight.
Tommy.
It is basically a ramp with a notch at one end (where the ball is put). One end of the ramp is then lifted to a certain angle, where the ball leaves the notch and runs down the slope (the same distance for all stimpmeters). After it leaves the ramp, the ball runs a certain distance which is measured in feet. This is repeated 3 times for one direction, then 3 times in the exact opposite direction. The distance travelled each time from the ramp is averaged and you then get a number. A green running at 8 means the balls distances from the ramp have averaged out at 8 feet.
It was initially conceived as a consistency tool, ie to measure how one green performs against another, so that the course manager can develop maintenance strategies to make 18 greens run at nearly the same speed. Studies have shown that it is nearly impossible to detect speed variances of about half a foot. Typical speeds for members courses are in the region of 7.5 to 10 feet. Tournament golf require speeds of 10.5 and beyond (The open championship is played on greens running about 10.5 feet) The linoleum greens at Augusta run at 11.5 to 12.5. The flattish greens at Oakmont can be 13.5 feet plus for their US open.
I use it as a tool to measure putting speeds in relation to the minimum standard required. I dont like my links greens running at under 8.5 feet so I will measure the only flat area I have to make sure my greens are running over this figure. I cannot have my greens running to fast either. Speeds over 10ft on my undulating, exposed greens can quickly get unplayable.
To see one in action (on the fastest green in the world) go here greenkeeping blog and scroll down to the Dec 18th entry.
Hope this gives an insight.
Tommy.
Canfordhacker
Q-School Graduate
Tommy - great blog, and a real insight into just how much work goes on at a golf course. I can tell you are in Scotland, but what's the course? It looks great even at this time of year!
golfcitydweller
Q-School Graduate
don`t think tommy would mind !! the course is the `jubilee , st.andrews ..and it`s a great track ..not as difficult as it used to be ..they had the `amateur champ` on it a couple of years ago and they cut down a lot of the rough and they never let it grow back ..when the course was re-vamped a few years ago ,it was brutal average css for our comps on it was 76!! it`s always got the best greens in st.andrews..well done to all the team that works on it !!!
bobmac
Major Champion
City dweller, where abouts in Fife are you?
I learned my golf at Balwearie GC in Kirkcaldy
I learned my golf at Balwearie GC in Kirkcaldy
007chappie
Club Champion
Thanks for that gents, always wondered myself but never asked!! Thought it would be a little more high-tech than that though....
Tommy Morris are those 2 Latvian/may have been Estonian sister working with you again this year??My word what a wonderful pair....of sisters they were doing a great job filling in the divots on the courses....mmmmm filling in divots.....
CliveW
Tour Winner
Spoff
Tour Rookie
Thanks all, and for the birthday wishes Canfordhacker!
Ken_A
Tour Rookie
I always wondered about this, thanks for the post - PS great blog to, supose I have to catch up on my work now .
.
TommyMorris
Medal Winner
Guys,
Thanks for the comments about the course and the blog. We try our best.....In regards to the Estonian lovelies.....we have a sandpatching team consisting of 7 East European ladies. They came across two years ago, could not speak much English, and had no experience of golf, or golf courses. They are now an integral part of the team and are experienced in tractor driving and a few other jobs on the links. I take my hat off to these girls, because to sandpatch day in and day out for 6 days a week, is quite frankly soul destroying.
They have however, caught the eye of quite a few of the young lads here.....and by the sounds of it some golfers
Tommy.
Thanks for the comments about the course and the blog. We try our best.....In regards to the Estonian lovelies.....we have a sandpatching team consisting of 7 East European ladies. They came across two years ago, could not speak much English, and had no experience of golf, or golf courses. They are now an integral part of the team and are experienced in tractor driving and a few other jobs on the links. I take my hat off to these girls, because to sandpatch day in and day out for 6 days a week, is quite frankly soul destroying.
They have however, caught the eye of quite a few of the young lads here.....and by the sounds of it some golfers
Tommy.
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
I never that. Useful stuff to know. I learn something new every day.
