should you ask the golf course pro what the latest stimpmeter reading is

by Dr. Wilber Lockman 5 min read

How is the Stimpmeter measured on a golf course?

Stimpmeter Readings on American golf courses range from 7 feet to 12 feet, depending on many factors including a green's slope, contour, size, grass, weather, etc. Experience has taught us that trying to keep the speed above 10 feet on a consistent basis usually causes turf …

Can the Stimpmeter be used to compare courses?

A device called the Stimpmeter made its official debut into golf in 1936, but began its official use by the USGA in 1978. It has been an invaluable tool to superintendents, but what do golfers really know about the Stimpmeter?

What is a stimp rating in golf?

Measure the distance between the ball's stopping point and the end of the Stimpmeter, then repeat the procedure twice more for accuracy. The measurement, in feet and inches, is the Stimpmeter reading. For example, 10'6”. For comparison's sake, the greens on a typical public golf course “Stimp” at about 8 – 8.5”.

Is green reading the most important skill in golf?

Nov 06, 2014 · You go around bragging about the latest double-digit Stimpmeter reading, telling everybody about that time the pro from the club next door racked up six four-putts, how you’ve seen guys knock 2-footers clear off the green. I’ve got news for you, buddy – you haven’t seen tough until you’ve putted the greens at Oakmont. I’m telling ...

What is considered 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.

What is the average green speed on the PGA Tour?

about 11 or aboveThe 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

What is the average 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. 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

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 does a Stimpmeter look like?

The Stimpmeter is an extruded aluminum bar, 36 inches long, with a V-shaped groove on each side that extends along its entire length. It has two precisely milled ball-release notches, one on each side of the bar.

What is considered a fast green in golf?

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.Jan 1, 2019

How high does the Stimpmeter go?

RecommendationsSpeedLengthSlow8 feet (2.4 m)Medium10 feet (3.0 m)Fast12 feet (3.7 m)

What does simp mean in golf?

0:074:00What is a Stimpmeter? | Golf Digest - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn 1935 Edward Stimpson invented an easy way to measure green speed the stimpmeter.MoreIn 1935 Edward Stimpson invented an easy way to measure green speed the stimpmeter.

How do you make a 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

How often do golf courses aerate?

one to three times a yearThis 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.Sep 12, 2018

What is the average green speed on the PGA Tour?

A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12.

What is the stimp rating of green?

The stimp rating of green is given in the form of a number, which can be a single digit or reach into the lower teens. The key concept is this: 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.

When was the stimpmeter invented?

In general, stimp ratings 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.

Who is Brent Kelley?

Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines. Brent Kelley. Updated 01/01/19. Scott Halleran/Getty Images.

What is a stimpmeter?

Updated April 09, 2018. 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.

Who invented the stimpmeter?

That is, its name comes from the name of its inventor. The inventor of the Stimpmeter was Edward S. Stimpson. Stimpson was an accomplished amateur golfer; he won the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 1935. And that was the same year Stimpson invented the simple tool for determining green speeds that bear his name.

How to start a golf game?

To start, take your putter and three golf balls from the bag. Find a long stretch of open green and hit some long putts from one side of the green to the other. It is typical for most golfers to start out with short putts, but you will get far more benefit from rolling long putts at this point.

What is a stimpmeter?

It's called a Stimpmeter. It's an ingeniously simple device – basically, a notched, V-shaped metal rail. The USGA sells its official Stimpmeter only to golf course superintendents or managers, so you'll have to obtain one through other means (such as an online auction site or retailer).

How to determine green speed?

To come to a final determination on green speed, add up these numbers and divide by six. This number, stated in feet, is the speed of the green according to the Stimpmeter. You will often hear golfers refer to green speeds by just stating a single number, such as when somebody says the greens are 'running at a 10'.

When was the Stimpmeter invented?

The Stimpmeter is a piece of golf maintenance equipment that was developed in 1935 by a man named Edward Stimpson. The device is extremely simple, and it has a very simple job to do. Basically, up until 1935, there was no way to accurately measure the speed of the greens on a golf course.