Stimpmeter

“Johnny, the greens are running at a 10 today!

“What? Why are the greens running and where are they going!?”

We hear references to green speeds virtually every weekend during the telecast of tournaments (tidbit: Speed readings are never disclosed for August National and Oakmont’s are typically running between13-15).

In 1935, Edward S. Stimpson (accomplished golfer and Harvard graduate) invented a device (stimpmeter) to measure green speeds; a simplistic wooden, angled track that releases a golf ball at a consistent velocity, allowing the rollout of a golf ball to be measured in feet. Thus “The greens are running at 10 “feet” today.”

In 1976, Frank Thomas updated the original design by utilizing aluminum versus wood and changing the color to green.
In 2013, a third generation devise was improved by Steven Quintavalla. This version came had a higher engineering tolerance that incorporated a second notch at 14” (as compared to the initial notch at 30”) on the back side of the stimpmeter to calculate a shorter rollout. The 30” (1X) notch is used to measure greens in a 12’ level area while the 14” (2X) notch is used to measure greens in a 6’ level area. The latest version is painted blue.

 

 

Device Design:
Length: 36”
Width: 1.75”
Tapered Grove: 145 degrees/ V Shaped
Ball Support (two points): “.50” apart
Notch/Depression: 30”/14”

Process:
A golf ball is pulled out of the notch/depression as the device is slowly raised to a 20 degree angle allowing the ball to roll down the device and, eventually, come to a stop on the green. This process is repeated a total of three times. Each individual measurement must be within eight inches of the other measurements to qualify as an official rating. Assuming the balls stop within the 8” limit, the average distance between the three ball locations and the base of the stimpmeter is the first reading. A second reading, from the opposite direction, along with the first reading, is averaged to determine the final stimpmeter reading.

Note: Official USGA stimpmeters are not sold to the public.

Readings:
USGA Normal Readings:
Slow: 4.5’
Mid: 6.5’
Fast: 8.5’
USGA US Open Readings:
Slow: 6.5”
Mid: 8.5”
Fast: 10.5’

If you want a good chuckle, and learn more about the “stimpmeter”, please watch David Owen’s/Golf Digest video, which you can find HERE.

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