Green speed is measured today in the same fashion as yesteryear; using a ‘stimpmeter.’ This is a 3 foot long grooved and notched board that rolls a golf ball in a consistent manner, applying the same force each time. The distance the ball rolls on a flat surface is measured and that is the green speed reading (in feet). The readings on sloped surfaces increase dramatically.
Golf architects almost never design a flat green (for the simple reason of drainage). Even a flat green like our par 5 9th hole has slope to help remove surface water.The greens at Bowling Green Golf Club have an overall pitch of 2 to 3% and include many tiers, humps and slopes. Our goal is to maintain the speed throughout the season at a consistent, playable, enjoyable level.
In the Fall season as the turf’s growth rate slows, the speed of the greens naturally increases. Also, as we get closer to our annual “Superintendent’s Revenge” weekend (Oct. 10 thru12), we alter our techniques slightly to speed up the greens. Our green speed today (10/8/09) measured 10.75 ft. This is slightly less than the speed of an average PGA Tour stop.
The real fun is in dealing with our tiers (such as on 3, 4 or 18 green), humps and bumps (such as on 5 and 10 green) and some plain old slopes (such as on 7, 12, 16 and 17 green). And, across the back of that flat 9th green, the stimpmeter reading was 25ft!
Good luck and have fun.
