THE SPEED OF THE GREEN: HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE GAME?

The speed of a green is the distance that a golf ball rolls after sliding through a device called a Stimpmeter. This instrument, is a bar with a slot and a length of 90 centimeters that is used to roll a ball on a green at a constant and reproducible initial speed. The procedure for its use is regulated by the USGA (United States Golf Association) and consists of several steps:

1º. Choose a green area with a reasonably flat surface.

2º. Hold the Stimpmeter on the side that has made the groove, put the ball in it and slowly rise until the ball comes off and rolls in the direction you have chosen. This procedure is repeated with the other two balls. The launch area is marked with a tee.

3º. A second "tee" is inserted in the average distance of the three balls. Therefore, the distance between the two "tees" would be the measure of the first series.

4º. Step 2 is repeated, using the second "tee" as the starting point and the first "tee" as the target. That is, you have to roll a series of three balls along the same line, but in the opposite direction.

5º. Repeat step 3, establishing the average distance of the second set of balls.

6º. The distance of the first and second series is measured and the average is calculated. This final measure is what we record as the speed of the green.

The speed of a green is measured in Feet and, according to the USGA, the different speed categories of the Greenes for competitions is the following:

Greater than 9.5 feet (2.89 m): Fast Greens

Between 8.5 - 9.5 feet (2.59-2.89 m): Medium Greens 

Less than 8.5 feet (2.59 m): Slow Greens

"The faster the speed of the greens, the slower the pace of the game."

In the study by Parker Anderson of the University of Minnesota, it is about how the speed of the greens affects the time it takes to play, the player's experience and the impact on the maintenance of the course.

Within the keys of a golf course in its operation, is the increase in hours of exit to be able to sell and this is achieved among many other aspects in which the game is much faster.

Do you know what it takes to have very fast greens?

-Minor health of the green.

-Upper maintenance costs.

-Increase game time.

Having a greens to 12 feet in the stimpmeter, frustrates the amateur golf player.

Obviously the player's experience worsens considerably, not because of the fast greens but because of the playing time.