Knowing how fast the greens are rolling is the first step toward draining more putts, period. While the official USGA Stimpmeter is a precisely engineered a tool, you can build an incredibly effective version right in your garage that gives you the data you need to conquer your home course. This guide will walk you through exactly how to make your own Stimpmeter, the simple steps to use it correctly, and how to translate those results into a feel for speed that gives you unwavering confidence over the ball.
Before we start Cuttin wood, let's get on the same page. A Stimpmeter is essentially a small, angled ramp used to measure the speed and uniformity of putting greens. It's not some high-tech laser device, it’s a brilliant piece of simple engineering invented by a golfer named Edward Stimpson back in the 1930s. He wanted a way to standardize green speeds to ensure they were consistent across a golf course.
The device he created works by rolling a ball down the ramp from a set height and angle. The distance the ball travels on the green an average of six separate rolls is measured, and the result is called the "Stimp" reading. This number gives superintendents, and now you, an objective measurement of green speed. For us golfers, that’s powerful information. It takes the guesswork out of pace control and replaces it with real, actionable data.
You might be thinking, "This sounds cool, but is it really worth the effort?" Absolutely. Having your own DIY Stimpmeter is one of the most effective training aids you can own, and it elevates your putting practice from just guessing to knowing.
Here’s how it will change your perspective:
Making a quality Stimpmeter doesn't require a professional workshop. You can find everything you need with a quick trip to the hardware store. The design is simple, elegant, and effective.
Here’s your shopping list:
Alright, let's get to building. This project should take less than 30 minutes, but take your time and enjoy the process. You're creating a tool that will serve your golf game for years to come.
First, ensure your material is exactly 36 inches long. If you're using wood, give the top surface and the groove area a light sanding. You want a perfectly smooth runway for the ball, free of any imperfections that could affect the roll. With aluminum, simply ensure it's clean and free of any stickers or residue.
This is the most important measurement of the build. An official USGA Stimpmeter is 36 inches long, but the ball actually begins its roll from a notch located 30 inches from the bottom end of the device. This specific release point is what matters.
Take your measuring tape and, from the end that will rest on the ground, measure up exactly 30 inches. Use your marker to make a clear dot or line at this spot. Double-check your measurement!
The Stimpmeter works because the ball doesn't roll until the ramp reaches a specific angle of about 20 degrees. It releases under its own inertia, not because you let go of it. This is controlled by a shallow notch where the ball rests.
Take your drill and select a bit that's slightly smaller than a golf ball. A 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch bit often works well. Place the tip of the bit on your 30-inch mark and very carefully and slowly, drill a shallow hole or divot. You don't want to drill through the material! You just want a small indentation for the ball to sit comfortably in while you're lifting the ramp. For a wood ramp, this should be very easy, and for an aluminum ramp, a light touch will go a long way.
You’re done! Your DIY Stimpmeter is ready for testing. For a wood model, you might consider a thin coat of clear polyurethane varnish to protect it from moisture and warping, but it’s not strictly necessary. The beauty of the Stimpmeter is in its simplicity.
Using the Stimpmeter is just as straightforward as building it. Follow these steps on the practice green to get an accurate reading.
Find a spot on the putting green that appears to be as flat as possible. A 10 to 15-foot area is perfect. This will be your testing ground. Stay away from any dramatic contours just for this process.
Set a tee in the ground to mark your starting point. Place the bottom end of your Stimpmeter right next to the tee, pointing in one direction (e.g., North). Now, place a golf ball in the shallow notch you created at the 30-inch mark.
Here’s the critical part: using your finger to hold the ball in a place, slowly and steadily lift the top end of the ramp. Do not push, flick, or add any any forward momentum to the ball. The design does the work. As you lift, the ramp will reach an angle where the force of gravity overcomes the friction of the shallow notch, and the ball will release and start rolling all on its own. Do this with three separate gold balls, allowing all of them to come to a complete stop.
Place tees next to where each of the three balls stopped. Now, use your measuring tape to gather the distances from the starting tee to each of the three ending tees. Let's say you get rolls of 10 feet, 10.5 feet, and 9.5 feet.
Now, you need to account for any almost invisible slope, so turn 180° and repeat the entire process from where your golf balls stopped and roll three new balls back towards your original starting position by following the exact same procedure that was previously laid out. Again, measure these three distances.
This sounds more complex than it is. What we'll do is first average the rolls going one-way and get a single number. And then we'll average the rolls going in the other direction. Once we've got one single number going one way and a signal number going the other will just split the difference to get our magic number. Don't worry, here's a simple example:
In this example, the Stimp reading for that greet is 10.4 as it's customary to ignore the numbers after the first decimal. Congratulations, you just did exactly what the pros a do to gain understanding and a feel for the break of the green.
Now you've got a number, but what does it mean? Here's an easy reference guide that will make the difference between what's considered fast, what's considered slow and what's in between:
The number gives you a factual starting point. Knowing the greens are running at an 11 tells you that delicate, downhill putts require more respect, while uphill putts will need a more aggressive stroke. It quantifies the "feel" we're all searching for.
Building and using a DIY Stimpmeter is a fantastic way to bring an element of professional analytics to your own game. It strips away the mysteries of green speed and provides you with the clear, straightforward data you need to be a much more confident and consistent putter. Give it a try, it will for sure give you an entirely new feel on the greens!
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