Ever had that feeling where one day your putts race past the hole and the next they stop halfway there, even on the same course? Understanding a golf green's speed is a massive part of consistent putting, and the official tool for measuring it is called a Stimpmeter. This article will walk you through exactly what stimping a green means, how the professionals do it step-by-step, and what those slick, scientific numbers actually mean for your game.
In simple terms, "stimping" is the process of measuring the speed of a putting green. It's not a guess or a feeling, it’s a standardized measurement that produces a single number, like "10.5," which tells you how fast the green is rolling. The name comes from the tool used for the measurement: the Stimpmeter.
Imagine a small, 36-inch aluminum ramp with a V-shaped groove running down its length. That's a Stimpmeter. By rolling balls off this ramp in a controlled way, course superintendents can get a consistent, objective reading of green speed. They use this data to ensure all 18 greens on a course have a similar pace and to prepare the course for daily play or tournaments.
The result of a stimp test isn't a speed like miles per hour, it’s a distance expressed in feet and inches. For example, a "stimp of 11" means a ball rolling off the Stimpmeter on a flat section of the green travels an average of 11 feet. The higher the number, the faster the green.
The beauty of the Stimpmeter is its brilliant simplicity. Invented in the 1930s by an avid amateur golfer named Edward Stimpson, the modern USGA-approved Stimpmeter has one job: to release a golf ball at the exact same speed every single time.
Here’s how it works:
This design removes human error. You aren't "pushing" the ball, you're just lifting the device until gravity takes over. The ball leaves the ramp at a precise, repeatable velocity, making the resulting measurement reliable and scientific.
While only select personnel are usually allowed to perform this on a course, understanding the process is an incredible insight into course management. It’s also something you could replicate on a practice green if you have permission and a Stimpmeter. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the official four-step method.
This is the most important preparatory step. You can't just drop a Stimpmeter anywhere. You need to find a section of the green of at least 10x10 feet that appears to be as flat as possible. This spot shouldn’t have any obvious undulations or severe slopes. The idea is to measure the pure speed of the grass surface, not how the topography moves the ball. Superintendents will often use a "level-in-clinometer" to confirm they have a spot with less than a 1% grade.
Once you’ve found your flat area, you'll perform the first part of the test.
This is the genius part of the methodology, as it accounts for any subtle, imperceptible slope in the turf.
With both sets of balls rolled and marked, it’s time for the a little math.
Let's use our example:
So, the Stimpmeter reading for this green is 11.1.
A "stimp" number is meaningless without context. What might feel lightning-fast to one person is average to another. Here's a general guide for what the numbers mean for 18-hole courses:
So, how does a superintendent get a green from a stimp of 9 on Monday to a 12 for the club championship on Saturday? It’s a delicate science involving several factors:
Understanding how a green is stimped gives you incredible insight into what makes putts break and roll the way they do. It reveals that green speed isn’t an accident, it’s the result of precise, deliberate practices of agronomy by course superintendents.
While you likely won't be carrying a Stimpmeter during your pre-round warmup, playing with an awareness of these principles can make a huge difference. Adapting your game to these changing conditions is what separates good scores from great ones. That's a big reason why we created Caddie AI. Our on-demand coach helps you factor in real-time information, including course conditions like green speed, by giving you personalized strategy right when you need it. Whether it's picking a landing spot on a slick green or getting advice for controlling distance on a slower surface, our app provides the simple, smart guidance to help you manage your game confidently, no matter what the Stimpmeter says.
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