ABSTRACT
In a study designed to measure the effects of green-speed on putting, inaccuracies in green-speed measurements prevented meaningful conclusions to be drawn. This paper reports on a new study designed to minimize (and eliminate where possible) such green-speed measurement errors. The primary source of errors involved the operation of the universally accepted tool for green-speed measurement, the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter, relative to the interaction of large diameter dimples of modern golf balls with its ball-cradle, 2) the frequent double and triple-tracking of balls rolling on green surfaces, 3) its 20-degree impact-angle of balls into green surfaces (and resulting ball-bounce), and 4) its inability to detect surface slopes. Stimpmeter-measured green-speeds are shown to contain an uncertainty of approximately 12-inches under normal conditions, while an improved apparatus (Pelzmeter) and technique has been developed to measure green-speeds to an approximate three-inch accuracy.
