Third annual 'Demo-Day' a Huge Success

A big thank you to everyone who came out to see our demonstration on verticutters and their effect on Stimpmeter readings.
 

Beto explaining how he takes a Stimpmeter reading.

Demo Day this Monday, March 18th

What is this machine doing and why is it making such a mess. Come to the putting green this Monday at 9:00 and find out what a Verticutter, Vertigroomer and Stimpmeter are..  

Getting the Greens Back in Shape

The fungus that was attacking the greens is now a distant memory. Well, almost.  Now it's time to get the Verticutter out of moth balls and start removing all that excess thatch in the greens. Once a week we are verticutting the greens in two directions. We will continue verticutting until we get back to greens that are fast (11' to 12' on the Stimpmeter), smooth, firm and consistant.


Francisco on the  Verticutter

What Is A Stimpmeter Reading?

The Stimpmeter is a simple, accurate device manufactured by the USGA (United States Golf Association) that allows one to make a standard measurement of -- and place a numerical figure on -- the speed of a putting green. It has proven to be an invaluable asset to the game of golf and a helpful   management tool for the golf course superintendent.                                                                       

 The Stimpmeter is an extruded aluminum bar, 36 inches long, with a V-shaped groove extending along its entire length. It has a precisely milled ball-release notch 30" from the tapered end (the end that rests on the ground). The underside of the tapered end is milled away to reduce bounce as a rolling ball makes contact with the green.

The ball-release notch is designed so that a ball will always be released and start to roll when the Stimpmeter is raised to an angle of approximately 20 degrees. This feature ensures that the velocity of the ball will always be the same when it reaches the tapered end.

The ball is put the in the notch and the bar is slowly raised until the ball starts to roll down the groove.

Repeat the same procedure with two more balls, keeping the tapered end on the same spot. After three balls have been rolled, the process is repeated in the opposite direction.  This is done in case there is any slope in the green that may affect the results.

The distance the six balls (Three in each direction) roll from the Stimpmeter is measured. An average of all six is calculated and this distance is called the "Stimpmeter reading".  Stimpmeter readings are always given in feet and inches.