| If you are a beginner golfer, there is a good | | | | For example, you may score fairly well on a local |
| chance you have never heard the terms stimp | | | | course with an average rating whereas you may |
| meter or stimp rating. In fact, the occasional | | | | score much lower on a course with a higher stimp |
| golfer who heads out to the course for leisure | | | | rating and, consequently, a faster course. |
| may also not know what a stimp rating is. But, a | | | | Something else to consider in measuring the stimp |
| stimp meter is rather important to the speed of | | | | rating is the turf you are playing on. In the past, |
| a course so it does help to know about it, even if | | | | the difference between the stimp rate between |
| just a little. | | | | artificial turf and natural grass was obvious. |
| Now, if you have played golf for any significant | | | | However, manufactures today are more much |
| length of time, you should have heard | | | | serious about artificial grass. Many have developed |
| experienced golfers mention how a golf green is | | | | a unique "natural bend" feature that moves just |
| "stimping." In short, a stimp meter is a tool used | | | | as real grass. With that in mind, there really should |
| to measure the speed of a golf course. The | | | | be little difference in the stimp meter reading with |
| stimp rating is obtained by rolling a ball down a | | | | the artificial turf today. |
| small ramp (stimp meter) in eight varying | | | | For golfers who prefer to putt at home to get |
| directions. The rating is actually the average | | | | some extra practice time, you can buy an |
| distance the ball rolls after touching the green. | | | | outdoor synthetic turf to use in your backyard. If |
| For example, a stimp rating of ten indicates that, | | | | you know the stimp rating of the next course |
| based on eight separate rolls, the ball rolled an | | | | you will play, you can adjust the putting green's |
| average of ten feet after reaching the green. | | | | rating to that of the anticipated course. Of |
| Most golf courses that are part of the | | | | course, with any purchase, research the product |
| Professional Golfers Association run at a rating | | | | and manufacturer to get a good grasp of the |
| anywhere from 10 to 12. The higher the stimp | | | | pros and cons of the practice green before you |
| rating, the faster the course will be. Most local golf | | | | go out and purchase a particular system. |
| courses maintain an average rating between | | | | If the speed of a course is really not that |
| seven to ten. | | | | important to you, then you probably need to |
| Unless you are playing competitively or alongside | | | | know little, if anything, about the stimp rating at |
| other golfers who play competitively, you | | | | the courses on which you play. However, if |
| probably will care very little about the stimp rating | | | | someone asks you how the golf green is |
| of a course. Regardless, it really is quite important | | | | stimping, you can now impress them with an |
| and can impact your game. Actually, it may | | | | answer! |
| explain why you had a "bad" day on the green. | | | | |