News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Rob Marshall

  • Karma: +0/-0
Posting greens speeds
« on: June 13, 2023, 01:11:17 PM »
Could it ever be a good idea to post greens speeds on a sign at the first tee? Our greens committee was dead against it and the new sign for pin location and has a spot on it for green speeds. Supper and our committee are not happy. IMO it can only lead to problems. Any thoughts?
If life gives you limes, make margaritas.” Jimmy Buffett

Craig Sweet

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2023, 10:38:31 PM »
Why post green speeds at all? Does it matter if they are 11 or 11.5?  What matters is consistency. 


If your club is posting green speeds it is because a handful of members want to brag about how fast their greens are.


Matt Schoolfield

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2023, 10:53:59 PM »
It’s marketing for folks who see Augusta-fication of course conditions as the only think that matters. These are the same folks that called the C&C changes at Pinehurst #2 ugly.


Gotta make money, and it’s a huge demo.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2023, 10:56:12 PM by Matt Schoolfield »

Charlie Goerges

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2023, 11:03:46 PM »
I feel like the “guarantee fairy” speech from Tommy Boy would be apropos.


Yes it seems like a bad idea.
Severally on the occasion of everything that thou doest, pause and ask thyself, if death is a dreadful thing because it deprives thee of this. - Marcus Aurelius

Ken Moum

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2023, 11:38:12 PM »
I'm reminded of the superintendent who said his Stimpmeter was in a bucket of concrete and, like Excalibur, whoever pulled it out could use it on his course.
Over time, the guy in the ideal position derives an advantage, and delivering him further  advantage is not worth making the rest of the players suffer at the expense of fun, variety, and ultimately cost -- Jeff Warne, 12-08-2010

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2023, 04:26:56 AM »
What a horrible thought.
Atb

Mike_Trenham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2023, 06:02:48 AM »
I am all for making everything readily transparent and posted where everyone can see:


Board minutes
Cost of each item in the pro shop
Board of health reports
Mortgage balance
Cash on hand
Christmas fund payouts
Member tipping histories


Slippery slope (pun intended)
Proud member of a Doak 3.

Rob Marshall

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2023, 08:42:21 AM »
Why post green speeds at all? Does it matter if they are 11 or 11.5?  What matters is consistency. 


If your club is posting green speeds it is because a handful of members want to brag about how fast their greens are.


The sign has a spot for green speed. We don't intend to use it. It never should have been put on the sign. The greens were very fast on Sat. If you were above the hole you were in trouble. I would guess they were 11+. Some idiot put a piece of paper that said "slow" on the sign. The mentality of people is amazing. This is at a private club with VERY nice greens.
If life gives you limes, make margaritas.” Jimmy Buffett

Ben Hollerbach

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2023, 10:28:34 AM »
Why post green speeds at all? Does it matter if they are 11 or 11.5?  What matters is consistency. 


If your club is posting green speeds it is because a handful of members want to brag about how fast their greens are.


The sign has a spot for green speed. We don't intend to use it. It never should have been put on the sign. The greens were very fast on Sat. If you were above the hole you were in trouble. I would guess they were 11+. Some idiot put a piece of paper that said "slow" on the sign. The mentality of people is amazing. This is at a private club with VERY nice greens.
I was a member of a course that was known for their fast green speed, being it was a calling card, the members wanted the speed posted outside the locker room. I think mainly to scare the guests. One day I was chatting with the super about the speed of the greens and I told him he should just add 2ft to the posted sign, no one would know the difference. His reply was "I would, but then the posted number would be 4ft faster"


Jeff_Brauer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2023, 10:36:06 AM »
One of my favorite stories, and apropos this week, since it was LACC, was me asking a board member what the green speeds were, and him replying 11 to 12.  The superintendent, an old friend of mine, was standing behind him where he couldn't be seen and was nodding his head "no" and flashing 9 fingers.......then 10 fingers, which I interpreted to be 9.5 green speeds.
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2023, 05:53:05 PM »
Speaking not only as a golfer, but as the father of an assistant superintendent at a very high-end club, I can't think of a single good thing about posting green speeds.
Most golfers just have no understanding about what is going on at any given moment with greens and green speeds, nor could they.  How has the weather been?  What time of year is it?  What events have been held, or are about to be held?  How much play has there been?  And on and on and on.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Adrian_Stiff

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Posting greens speeds
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2023, 03:39:18 AM »
We post the stimp reading of our greens daily on our website under course status, though we only really measure weekly.


They are currently fast for us at 10'8", usually they are in the 9s.


www.theplayersgolfclub.com
A combination of whats good for golf and good for turf.
The Players Club, Cumberwell Park, The Kendleshire, Oake Manor, Dainton Park, Forest Hills, Erlestoke, St Cleres.
www.theplayersgolfclub.com