At present the only measure of golf green playing quality that is understood and accepted within the world of golf is the Stimpmeter used for measuring green speed. In order to make a more comprehensive statement on golf green playing quality other features need to be quantified. These include firmness and also trueness. Firmness relates to the manner in which incoming, airborne shots respond to the green on impact. Trueness relates to the manner in which a golf ball travels over the surface of the green during putting. Trueness is the subject of this invention.

Canary Island golfer

Clegg hardness meter

The true roll of a golf ball is one that follows exactly the line intended by the golfer after he or she has appraised the slopes and borrows and made the putt. However, small-scale discontinuities in the surface, not apparent to the golfer, can knock the ball off this line. The Lodgemeter measures the extent of these discontinuities and allows a statement of just how true a particular green is on the day of the measurement.

The true roll of a golf ball is one that follows exactly the line intended by the golfer after he or she has appraised the slopes and borrows and made the putt. However, small-scale discontinuities in the surface, not apparent to the golfer, can knock the ball off this line. The Lodgemeter measures the extent of these discontinuities and allows a statement of just how true a particular green is on the day of the measurement.

Stimp meter & Lodge ramp

In other words, the Lodgemeter will answer the question, what is the chance of this particular putt missing the hole due to problems with the surface of the green that the golfer cannot be aware of? You will appreciate the degree of interest there will be in the answers to this question.

It is important to realise that trueness is not the same as smoothness. Smoothness is a topographical characteristic that undoubtedly affects trueness but ignores some critical factors in relation to golf greens. For example, different grass species resist the roll of the ball in different ways. If a diversity of grass types are present in the surface, all mown at the same height of course, the trueness of roll will be affected by the differentials in resistance encountered along the way. These differentials would not be detected by a measurement of topography alone.

The Lodgemeter represents a completely new idea in the field of golf playing quality assessment. The device is currently under development.

Thereafter it will be necessary to produce a ‘Mark II' model, a refined and simplified version of the device incorporating the optimum design features identified in the prototype.

Mark II will then be used to establish the value ranges of the new measure in relation to trueness of surface as perceived by golfers. This will require testing of the device on real golf greens and obtaining the opinion of golfers with respect to the surfaces measured. My extensive contacts at golf courses throughout the UK will of course facilitate this.

Also, at this stage, ‘standard' artificial surfaces will need to be created, against which new Lodgemeters may be calibrated.

Agrostis Turf Consultancy

21 Grove Park, Walsham le Willows, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 3AE

Office 01359 259361