Golf ball deceleration measuring system to evaluate surface uniformity on golf course greens

Surface uniformity is an important component of golf course putting greens. Presently, there is no quantitative method to measure the surface uniformity of a putting green. The objective of this research was to develop a quantitative method to measure the uniformity of the surface of a golf course green. A Stimpmeter was attached to the end of a plastic tunnel. Photoelectric switches spaced at uniform intervals were activated by the ball as it rolled through the tunnel. As each switch was activated, a single-board computer recorded the time data. The time and distance data were used to determine average acceleration at five locations along the length of the ball roll. An analysis procedure, using data collected from various mowing treatments, was developed to determine if surface uniformity differences were detected. The method developed effectively identified uniformity differences among the mowing treatments.