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 uniformi ty of a putting green. The objective of this research was to develop a quan titative method to measure the uniformity of the surface of a golf course g reen. A Stimpmeter was attached to the end of a plastic tunnel. Photoelectr ic switches spaced at uniform intervals were activated by the ball as it ro lled through the tunnel. As each switch was activated, a single-board compu ter recorded the time data. The time and distance data were used to determi ne average acceleration at five locations along the length of the ball roll . An analysis procedure, using data collected from various mowing treatment s, was developed to determine if surface uniformity differences were detect ed. The method developed effectively identified uniformity differences amon g the mowing treatments.