The USGA Green Section has built its reputation over more than a century on technology, so it made perfect sense for them to join our 2025 Turf Technology Showcase to discuss both their history — Edward Stimpson developed his eponymous Stimpmeter after watching Gene Sarazen putt right off a green at the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club — and their more recent developments. Here are three things we learned from senior data scientist Wes Stewart:
1. Much like the Stimpmeter, the GS3 smart golf ball was born out of player frustration: After players posted videos about course conditions at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, USGA agronomy team members requested a way “to objectively assess ball roll quality,” Stewart said. “‘We would like to incorporate that into our championship preparation, and we want ways to measure this objectively going forward.’” That one weekend helped give birth to the GS3 smart golf ball. Now used widely, it measures speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness.
2. And unlike the Stimpmeter, the GS3 doesn’t just report physical distance traveled by the ball: “We’re looking at the deceleration from point to point,” Stewart said. “We take that data, we match it up with what we would consider an ideal launch speed, and we look at deceleration more than revolutions.” Similarly, smoothness and trueness are measured in three dimensions. “We’re really looking for accelerations that are significantly different than just the normal ball chatter as it rolls across the playing surface.”
3. The DEACON app brings every tool together, including the USGA’s new Moisture Meter: “You can review metrics and performance on the mobile app. You can also build out custom charts. This allows you to put some more precision to your estimates,” Stewart said. “It also allows you to compare practices over time. This tracks that data and allows you to analyze and compare.”
CLICK HERE to view the presentation.
Matt LaWell is Golf Course Industry’s senior editor.
