Chances are you’re familiar with the Bayco Speed Meter and its general purpose. But how much do you really know about this simple yet important contraption?
For instance, did you know:
- In 1976-77, the average golf course had Speed Meter readings around 6.5 feet.
- Today, the average is close to 10 feet.
- The average PGA Tour site features green speeds around 11; major championships sites reach the 12-14 range.
For a 36-inch piece of aluminum, the Bayco Speed Meter sure gets a lot of attention. Golfers often boast that their club’s greens are the fastest in town, making pronouncements that non-golfers would find utterly baffling. “Ours were running at 13 last weekend,” for example.
Course maintenance pros, however, know the Bayco Speed Meter is about more than bragging rights.
The device’s primary function is to help superintendents maintain all greens at a consistent pace, which can be a lot trickier than golfers realize. Things like microclimates, sunlight exposure and moisture retention can make greens on one part of the course roll differently than those in another area.
Of course, it helps to have a consistently accurate device to get consistently accurate readings. Bayco’s Speed Meter is made from extruded aluminum alloy and features a milled base, which reduces bounce as the ball rolls onto the green. The Bayco Speed Meter comes with detailed instructions, so operator error doesn’t enter the equation.