This video was posted on Youtube by the McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL. The video explains that they had made this green ultra fast so that the few tour players who are members could practice for the lightening quick greens at Augusta. While that may be the reason for speeding up the green, what possible reason is there for posting this clip? The last thing golf needs are superintendents trying to show off and one-up one another. There are many things that are contributing to the ridiculous green speeds that are prevalent at many courses today but normally this comes players side of things. Let’s hope that this video is not a harbinger that some superintendents have drunk the Kool-Aid and are getting caught up in this obsession. So great……way to go McArthur- 17.5 on the stimp. Woohoo! What a waste.

Not only is this a waste of resources, but in many cases the greens were not designed for these types of speeds. We are not talking about old Donald Ross greens but modern greens, built by some of the best in the business. In recent years there has been a move back towards significant and interesting green contour. Golfers will soon become very frustrated at the multitude of three and four putts if these greens are maintained at overly fast speeds and this dissatisfaction will then swing the pendulum back towards boring flat greens. As the saying goes…..it is a slippery slope.- W.S.