Putter’s Helper

Golf fans know a fast green reads “11” on the Stimpmeter, but do they know what that means? Or what a Stimpmeter looks like? Robert Hertzing, above, uses the simple device to measure the speed of a green at Valencia Country Club, site of the 1998 Nissan Open next week. Release the ball down the metal chute and measure how many feet it rolls. After several rolls, take an average and that’s the reading.