🦎 Gecko Golf — Grade % Field Calculator

Two-Shot Elevation → Grade

Enter two elevation readings from your Topcon and the distance between them.

Shot A (ft)

Shot B (ft)

Horizontal Distance (ft)

Enter values above to see grade.

How to use: Take a rod reading at Point A, walk to Point B, take another reading, measure the distance between them. The difference in rod readings = rise. Enter both here for instant grade.

Cut / Fill Volume Estimator

Enter area and average depth to get cubic yards of material.

Area (square feet)

Average Depth / Cut (inches)

Swell / Compaction Factor % (15–25% typical)

Enter values above.

Bank cubic yards = raw material in the ground.
Loose cubic yards = material after digging (add swell factor for trucking).
Compacted cubic yards = final placed volume.

ADA Cart Path / Ramp Checker

ADA max running slope is 8.33% (1:12). Cross slope max is 2%.

Grade % to check

Check type

Enter a grade % above.

ADA applies to: Cart paths near the clubhouse, accessible routes, parking lot access. Open fairway paths may be exempt but check with your architect or owner.

Grade Reference Table

Distance	1%	2%	3%	4%	5%

Golf Course Grade Guide

USGA & industry standard grade ranges for each feature.

⛳ Putting Green

1% – 3%

USGA max 3% · min 1% for drainage · complex 2–2.5% ideal

🏌️ Tee Box

0.5% – 2%

Flat feel · 1% preferred · max 2% per USGA

🌾 Fairway

1% – 5%

Side slopes 2–3% for drainage · crossing slopes up to 5%

⛱️ Bunker Floor

1% – 3%

Slopes to drain point · flat floor aesthetics · 2% standard

⛺ Bunker Face

25% – 45%

Varies by design style · revetted can exceed 100%

🚗 Cart Path

1% – 8%

ADA max 8.33% · cross slope ≤2% · drainage min 1%

🏊 Drainage Swale

0.5% – 3%

Min 0.5% to flow · 1% preferred · check soil type

🌿 Rough / Slopes

5% – 20%

Mower access max ~30% · safety limit 33%

Field Formulas

The three core grade formulas — memorize these and you can do anything in the field.

FIND GRADE %

Grade % = (Rise ÷ Run) × 100

Example: 0.25 ft rise over 10 ft run = (0.25 ÷ 10) × 100 = 2.5%

FIND RISE (drop over a distance)

Rise = Run × (Grade % ÷ 100)

Example: 20 ft run at 2% = 20 × 0.02 = 0.40 ft drop

FIND RUN (distance to achieve a rise)

Run = Rise ÷ (Grade % ÷ 100)

Example: 0.5 ft drop at 2% = 0.5 ÷ 0.02 = 25 ft

SLOPE RATIO (1:X format)

Ratio = 100 ÷ Grade %

Example: 2% grade = 100 ÷ 2 = 1:50 slope

VOLUME (cubic yards)

CY = (Area ft² × Depth ft) ÷ 27

Example: 29,500 sf × 0.5 ft ÷ 27 = 546 CY

PRO TIPS

✅ Always work in decimal feet (0.25 not 3 inches) — it matches your rod
✅ 1% over 100 ft = exactly 1 ft of drop — easy mental check
✅ Green drainage min 1% — if it reads flat, water will pool
✅ Bunker faces: shoot the toe and the lip, measure horizontal distance
✅ ADA limit = 1 ft rise per 12 ft run = 8.33%
✅ Swell factor: add 15–20% to bank CY for trucking/hauling
✅ Inverse grade: divide 1 by run to get grade needed for 1-inch fall