Stop the madness, play from the right tee!

[Rusty1885]

Played today with single, and a twosome. The twosome are long mid/high handicap hitter, and the single, clearly a high handicap, whom I shared the cart. Three of them were hitting from the blue tee, I'm hitting from the white.

 

The two guys at least crushed it out there, but the kid(mid 20's) with waist high backswing duck hook or top all but one tee shots losing a ball on every hole To the thick tall rough around the tee box. I asked him after a few holes if he'd like to join me on the white tee, he said no he needs to play from the blue with the guys.

 

Clearly, it's not just a typical I need to see everything playing from the tip, it's peer pressure mix with mild ego. I wouldn't care that much normally but he tried to find every lost balls and not pick up when he's approach double digit on a hole. It was affecting my game. He probably shot about 130 give and take a few.

 

I don't get it, he'd rather be embarrassed about topping the ball 50 feet than playing from closer tee. I can tolerate many types of characters on the course but this came close to blowing my lid. It's patently stupid.

 

Sorry for the rant.

[MattF]

Rant away. I always look at the par 3's on any course I play to determine what tee's I'll play. If any par 3 is over 200, I'm playing the next ones down.

[Golfspy_CG2]

While I agree with you 100% that he should have been playing up. However,f he still would have been topping balls off the white and probably shot a similar score.

I say this as yesterday I played my first round ever from our gold (senior) tees which played 5700 as opposed to the whites (6100) that I normally play.

However, I caught a case of the Sha!$ on the first hole that never left and as a result shot 107 (9 lost balls) my highest score of the year.  So shorter doesn't always lead to better scores.


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[chershey]

I agree. I personally like to play from the blues because it gives me a chance to hit a few more drivers (my favorite club in the bag to hit), but when I'm playing with someone that doesn't have a lot of length, they never want to play a different tee than me, so I end saying, "let's just play from the whites and make it easy." Then I end up hitting mostly 3 woods and hybrids all day but it's better than watching the other guy have 200 yards approach shots the entire day.

[Shankster]

My home course there are only 4 holes where playing from the "tips" is more than a 5 yard difference. Same goes from the gold to white, they are almost always right next to each other, and half of the time they don't even use the gold markers.

 

 

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[ole gray]

While I agree with you 100% that he should have been playing up. Howrcrf he still would have been topping balls off the white and probably shot a similar score.

 

I say this as yesterday I played my first round ever from our gold (senior) tees which played 5700 as opposed to the whites (6100) that I normally play.

 

Hoervef I caught a case of the Sha!$ on the first hole that never left and as a result shot 107 (9 lost balls) my highest score of the year.

 

So shorter doesn't

always lead to better scores.

 

 

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You brought out a very good point! I rarely ever shoot better scores from our senior tees at my home course. Reason being it puts you very close to many of the par 4 holes which is not always a good thing. Just saying if your wedge game is not strong, I could see how those tweener shots could cause a case of the "Adams ". I actually prefer to have a full wedge or even 9 iron over those half shots

 

 

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[fozcycle]

CG2, congrats on moving up to the Senior Tees......and yes it is somewhat more difficult because you are not used to hitting shorter approach shots. Hang in there, it does take awhile to adapt your game. But it will make you a better short game.

 

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

CG2, congrats on moving up to the Senior Tees......and yes it is somewhat more difficult because you are not used to hitting shorter approach shots. Hang in there, it does take awhile to adapt your game. But it will make you a better short game.

 

 

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Foz, that's the hell of it.  My short game is my strength, it's had to be as I have trouble reaching some of the par 4's on the whites, due to my rapidly disappearing driver length   So as a result, i've worked a lot of 20 to 60 yard wedge shots and putting.   Wedge game has been on point this year until yesterday.   But I couldn't get rid of the dreaded "alans"  sorry buddy, no offense

 

But I'll play with them again in a couple weeks.  it was fun to be able to be in potion to hit some short irons in an even reach one par 5 with a really good drive.     Tonight is our regular men's league white tees from about 3100 yards.  

[DiscipleofPenick]

That's the issue the mid teens handicap that thinks their a 5. Or the guy just getting back to the game that wants to see it all. Play the whites, be honest with yourself.

 

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[Rusty1885]

I'm have an avg low handicap distance 250 drive, 155 7i. I can comfortably play blue on any course I play whatever I feel like on at my club, but choose to play white on public course because it seems like no one is playing whites anymore. Evidence lies on the par 3s broken tees litter the blue tee, but almost none on the white.

 

As for the fact that he'd have topped his drive on forward tees, sure at least he'd have shown that he's playing from the more forgiving tees. Blue/back tees are not always about the distance but the angle hence some blue tees are placed more laterally than straight back.

 

If the hazard of 125-150 yards in front of the tee you are playing makes you nervous, you are playing from the wrong tee. Many time white tees offer more challenge than blues because as it get closer to the hole fairway gets narrower even with my avg distance, more challenging for longer hitters for sure. Often time I'd be playing from the same approach distance on my home course whether it's white or blue.

 

One observation I think is interesting at my clubs I rarely see members play from the wrong tee, young or old. More players plays from forward than back tee. I guess when no one is judging they are more honest about their game.

[TheWahoo]

Unfortunately, over the years, tees have been given labels or certain perceptions (what ever the correct word may be).   They tend to be seen as:  the tips or championship tees, the regular men's, the senior men's and the ladies.   It is these labels and not ability that determines tee use for many.   Young buck's do not want to be seen on the senior tees and no man wants to be seen on the ladies tees.  Unless one is a scratch golfer or a low single digit capper, I have no idea why anyone would want to play the tips.  The USGA "play it forward" initiative may be an effort to rid these labels, but I don't see it changing for some time.  

 

I have seen at many courses, the scorecard shows what could be called a hybrid course, typically a mixture of holes from the perceived regular and senior tees.   Personally, I like them and think it is a great idea.

[MrWellingtonINC]

Yeah the course I play has 5 tees black (tournament)-7042

gold (championship) 6576

blue (regular) 6105

white (senior) 5613

and red (women's). 4836

The scorecard also has a hybrid gold/blue that I usually play at 6344.

 

I'm fairly long of the tee, I drive the ball a good distance pretty regularly (260-290) so I don't like playing from the blues much because all of the par 4s basically just drive pitch putt, I rarely need to break out a 3,4,5, or 6. The longer tees require me to use the whole bag. I could probably shoot 3-4 strokes lower at the other tees but maybe I enjoy the punishment and challenge.

 

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[Rusty1885]

Unfortunately, over the years, tees have been given labels or certain perceptions (what ever the correct word may be). They tend to be seen as: the tips or championship tees, the regular men's, the senior men's and the ladies. It is these labels and not ability that determines tee use for many. Young buck's do not want to be seen on the senior tees and no man wants to be seen on the ladies tees. Unless one is a scratch golfer or a low single digit capper, I have no idea why anyone would want to play the tips. The USGA "play it forward" initiative may be an effort to rid these labels, but I don't see it changing for some time.

 

I have seen at many courses, the scorecard shows what could be called a hybrid course, typically a mixture of holes from the perceived regular and senior tees. Personally, I like them and think it is a great idea.

[Rusty1885]

It changed me. I'm the proud ambassador of the white tees.

[Iced Tea and Lemonade]

Played today with single, and a twosome. The twosome are long mid/high handicap hitter, and the single, clearly a high handicap, whom I shared the cart. Three of them were hitting from the blue tee, I'm hitting from the white.

 

The two guys at least crushed it out there, but the kid(mid 20's) with waist high backswing duck hook or top all but one tee shots losing a ball on every hole To the thick tall rough around the tee box. I asked him after a few holes if he'd like to join me on the white tee, he said no he needs to play from the blue with the guys.

 

Clearly, it's not just a typical I need to see everything playing from the tip, it's peer pressure mix with mild ego. I wouldn't care that much normally but he tried to find every lost balls and not pick up when he's approach double digit on a hole. It was affecting my game. He probably shot about 130 give and take a few.

 

I don't get it, he'd rather be embarrassed about topping the ball 50 feet than playing from closer tee. I can tolerate many types of characters on the course but this came close to blowing my lid. It's patently stupid.

 

Sorry for the rant.

I agree. Playing from the right tee would significantly help pace of play! I'm not breaking par at an executive course, so no need to play anything but the white tees for me.

 

 

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[Reesedw]

Its has to do with age and ego.. When your young regardless of how well you play crushing a 300 yd drive is cool, ok it's cool no matter how old you are.. but my point is nobody wants to admit they aren't as good as someone else. once you figure out golf is hard and you aren't really as good as you think you are then you play appropriately.. until you get to an age where you don't want to admit your not as good as you once were.. because once in a while you connect you hear that little "tick" we all know as a flush shot the ball fly beyond normal and you think you can still hit that all the time.. 

 

We all have been one or the other at some point in our lives.. and will be the later much sooner then we all want.. 

 

Is it right NO, does it annoy us yes.. Do we use it as an excuse Damn right.. but it's all part of growing up and older in my opinion.. 

[Reesedw]

RANT AWAY.. we all want to.. 

[PlaidJacket]

I'm a big advocate of playing the correct tees. I'm a guy that played for too long from the incorrect (back) tee. It was only a few years ago I made a full time change to the next tee at my home course. The white tee in this case. I'm 62 now and quite frankly should have moved to the white tee when I was about 55. It's a distance thing. But I hung in there like a man. LOL

 

Interestingly I'm getting more buddies moving up to the white with me now days. It's taking a few of them some time but they're getting it. Play the tee that fits your distances. Regardless of what tee it is. You'll have more fun and score like you should.

 

As for the guy in the original post.... I think he probably could use some lessons more than anything.

[Rusty1885]

Its has to do with age and ego.. When your young regardless of how well you play crushing a 300 yd drive is cool, ok it's cool no matter how old you are.. but my point is nobody wants to admit they aren't as good as someone else. once you figure out golf is hard and you aren't really as good as you think you are then you play appropriately.. until you get to an age where you don't want to admit your not as good as you once were.. because once in a while you connect you hear that little "tick" we all know as a flush shot the ball fly beyond normal and you think you can still hit that all the time.. 

 

We all have been one or the other at some point in our lives.. and will be the later much sooner then we all want.. 

 

Is it right NO, does it annoy us yes.. Do we use it as an excuse Damn right.. but it's all part of growing up and older in my opinion..

 

Yep, I just posted similar thing on another thread.

 

Let's face it a good high percentage par round of golf usually bland-ish. Drive the ball on the fairway, hit approach on the green then hopefully one but no more than 2 putts. In case of miss, take the medicine and punch out of trouble. Around the green choose the lowest route to get the ball rolling on the green. Even a stiff like me carry a 64* wedge for the silly Mickelson shots around the green for some comedic relief every now and then.

 

Luckily I'm done with the pursuit of the low bending shot around the tree the checks as soon as it hits the green, or shots thru the trees because "golf is 90% air". I've come to appreciate the approach shot that drop-skip-and stop than hoping for one that spin back 10'.

 

I'm cool with growing pain and dues paying in golf, seriously, everyone learn it the hard way why should you have it easier:) but sometimes it's just too much. It takes discipline to pitch/punch out and not go-for-it. Thinking is hard work, that's why few does it on the course.

[bullldog]

IMO..handicap has nothing to do tees....... I hear you y'all grumbling, let me explain myself.

Example late teens to 30s high handicappers can smack a ball along ways. But can lack short game & accuracy. Moving up doesn't help if they can't hit short irons or chip & putt.

So to me its an ego thing. If you can't leave yourself 6~7 iron on most average par 4s or 4 hybrid or so on long par 4s then you need to move up.

This is my gage for tees not par 3s.

(disclaimer, this is a stereotyping /generalization)

[jayjay0808]

I worked in the industry and for years that was the complaint from many members, certain players were on tee boxes that didn't allow them to fully enjoy the game. I know this may not be the case for some, but when I first got a coach when I was 16 he made me play off of the forward tees until I could break par. He did that for every tee box, until I got to the tips. 

[Rusty1885]

I agree bulldog, it's the distance off the tee, heck I don't even care if your drive is 150-175 as long as you can get it out there pass the hazards in a consistent matter and not holding up anyone. I actually enjoy playing with long hitter high handicappers it's an extra validation for my hard work.

 

As for the short game, sure they can also be bad, I'm quite ok with that. I didn't get my ah-ha wedge work moment til recent years, I think everyone has the right to suffer with their unreliable short game like the rest as long as they keep it reasonable and moving.

[Smalls1588]

For some reason people think you'll be offended or they feel embarrassed if they play from different tees. Never understood this it's such a pain.

 

 

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[4Left]

This is probably my biggest frustration with golf. I have been stuck behind foursomes playing one in from the tips who are clearly better suited to one in from the front. Plus taking both an unnecessary amount of practice swings and time reading greens drives me nuts. I have even seen foursomes playing from the tips where they were pulling driver on par 3's.

 

I would love to know if any marshals ever step in to stop this insanity at other courses?

 

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[Rusty1885]

This is probably my biggest frustration with golf. I have been stuck behind foursomes playing one in from the tips who are clearly better suited to one in from the front. Plus taking both an unnecessary amount of practice swings and time reading greens drives me nuts. I have even seen foursomes playing from the tips where they were pulling driver on par 3's.

I would love to know if any marshals ever step in to stop this insanity at other courses?

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You've never want to be playing behind junior or high school players, it's not pretty. They walk 360* around every 6' putt and address the putt with the marker down then pick up the marker then putt and these are not a good players. Some of the good ones take even longer just like the pros on the tour.

 

Usually twice a week I play by myself at my home course and one at public course so as long as I'm playing with someone I don't usually get bothered.

[Fireinthehole]

Usually when I get paired with others I'll ask where they're playing from, and play from there, especially if they're forward tees. Last weekend played from the red tees, group i played with was a blast.

 

I like jays idea, I think next time I head out, I'm going to play from the most forward tees and see if I can break par

 

 

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[BigtazzGolf]

I'll play any tee that my group is on. It doesn't really matter depending on the course. I'll play about the same from any box lol.

 

 

Tazz

Grip n Rip it

[Rusty1885]

I'll play any tee that my group is on. It doesn't really matter depending on the course. I'll play about the same from any box lol.

Tazz

Grip n Rip it

I find this to be true. We're all have the comfort scoring zone. Red, white or blue we'd end up shooting our score on avg.

 

That said, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game with my buddy, we're playing 2 balls-worse ball for $2 a hole. I've never mastered this game mentally never break 90 yet, and worse, I $uck at playing match play for money. For obvious reason I couldn't control my nerve. Any other format I'm fine.

[Kenny B]

Yeah the course I play has 5 tees black (tournament)-7042

gold (championship) 6576

blue (regular) 6105

white (senior) 5613

and red (women's). 4836

The scorecard also has a hybrid gold/blue that I usually play at 6344.

 

I'm fairly long of the tee, I drive the ball a good distance pretty regularly (260-290) so I don't like playing from the blues much because all of the par 4s basically just drive pitch putt, I rarely need to break out a 3,4,5, or 6. The longer tees require me to use the whole bag. I could probably shoot 3-4 strokes lower at the other tees but maybe I enjoy the punishment and challenge.

 

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Your course is set up similar to mine except we don't have that 7000y tee box.  Most courses around here have the White tees around 6100y, but our 6100y set of tees are Blue which is where I play.

 

However, we can't call the White tees senior or the Red tees women's, because many women play from the White tees and some of the older seniors play from the Red tees.  

 

Most member tournaments for men are played from the Blue tees, but men are also allowed to play from the White tees if their age + course HCP is 90 or above.  I played with a guy today that can kick my ass playing from the White tees at 84 years old, and I can outdrive him on many holes (which isn't saying much)

[Kenny B]

While I agree with you 100% that he should have been playing up. However,f he still would have been topping balls off the white and probably shot a similar score.

 

I say this as yesterday I played my first round ever from our gold (senior) tees which played 5700 as opposed to the whites (6100) that I normally play.

 

However, I caught a case of the Sha!$ on the first hole that never left and as a result shot 107 (9 lost balls) my highest score of the year.  So shorter doesn't always lead to better scores.

 

 

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Uh oh!  I thought we would have fun playing together.  I CAN NOT see that shot or I will do the same thing.