"Which tees do you want to play?"

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1398642754' post='9183261']
[quote name='Andy L' timestamp='1398640430' post='9182983']
As Clint Eastwood said, "A mans got to know his limitations." I'm amazed at the number of golfers that are worse than us that want to play the back tees. Clearly they are oblivious to their limitations
[/quote]

Or they don't care? Or maybe they are actually 'better' than you but having a rough day? Or maybe they like getting kicked in the junk for 18 holes? Great you guys have found what works for your group, but that doesn't mean it's applicable to others.

I'm continually amazed by how many golfers on here gauge the character and judgement of other golfers based on the tees they play.
[/quote]

Sorry didn't mean to offend if I did. I'm a big believer in personal freedom and you certainly should do what you want so long as it doesn't adversely impact those around them (i.e. slow play). It's just that I was always was told the back tee's are for good golfers i.e. single digit HC and hence the reason why courses have multiple tee boxes for use that are commensurate with various skill levels. I also know that people playing from the wrong tee's is a problem in slow play and frustration with the game. But again, so long as you aren't impacting anyone else then play from the tips if you want.

[FlyFish]

Another question to ask is, are the tees that you play rely more on your handicap or your average driving distance?

I personally think that it has more to do with driving distance. On some courses, playing from the whites brings more trouble into play, and then I'm just hitting fairway woods off of the tees instead of driver.

[Augster]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']

But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

And you shoot what, 66? 68? On the days you are going driver wedge each hole. No?

I'd say you haven't found the right tees yet.

As I will always say and advocate, if a player isn't shooting around par from the tees they are playing, keep moving up until they do. If 60% (3/5) of your rounds are par or better from the tees you are playing, move back a set.

If a player isn't shooting around par, he isn't playing the game correctly. It is too hard for them. Move up a set, or more, until you do.

Most players could tee the ball 10 yards off the green and not shoot even, all par 3's, for the round.

[90isagoodday]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1398751219' post='9193271']
[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']
But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

And you shoot what, 66? 68? On the days you are going driver wedge each hole. No?

I'd say you haven't found the right tees yet.

As I will always say and advocate, if a player isn't shooting around par from the tees they are playing, keep moving up until they do. If 60% (3/5) of your rounds are par or better from the tees you are playing, move back a set.

If a player isn't shooting around par, he isn't playing the game correctly. It is too hard for them. Move up a set, or more, until you do.

Most players could tee the ball 10 yards off the green and not shoot even, all par 3's, for the round.
[/quote]

This is asinine.

Due to short game, 99% of the world couldn't break par from womens tees. I will play 6800-7k yds usually and Im prob about a 15 hdcp. I drive prob ~285 and hit 10ish FIR/round. Should I really go up there to 6200 and go driver/wedge into every hole? It won't make me play any faster and wont make my game any better. If I hit a crappy approach shot its not hitting the green whether its with a 6i or a GW.

Unless your approach shots are now 5-7 irons instead of 9-LW, you are not materially changing the difficulty of the course or your round time for most people by playing further back, save for possibly on a par 3 or two.

Oh btw, I can play a round in 1:20 by myself with no traffic from 7k yds. What the hell does it matter what tees I play when its gonna be a 5 hr round anyway?

Moral of story: I choose to play the set of tees that will let me hit widest variety of clubs in widest variety of situations so that I can get better.

[That Bob Guy]

I didn't read any of the posts, so I wouldn't be feel guilty, but I play around 6000 yards. It's too depressing for me to play anything longer. Hey...you still gotta hit the shots!

[GMR]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1398751219' post='9193271']
And you shoot what, 66? 68? On the days you are going driver wedge each hole. No?
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure I was clear in stating that it wasn't uncommon for me to have holes where I take 4 (or more!) shots inside of 100 yards. So if the hole is 390, and I hit a drive to 90, great shot but unfortunately doesn't guarantee birdie or par.


[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1398751219' post='9193271']
If a player isn't shooting around par, he isn't playing the game correctly. It is too hard for them. Move up a set, or more, until you do.

Most players could tee the ball 10 yards off the green and not shoot even, all par 3's, for the round.
[/quote]

These two comments are contradictory, unless of course you are saying "if you don't have a short game, don't bother showing up," which, I will agree with 90isagoodday, is an asinine stance.

[Augster]

[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1398757147' post='9193403']


This is asinine.

Due to short game, 99% of the world couldn't break par from womens tees. I will play 6800-7k yds usually and Im prob about a 15 hdcp. I drive prob ~285 and hit 10ish FIR/round. Should I really go up there to 6200 and go driver/wedge into every hole? It won't make me play any faster and wont make my game any better. If I hit a crappy approach shot its not hitting the green whether its with a 6i or a GW.

Unless your approach shots are now 5-7 irons instead of 9-LW, you are not materially changing the difficulty of the course or your round time for most people by playing further back, save for possibly on a par 3 or two.

Oh btw, I can play a round in 1:20 by myself with no traffic from 7k yds. What the hell does it matter what tees I play when its gonna be a 5 hr round anyway?

Moral of story: I choose to play the set of tees that will let me hit widest variety of clubs in widest variety of situations so that I can get better.
[/quote]

You are delusional if you think getting better with you scoring clubs, and chipping and putting, won't make you a better player. You don't understand golf.

We all pay to play and we are all free to choose whatever tees we want blah, blah, blah.

The fact is if you aren't shooting around par every round, and a 15 simply isn't, you need to make the game easier until you are. At some point you'll be far enough forward that your long game destroys the course. Once shooting 68 is commonplace, move back.

A guy shooting 87 from the tips because he's "too long" isn't impressive at all.

Eventually you will find a set of tees where you struggle to shoot around par. That's the right set of tees.

[GMR]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1398789910' post='9195887']
[quote name='90isagoodday' timestamp='1398757147' post='9193403']
This is asinine.

Due to short game, 99% of the world couldn't break par from womens tees. I will play 6800-7k yds usually and Im prob about a 15 hdcp. I drive prob ~285 and hit 10ish FIR/round. Should I really go up there to 6200 and go driver/wedge into every hole? It won't make me play any faster and wont make my game any better. If I hit a crappy approach shot its not hitting the green whether its with a 6i or a GW.

Unless your approach shots are now 5-7 irons instead of 9-LW, you are not materially changing the difficulty of the course or your round time for most people by playing further back, save for possibly on a par 3 or two.

Oh btw, I can play a round in 1:20 by myself with no traffic from 7k yds. What the hell does it matter what tees I play when its gonna be a 5 hr round anyway?

Moral of story: I choose to play the set of tees that will let me hit widest variety of clubs in widest variety of situations so that I can get better.
[/quote]

You are delusional if you think getting better with you scoring clubs, and chipping and putting, won't make you a better player. You don't understand golf.

We all pay to play and we are all free to choose whatever tees we want blah, blah, blah.

The fact is if you aren't shooting around par every round, and a 15 simply isn't, you need to make the game easier until you are. At some point you'll be far enough forward that your long game destroys the course. Once shooting 68 is commonplace, move back.

A guy shooting 87 from the tips because he's "too long" isn't impressive at all.

Eventually you will find a set of tees where you struggle to shoot around par. That's the right set of tees.
[/quote]

This logic makes no sense. Sure, getting better with your scoring clubs, chipping and putting, will make you a better player. I don't think anyone would argue that. So I should drop a ball from 100 yards on every hole? Think about it... if I need to move up to 75 yards off the green on every hole before I can shoot even par 72, what downside is there to playing from 7,000 yards and scoring 95 if the 72 shots that I still take inside 75 yards are a subset of my total score?

What you are advocating is to not practice at all with your longer clubs until you have a great short game. Someone chime in if you disagree, but to me that's just a really silly idea. It also in no way makes the game any more "fun"--humiliating would be the way I'd be more apt to describe it.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']
While I hear you, I was doing something rather un-WRX-like and giving you an accurate assessment of my game, not inflated. My 265 carry is pretty consistent. When it hits the fairway I typically get at least 275 out of it, though obviously when I (often) miss in the rough roll goes away and I get right around 265. Unless of course I hit a tree, then who knows?

On days my long game is off I don't mind playing whites/reds/whatever since it is challenging even if I play 6-irons off every tee (since I probably STILL) won't hit 8 fairways.

But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

Trying to be different ha... Stop that! Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole.

Driver and wedge is boring and dull...must be hitting lots of fairways, and you're a 13? By design, good golf is always boring. I suppose, I am one of those that like it boring vs exciting and in the junk all the time.

[GMR]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1398791517' post='9196123']
[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']
While I hear you, I was doing something rather un-WRX-like and giving you an accurate assessment of my game, not inflated. My 265 carry is pretty consistent. When it hits the fairway I typically get at least 275 out of it, though obviously when I (often) miss in the rough roll goes away and I get right around 265. Unless of course I hit a tree, then who knows?

On days my long game is off I don't mind playing whites/reds/whatever since it is challenging even if I play 6-irons off every tee (since I probably STILL) won't hit 8 fairways.

But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

Trying to be different ha... Stop that! Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole.

Driver and wedge is boring and dull...must be hitting lots of fairways, and you're a 13? By design, good golf is always boring. I suppose, I am one of those that like it boring vs exciting and in the junk all the time.
[/quote]

Hey there and thanks for the response. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Particularly "Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole." And therein lies the problem.

I played a 6,000 yard course the other day. I hit 10/14 fairways, and my misses were all playable. I hit 11 greens. I think my longest approach shot was hit with an 8-iron. I shot 78 (par 71). Was it fun? Sure--it's always nice to shoot good scores. But do I wish I had played from a more reasonable distance and challenged myself a little more? Yes, absolutely.

The next day I played the exact same 6,000 yard course. I shot 90. I hit 5 fairways and 4 greens. Did I wish that I was playing from tees that were further back? Definitely not. How much it would have hurt my score is debatable, but I certainly didn't need any extra challenge that day.

As someone who doesn't have enough time to play to ever shake the inconsistency that those two rounds perfectly sum up, does it make more sense to play tees that challenge on the "good days," or the ones that help minimize damage when nothing is going right? And if it's the later, why doesn't everyone just play off the reds every round?

[Forged4ever]

I haven't read any of these posts prior to posting this however these are my thoughts, views and opinions on the matter of what tees an individual should play. They are quite simple really, and they are shaped by my teacher of 36 years, who was a very simple man, though in his simplicity, both as a teacher, and as a man, he was brilliant.

And his views(and mine) are that until an individual can break 80 EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE TIME from the WHITE TEES and this is in either serious money games or tourneys, not sh*t and giggle rounds with their buddies, they should play the WHITE tees, and when they can compete in serious games and tourneys and do as I stated above, then they should move to the BLUE TEES.

They should play the BLUE TEES until they can break 75 NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME, same scenarios as the white tees, and then they should move to the TIPS if they so desire.

And his response to those of you that say that for you, to do this would mean a game of basically drive, pitch and putt, well, first he would chuckle, then with a gentle kindness remind you that #1, as of yet, driver and club distances have no box on a scorecard, lol, and #2, you should have absolutely zero problem breaking 80 from the Whites with your wedges and putter as the game has obviously become too easy for you, LMAO, or, breaking 75 from the Blues, lol.

And this really is quite simple and all the Pro has to do is decide that this is the way that it's going to be, have his on course Personel enforce it, and all's good.

You don't like this rule and think that it doesn't apply to you?

No problem, find another course to play, LMAO.

I know both public tracks and private clubs that follow a similar template and they have no shortage of golfers or members.

Trust me, the game and these courses and clubs can get along just fine without your greens fee/cart or caddie fees, lol.

Here's a little kicker.

I have abided by this template and the last time that I played the whites was 1975 and the last time that I played the blues(when they went with the blacks/tips) was 1991. Due to health issues, I haven't played a competitive round since 2012 and hopefully I can get on the course this season.

When I do, it will be from the whites. If you don't think that that won't be humbling, considering the last time that I played the whites, then you're more delusional than I gave you credit for being in thinking that you've for the game to play the tips.

And this isn't personal, cuz I don't even know you. It's simple statistics. 96-98% of ya can't break 100 playin it down and out, forget doin it for money, silver or crystal.

Nope, I'm gonna be playing the whites, until I lift my game to the level that it should be to move back to the blues, and then hopefully, the blacks.

And no, guys playin back doesn't really slow the game down in and of itself, though it's a compilation of factors across 18 holes.

It's just a matter of egos, and managing them.

But to say that you hit the ball too far to play the whites, LMAO?

Paleeeze

Like my teacher would say, you should be on a LD grid, not a golf course, LMAO

Come back and talk to me when you can break either 80 from the whites 80% of the time or 75 from the Blues 90% of the time, LMAO

Have a great season Gents/Gals

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='FlyFish' timestamp='1398733660' post='9191405']
Another question to ask is, are the tees that you play rely more on your handicap or your average driving distance?

I personally think that it has more to do with driving distance. On some courses, playing from the whites brings more trouble into play, and then I'm just hitting fairway woods off of the tees instead of driver.
[/quote]

I've heard your rebuttal before; shorter tees bring more hazards into play. What about your scoring, was that as good or better than your normal course? Playing shorter tees' just means choosing different clubs to insure you either clear those hazards or play short of them, and keep the ball in play.

Recently I took a few friends to a very difficult 72/140 6700 course and we played the black tees. When they saw the yardage they said this is short. I said, OK, you all should kick its butt.. bets were down, game on. Two of the guys shot 5-7 more strokes than normal, and the other guy wanted to cry. They found out their driver wasn't nearly as long or controlled as they thought, even 3wd wasn't that accurate, nor hybrids. My guess, their course mgt judgment fell out of the cart somewhere after standing on #2 tee box.

My point in sharing is if we're good at the game, our score card should be relatively the same no matter what tee's we play, even better from shorter tees, right?. if that isn't the case, and the butt gets kicked, then the game needs work, and so does course mgt judgment. In other words, their game doesn't travel well, and they're not as good as they like to believe. A spade is always a spade.

[GMR]

[quote name='Forged4ever' timestamp='1398792476' post='9196255']
But to say that you hit the ball too far to play the whites, LMAO?

Paleeeze

Like my teacher would say, you should be on a LD grid, not a golf course, LMAO

Come back and talk to me when you can break either 80 from the whites 80% of the time or 75 from the Blues 90% of the time, LMAO

Have a great season Gents/Gals

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard
[/quote]

Hi Richard and thank you for your input. Just FWIW, I am not trying to make the case that I should be playing the tips off every course, or even that I should be playing the blues for that matter.

I do think that there seems to be a little bit of a misconception about two things that you and some of the better golfers on these forums share.
1) I don't know that you truly grasp how bad some higher handicap golfers' short games (mine included) really are. I could actually play every par 3 from 100 (wedge), every par 4 from 250 (3-wood), and every par 5 from 450 (easily reachable), and I promise you I couldn't shoot even par on anything approaching a consistent basis. Does this mean I should play off the juniors tees?

2) As someone who spends a lot of time working to improve--which I admire greatly and wish I could emulate if time and other responsibilities did not interfere--you and others may have lost touch with the reason that some higher-handicappers continue to play the game. I have a very limited amount of time to play. If I truly wanted to improve, every last moment of that time would be spent on the putting/chipping greens, and practicing pitch shots on the driving range. I would never step foot on a golf course. But what is lost there is the [b]fun[/b]. Why do I need to be able to break par to have fun? And why should I have to play a course in a way that is very different than what the architect intended (drivable par 4s, wedge approach shots on every hole) just because my scoring isn't good? Why is that fun?

[Forged4ever]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398793797' post='9196453']
[quote name='Forged4ever' timestamp='1398792476' post='9196255']
But to say that you hit the ball too far to play the whites, LMAO?

Paleeeze

Like my teacher would say, you should be on a LD grid, not a golf course, LMAO

Come back and talk to me when you can break either 80 from the whites 80% of the time or 75 from the Blues 90% of the time, LMAO

Have a great season Gents/Gals

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard
[/quote]

Hi Richard and thank you for your input. Just FWIW, I am not trying to make the case that I should be playing the tips off every course, or even that I should be playing the blues for that matter.

I do think that there seems to be a little bit of a misconception about two things that you and some of the better golfers on these forums share.
1) I don't know that you truly grasp how bad some higher handicap golfers' short games (mine included) really are. I could actually play every par 3 from 100 (wedge), every par 4 from 250 (3-wood), and every par 5 from 450 (easily reachable), and I promise you I couldn't shoot even par on anything approaching a consistent basis. Does this mean I should play off the juniors tees?

2) As someone who spends a lot of time working to improve--which I admire greatly and wish I could emulate if time and other responsibilities did not interfere--you and others may have lost touch with the reason that some higher-handicappers continue to play the game. I have a very limited amount of time to play. If I truly wanted to improve, every last moment of that time would be spent on the putting/chipping greens, and practicing pitch shots on the driving range. I would never step foot on a golf course. But what is lost there is the [b]fun[/b]. Why do I need to be able to break par to have fun? And why should I have to play a course in a way that is very different than what the architect intended (drivable par 4s, wedge approach shots on every hole) just because my scoring isn't good? Why is that fun?
[/quote]First GM, thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post. Absolutely not regardinging playing "up" beyond the whites. Back "in the day," there were only two sets of tees, up and back, and really, the ladies and juniors got screwed because most tracks, especially clubs, geared the front tees around the male golfers, though some did have a "red" set for women. A male should play the whites, unless he wants to play forward of that, be it Senior, if available or the reds, and I have not referred to those as women's for some time because quite a few seniors will play those.


You absolutely do not need to break par to have fun, and I feel that if you don't want to keep score, that is your right, not privilege, but right not to.

Let me say now, and I've said it before, though you obviously have not read my posts and that is that I detest the low caps/plus players who carry an arrogance of superiority around with them.

Simply put, they suck!

And they no more represent the tradition, customs and etiquette that seperate this game from all others than the rude, inconsiderate *sshole who's gonna play back because, "I payed my greens fee and can play wherever I want to."

They both are a disgrace to the game.

Someone such as yourself, and I can tell by your post that you are a class individual and the reason that this is the best game on earth, however you owe no one am explanation.

I guess that if anything, I'm big on tradition, and provided that it in now way infringes on someone's right to enjoy themselves on the course, and they behave, carry themselves and play to uphold that tradition, and I don't care if they shoot 124 or 64, that they show respect to others and carry themselves with dignity.

That cannot be measured by handicap.

When I come back to the game, though I poo poo it with friends and guys I've played with and against, I'm not going to have the game to play the swats that they play, the tourneys that they play(and I've won,lol), or the tees that they play.

Hopefully, I get back there. If not, hey, I'll deal with it. For my current sanity, lol, I've convinced myself that I can get it back. We'll see.

However I will be playing the whites and concentrating on playing the game to shoot the scores necessary to move to the blues, and hopefully the tips once again.

I guess a part of me is skeptical, and not of you, I'm speaking in general here, because what I've seen in the real world, at a club that runs the gamut from a Walker Cupper to guys who will never come within 20 strokes of breaking 100 legitimately, is that these guys that shoot 85+ amd claim to be bombing playable 280-300+yd drives and have wedges into our greens, and this is a track that co-hosted the '03 US Amateur, however these kinda players don't live or are not playing out of Pittsburgh.

I'm not talking about pulling one's driver out 12-14 times and landing 1-3 balls in a pkayable position, though I only know a few guys, 3 to be exact, who can do that.

However, I didn't mean to come off as arrogant and I apologize if I did.

Thank You for your Classy response-

Have a great season my Friend,

My Best,
Richard

[Forged4ever]

As I look at my post and my thoughts, and after reading GR's post to me, the individual that I didn't take into consideration is the individual like GR, and the fact that I haven't seen any "bombers" who can't break 85 or 90 yet can put these 280-300+ yd drives in play, doesn't mean that they don't exist.

I will not be so arrogant as to say that other than I've never seen or met one.

However, if these individuals do indeed play the game, then they are the exception to the rule, and if they want to play for fun, and hit the variety of shots that the tips provide that a pitch and putt game would no give them, then they have as much of a right to play where they want as anyone else.

Hell, being wrong sucks, lol.

Though for those who keep score and the object of your game is to decrease that number in the box, then my post is to you.

Have a Great Day All

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard

[Imp]

I'm a 13. And I played yesterday for a bit with one of the grounds crew. After a few holes, he looked at me and said, "you don't play like a 13 coming out of the bunker like that and your chipping." I said, "Just give it a couple holes" and sure enough couldn't get up and down to save my life, pulled a couple drives into the woods, and a hazard for good measure.

It's only a matter of time before on a course things will go awry. Developing a consistent game is just so maddingly difficult.

[ABgolfer2]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398793797' post='9196453']
[quote name='Forged4ever' timestamp='1398792476' post='9196255']
But to say that you hit the ball too far to play the whites, LMAO?

Paleeeze

Like my teacher would say, you should be on a LD grid, not a golf course, LMAO

Come back and talk to me when you can break either 80 from the whites 80% of the time or 75 from the Blues 90% of the time, LMAO

Have a great season Gents/Gals

Fairways & Greens My Friends,
Richard
[/quote]

Hi Richard and thank you for your input. Just FWIW, I am not trying to make the case that I should be playing the tips off every course, or even that I should be playing the blues for that matter.

I do think that there seems to be a little bit of a misconception about two things that you and some of the better golfers on these forums share.
1) I don't know that you truly grasp how bad some higher handicap golfers' short games (mine included) really are. I could actually play every par 3 from 100 (wedge), every par 4 from 250 (3-wood), and every par 5 from 450 (easily reachable), and I promise you I couldn't shoot even par on anything approaching a consistent basis. Does this mean I should play off the juniors tees?

2) As someone who spends a lot of time working to improve--which I admire greatly and wish I could emulate if time and other responsibilities did not interfere--you and others may have lost touch with the reason that some higher-handicappers continue to play the game. I have a very limited amount of time to play. If I truly wanted to improve, every last moment of that time would be spent on the putting/chipping greens, and practicing pitch shots on the driving range. I would never step foot on a golf course. But what is lost there is the [b]fun[/b]. Why do I need to be able to break par to have fun? And why should I have to play a course in a way that is very different than what the architect intended (drivable par 4s, wedge approach shots on every hole) just because my scoring isn't good? Why is that fun?
[/quote]

Who said golf was supposed to be fun? It's a battle to the death with old man par. Didn't they tell you at the gates?

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398792380' post='9196247']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1398791517' post='9196123']
[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']
While I hear you, I was doing something rather un-WRX-like and giving you an accurate assessment of my game, not inflated. My 265 carry is pretty consistent. When it hits the fairway I typically get at least 275 out of it, though obviously when I (often) miss in the rough roll goes away and I get right around 265. Unless of course I hit a tree, then who knows?

On days my long game is off I don't mind playing whites/reds/whatever since it is challenging even if I play 6-irons off every tee (since I probably STILL) won't hit 8 fairways.

But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

Trying to be different ha... Stop that! Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole.

Driver and wedge is boring and dull...must be hitting lots of fairways, and you're a 13? By design, good golf is always boring. I suppose, I am one of those that like it boring vs exciting and in the junk all the time.
[/quote]

Hey there and thanks for the response. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Particularly "Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole." And therein lies the problem.

I played a 6,000 yard course the other day. I hit 10/14 fairways, and my misses were all playable. I hit 11 greens. I think my longest approach shot was hit with an 8-iron. I shot 78 (par 71). Was it fun? Sure--it's always nice to shoot good scores. But do I wish I had played from a more reasonable distance and challenged myself a little more? Yes, absolutely.

The next day I played the exact same 6,000 yard course. I shot 90. I hit 5 fairways and 4 greens. Did I wish that I was playing from tees that were further back? Definitely not. How much it would have hurt my score is debatable, but I certainly didn't need any extra challenge that day.

As someone who doesn't have enough time to play to ever shake the inconsistency that those two rounds perfectly sum up, does it make more sense to play tees that challenge on the "good days," or the ones that help minimize damage when nothing is going right? And if it's the later, why doesn't everyone just play off the reds every round?
[/quote]

I really don't care what someone's index is, until we're possibly picking the back tees; that's when I ask for index, not how far one hits his driver, and if the person is use to difficulty from that yardage. I know plenty of guys that hit the ball a lot further than me, you're one, but they lack control, even with shorter woods. I truly respect the desire for challenge, but see pace of play and hunting for golf balls as part of the slow play problem. If someone (12-18 index) hits it long, but too often is in the junk, its likely he doesn't have the next shot from the junk, or the one that's needed when he misses the green, etc. Makes for me having to wait too much.

If a 7k course plays fast, I can still get around staying in the 70's, but it has to be fast to help me; which, by the way, I love. I don't miss that many fairways and when I do, it's within 5-15 ft. By the way, if I didn't mention it earlier, I seldom practice anymore. Too many life demands, so I understand your situation. Again, play the tees that minimize damage, till such time as your game isn't as volatile.

Challenge is subjective too... Easy tees still have some challenge. The question is whether or not the golfer can see the challenge for what it is, and able to overcome his ego, to prove to himself, those easy tees are consistently really easy. If, because of length, he just thinks they're easy, that's ego talking. Take care.

[GMR]

Good conversation guys. I appreciate the variety of responses. Hopefully at some point I will gain some consistency to my game, break 80 consistently, and this will cease to be a topic of conversation

In the meantime, I'll probably do what I've been doing: play the tees those in my group want to play, while generally avoiding playing any tees with yardages starting with a 7!

[Forged4ever]

[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398800238' post='9197327']
Good conversation guys. I appreciate the variety of responses. Hopefully at some point I will gain some consistency to my game, break 80 consistently, and this will cease to be a topic of conversation

In the meantime, I'll probably do what I've been doing: play the tees those in my group want to play, while generally avoiding playing any tees with yardages starting with a 7!
[/quote]Welcome to the forum GM!

Have a great season

My Best,
Richard

[AnserMePing]

I was a guest at an exclusive private club that has hosted many national tournaments, and I was very excited to play there. When I arrived, there had been a qualifier tournament that morning, and the course was set up as such, with really tough pin placements. Members were allowed back on after lunch; with their fast greens I was pumped. The twosome we were to meet and play with had canceled, and the member I was with then paired with another twosome, friends of his who were also members. When we arrived at the first tee, these three members asked "which tees" to each other, and one suggested playing the tournament black tees since they were set up. That generated a lot of excitement with those three to play the course from the tips, and see it all....

My typical drive will carry 200 or maybe a bit further on a good day. I shoot mid to low 90s.

Once those three decided the blacks as they'd never "seen the course from back there," they asked my opinion, the only guest in the group. So, of course, to the black we go...long story short, there were fairways I couldn't even reach. We had to look for several of the black tee boxes because they'd never played them before. I was tired of hacking with long clubs on every single hole. By hole 15 or 16, I didn't even care anymore and I love this game, so excited to play a historic course and famed club.

Though a beautiful course, pristine condition, caddies, etc., I did not enjoy the experience, was glad it was over, though I did enjoy the company and the facility and dinner afterwards.

I was lucky to play the course a second time a year later, but from the whites, with a friend who won a foursome at this country club in a blind auction.. It was fantastic, so much more fun and I played well that day.

Playing the tips that day made me realize this game is best enjoyed when played well within your ability and appreciate the athletic ability of the tour players who regularly play those distances.

[KevCarter]

[quote name='AnserMePing' timestamp='1402089527' post='9444921']
I was a guest at an exclusive private club that has hosted many national tournaments, and I was very excited to play there. When I arrived, there had been a qualifier tournament that morning, and the course was set up as such, with really tough pin placements. Members were allowed back on after lunch; with their fast greens I was pumped. The twosome we were to meet and play with had canceled, and the member I was with then paired with another twosome, friends of his who were also members. When we arrived at the first tee, these three members asked "which tees" to each other, and one suggested playing the tournament black tees since they were set up. That generated a lot of excitement with those three to play the course from the tips, and see it all....

My typical drive will carry 200 or maybe a bit further on a good day. I shoot mid to low 90s.

Once those three decided the blacks as they'd never "seen the course from back there," they asked my opinion, the only guest in the group. So, of course, to the black we go...long story short, there were fairways I couldn't even reach. We had to look for several of the black tee boxes because they'd never played them before. I was tired of hacking with long clubs on every single hole. By hole 15 or 16, I didn't even care anymore and I love this game, so excited to play a historic course and famed club.

Though a beautiful course, pristine condition, caddies, etc., I did not enjoy the experience, was glad it was over, though I did enjoy the company and the facility and dinner afterwards.

I was lucky to play the course a second time a year later, but from the whites, with a friend who won a foursome at this country club in a blind auction.. It was fantastic, so much more fun and I played well that day.

Playing the tips that day made me realize this game is best enjoyed when played well within your ability and appreciate the athletic ability of the tour players who regularly play those distances.
[/quote]

It sounds like even though you had a tough day from the blacks, you found the positives and contributed to what was still a fun day for the rest of the group. First Class. I'm really happy to hear you got to go back and enjoy the course from tees that made it fun for you.

Cheers!

Kevin

[diehllane]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1398791517' post='9196123']
[quote name='GMR' timestamp='1398723496' post='9190111']
While I hear you, I was doing something rather un-WRX-like and giving you an accurate assessment of my game, not inflated. My 265 carry is pretty consistent. When it hits the fairway I typically get at least 275 out of it, though obviously when I (often) miss in the rough roll goes away and I get right around 265. Unless of course I hit a tree, then who knows?

On days my long game is off I don't mind playing whites/reds/whatever since it is challenging even if I play 6-irons off every tee (since I probably STILL) won't hit 8 fairways.

But on days I am hitting the ball well off the tee, it is really dull playing driver-wedge on every hole. I don't need 6,000 yards to learn that my short game is terrible--could have gone to a pitch and putt and confirmed as much!!
[/quote]

Trying to be different ha... Stop that! Honestly, how do you know if you're hitting the ball well before teeing off? Even after a small bucket on the range, and picking the tee, I usually don't know that till about the 4-6th hole.

Driver and wedge is boring and dull...must be hitting lots of fairways, and you're a 13? By design, good golf is always boring. I suppose, I am one of those that like it boring vs exciting and in the junk all the time.
[/quote]
I totally agree that good golf is boring.
Pars are not typically exciting unless you made a miraculous save. For the average golfer though, par is a good score. If the average golfer is a 15 handicap, then they are really only shooting 3 pars a round. When they come so infrequently, they make it less boring. They are worth getting excited about.
Great golf is more enjoyable to watch (I'd imagine it's great to play, too).

[puttingmatt]

I always play between 6400 yards or 6600 yards, Color on the tee box matters little for me .

[BHB1]

I play the yellow tees in winter (because the white tees are removed for winter play). Yellow tees on my 9 hole course are OK, but the white tees are used for Handicap Competition, so it is pointless playing on yellow during the summer if you intent to try and improve your handicap through competition.

On the 18 hole course at my club, there is almost no difference in position between the white and yellow tees for most holes (and only one stroke difference between them as far as handicap goes). White tees on the 18 hole course are generally only used for the Club Masters Competitions.

BHB1

[Ampire2121]

My friends are not long hitters not that I am either by wrx standards but we usually play anywhere from 6000 to 6200 which is fine with me as I don't like hitting my driver off the tee as much. I usually only use my driver on par 5s or long par 4. I have the most fun/opp when I play these tees.

I like to play between 6400-6600 which is my comfort zone. 6800 is my max if I really want to challenge myself but that could be a really long day. But those yardage also depends on the course layout.

[Sean2]

Golf is too important to me. I'll play whatever tees I am comfortable playing regardless of where everyone else is playing. I am not playing the blue tees because everyone else is playing there. F that. I'm not going to play back there simply because I don't have the cajones to stand up for myself and play the tees that are suitable for me.

[ABgolfer2]

Courses around here are pretty short compared to the typical wrx-golfer's home course. About 6800 yards from the tips is common so average hitters can easily handle the distance, but there's still a stigma about playing the course at it maximum length. I score about the same either way so ad long ad I'm not playing with all juniors, women, or super seniors whichever tee everyone else picks is fine.

[lbkbob]

[quote name='Augster' timestamp='1396246408' post='8984901']
I have no idea how moving forward a tee box or two makes it "more fun". It's been mentioned twice in this thread, and in many other threads in the past, and I'll probably never understand the "move up and have more fun" thing.
[/quote]

the translation is; "move up and score better".

[Pepperturbo]

This past weekend played a reasonably challenging course with a friend. On the first tee, the two younger guys put with us said they were big hitters. I said we're playing the white 6400yd tees, play where you're comfortable. They hesitated, but said we will play white tees as well. I sure am glad they did.

One guy could out drive me by 20yds, but he was "NEVER", and I mean never, in the fairway; worse, he didn't have the shot from the seriously ugly junk, in his bag. Missing the fairway meant coping with 1-4' high junk or lost ball. Both were hooking, slicing, chunking and thinning everything. It was bothersome to watch too. Even my buddy who plays to a 22 commented while we waited. As long as both were, neither should have been playing even the white tees. Hell, some of their putts were so far off line, it was mind boggling. Both had to have scored well over 100.

I am not convinced moving up to "red" tees would have improved their scoring. Its surely wouldn't make it more fun because misses would be the same and subsequent shots would be just as troubling. Now, for older guys that lack distance, but hit the ball relatively straight, moving up would, more than likely, make the game more fun.