By Jim Cowan
T he NCGA has long championed the idea of playing from the set of tees where a golfer will most enjoy the course.
I believe I wrote my first column on the subject more than 20 years ago. And for a time, it seemed as though the message was falling on deaf ears. Men’s ratings from non-traditional, shorter tees, were going unused.
That all changed about 10-15 years ago. Now when I visit a course, I am proud to say I see many golfers not only utilizing these shorter tee offerings but encouraging others to join them. And now there is data to share with golf courses that quantify this pent-up demand and offer a path forward.
One of the lesser-known aspects of the USGA/ R&A Distance Insights Project concerns the availability of forward-enough tees for shorter-hitting players to have the right challenge and player experience to suit their game. An analysis of scores posted nationally suggests that half of all men and three-quarters of women are playing from tees that are too long for their game. Why?
The reasons vary from ego issues to peer pressure, to gender and age stigmas, etc. But in many instances, it is simply a lack of options that deny golfers the opportunity to play a set of tees best suited for their game.
So, what constitutes the “ideal set of tees?” One school of thought, supported by most golfers, is that a set of tees is a good fit for a golfer’s ability when it allows them to comfortably reach the fairway on par 4s and par 5s, reach most greens in regulation, and allows them to hit a variety of clubs on their approach shots. Based upon such a formula, a golfer who hits it 150 yards off the tee, for example, would be best suited playing a set of tees in the 4,400-yard range. Sadly, less than 30% of all golf courses in the US offer a forward set of tees that measure less than 4,600 yards.
What are the benefits of playing tees best suited to your game? From a golfer’s perspective, lower scores equate to more fun! From a golf course operators’ standpoint, faster pace of play translates to happier customers. And the best news yet, surveys suggest that if a golf course invests in new, shorter tees, they will be gobbled up by golfers. The USGA is developing tools and promotional materials to help courses steer their players to the proper tees. These tools can identify the ideal golfer characteristics for each tee offered and project the playing experience and approach shot club for any golfer on any tee.
Look for further insight on this subject in the Governance column of future NCGA Golf Magazine issues as more information becomes available to share.