Hypothetical: get rid of the tee

[Jeff_Mingay]

I think this might have been discussed here in the past. But...

I was chatting with a well-known Canadian golfer (who looks in, but doesn't post here) recently. He was in conversation with some golfers from his home club re: the golf ball.

More than a few in this group suggested getting rid of the tee as a possible solution to cutting down the regularity of long straight driving by golf's best players.

It's an interesting concept...

However, I suspect that if such a rule was implemented, club manufacturers would simply modify the head of drivers accordingly, and we'd be back to arguing about regulating that particular club (again) in response!  

We all know what the only solution to the golf ball problem is. But, for the sake of discussion, what would happen if the tee was outlawed at the highest levels of competitive play?  

[TEPaul]

Jeff:

The USGA just reiterated that they've asked all the manufacturers to give them prototype balls that go 15 and 25 yards less far that they can test in the tech center and with real golfers.

They have also announced they are looking at three areas with perhaps a thought towards new I&B rules and regs;

1. MOI
2. Spin generation
3. the ball

What do you think of that?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Tom,

I don't think much of it. Because there's a big difference between conducting more and more tests and actually doing something about the ball.

We'll see what transpires.

[Rick Shefchik]

Jeff -

I can think of at least two fairly lengthy discussions here on abolishing the tee to limit distance, and I'm pretty sure the consensus was that it would never happen, and even if it could come to pass, there wasn't much enthusiasm for it.

My position, however, is let's try it. Tees were not invented until well after the game itself came into being. Nobody says we have to keep them. It's my opinion that we need to look for simpler solutions to the distance issue, rather than complicated, expensive ones. This qualifies.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

See Prior Thread:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=20023

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

James W. Keever
Full Member


Posts: 385



"Ah, Bushwood!"

  Re:No More Pegs!
« Reply #46 on: October 04, 2005, 01:30:27 pm »      

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Get rid of the tees...please!

Driver off of the deck is my $ shot!

Do it!

In regards to distance, I lose about 20 yards in neutral conditions, but hit many more fairways.  I use the 8.5 degree driver off of the deck every time I need to hit the fairway.

JWK  

[Troy Alderson]

hitting off the deck would focus the golfer on controlling the club more.  to all those that can hit off the deck with a driver, more power to ya.  I have a very difficult time doing it.  I would think we would see the 3wood come out more to get some loft to the ball.  why stop with the tee though?  let's get rid of drivers, 3woods, etc. and play only with irons.  a driving iron still gets you out about 250+ and still leaves plenty of hole to play.  when I need to hit the fairway and my driver (9.5 taylor made burner plus at 20 years old) is not cooperating, I take out the 2iron and still have a mid iron into the green.  IMHO, the ball is the biggest culprit along with tees.  modern clubs have a bigger sweet spot, but still do not lengthen the shot as much as the ball and tee does.

Troy