Tees-What tees?!

[Peter Sayegh]

My first post! Be kind-and honest.
I've never been to ANGC but I know I would (aside from my host's wishes) want to play the "whole" course. Handicap be darned, but I'd like to see the whole terrain.
Anyway, my question here is simple. When playing a course for the first time what tees do you play and why?
Do you play to your handicap or play the tips(as I do)? What influences what tees you play from?
Aside from what I know(not much), how many architects(modern, specifically) pay mind to playability/stragety regarding multiple tees?

P.S. I'm glad to be here and I thank all of you for your insight and pictures(especially/encouraged!)

[John Kavanaugh]

I usually play whatever tees my host suggests...I play little public golf because of people who play the wrong tees....but that's fine and completely my own choice.

btw...welcome..

[Jim Johnson]

Welcome Peter.

I like to play the tees which are closest to about 6,400 total yards. I don't like playing shorter (i.e. 6,000 yards) tees simply because they are too "short" for me.

Playing from the "tips" is out. Honestly, I'm not good enough, nor sadistic enough.  

I play to a 15 handicap.

JJ

[Tim MacEachern]

Play the tees you think you can break 80 from.  Don't move back a set until you break 80 from those tees.

So, start from the whites (usually), once you break 80 from there, go to the blues, etc.

[Bob_Huntley]

If you can't shoot even par from the front, why go to the back?

Bob

[Peter Sayegh]

If you can't shoot even par from the front, why go to the back?

Bob,
  This is what I was getting at, I think. I'm not not talking about score. It's about the course and how you choose to play it. My experience is limited, but I shoot 88 from the tips and 88 from the forward tees at the same course. Is that an indictment of my game or the capriousness of the tees played

[Jason Topp]

I like to play wherever my playing partners are most comfortable and will have the best time.  If I am with my father that means 6000 yards and with certain friends it is 7000 yards.  

Someone on this site suggested playing from the front tees to try and get used to making more birdies.  I have tried that a few times and really find it fun to bring the par fives within range.

[Don Dinkmeyer]

6000 to 6500. I don't want to be wailing away on a "utility" club for every 2nd shot and par 3  

Welcome!

[Peter Sayegh]

Just read Brad Klein's review of True Blue this morning.
In it, he writes, "four of the five par 3s can be reach with short irons (if played from the proper tees)..."
Would his assessement differ without this caveat?

[Tom Huckaby]

I'm with Jason - whatever the people I'm with want to play is fine by me.  I find it less fun when different people play different tees.  It can work in certain situations, but heck I'd just as soon move up or back to stay with the group.

If I get to choose, it's very very rarely the tips.  I have no tee ego and do enjoy having success more than getting beaten on.

TH

[Brad Klein]

Peter, the best way to play the whole course is to finish out those 2-3 foot putts. As for tees to play from chose the ones that will best allow you to play to a net 73-75 or so if you play well.

[Evan Fleisher]

I'm not a long hitter, so I usually look for the tees in the 6,300-6,600 range for my comfort level.  No ego problems for my game...so playing from the tips is rarely (if ever) a consideration.

That being said, I'll occasionally move back to either simply check out a back tee or play from there if it is a "special" shot, like the 3rd hole at Mauna Kea...how can you NOT try that tee shot?!?!?  

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