[Carl Johnson]

Should tee-markers be set so that the entire teeing ground is within the "teeing area"?

I'm using the term "teeing area" to define the larger, level and closely mown area on which the tee-markers are set to create the "teeing ground" as defined by the rules: "The 'teeing ground' is the starting place for the hole to be played. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers. . . ."
No rule of golf that I am aware of requires that the "teeing ground" be level or closely mown, yet the practice is to make the teeing area level and keep it closely mown, so that the golfer comes to expect that the teeing ground within it will also be level and closely mown.

Let's assume two club lengths = 7.5 feet.  Would you say that the tee markers should always be set so that the depth of the teeing ground on the teeing area is 7.5 feet?  Or, would it be "o.k." to set the tee markers so far back in the teeing area that there is only 3.5 feet (for example) in depth of the teeing ground on the teeing area, with the remaining 3 feet of depth of the teeing ground being outside the teeing ground, that is, on ground that is not level or not closely mown, or both?  As I read the rules of golf – no problem with this sort of set up.  But, what do you think of it?

Yes, I am keeping in mind that except sometimes on par threes we tee as far forward as possible, so that from the tee-ball stand point the back part of the teeing ground is irrelevant.  Moreover, where the teeing area is relatively small, practical considerations of turf maintenance may demand that the tee markers be set less than 7.5 feet from the back of the teeing area. Finally, I am aware that the term "teeing ground" has theoretical significance beyond that of where a player may lawfully tee his or her ball.

[Brian Chapin]

I generally try to keep two paces behind the markers on the "teeing area" as you define it.  I am more concerned with keeping the "teeing ground" within the closely mowed turf than I am in keeping it within a perfectly level area.

I think that in setting the course we should allow the player to take advantage of the rules however he/she may see fit.  I like to give enough room, especially on par 3's, to work out gaps in yardages.  The rule book allows for it so why restrict it?

However, I also consider this to be similar to setting hole locations.  Sometimes I need to sneak one in a bit closer to the edge than the  USGA "recommendations" to relieve traffic stress.

[Ted Sturges]

I was a USGA Committeeman for 13 years.  During that time, I was responsible for setting up golf courses for countless sectional qualifying events.  I believe that the tee markers should be set up so that the 2 club lengths provide the golfer with space within the closely mown area that defines the "tee bed".  Setting them up so that measuring 2 club lengths back gets the golfer into the rough behind the "tee bed" is improper in my opinon (although this is not addressed in the rules of golf).

Another helpful hint I would provide in this area is that I believe everyone responsible for setting up tee markers on any golf course should create a small "T square" (I had one made out of PVC pipe).  The T square was very small, but ensured precision in setting out tee markers.  Tee markers should be aimed at the center of the target area (fairway or green).  I would simply lay the T square on the ground, and point the T square at the center of the intended target area.  By doing this, the sides of the T square are now pointing EXACTLY to where the tee markers should be set.  I am always shocked at how often tee markers are aimed well left or well right of the target, which is not only improper, but can serve to confuse golfers.  Using a T square is a cheap, simple way to make sure tee markers are set up the way they should be.

TS

[Scott Sander]

  Tee markers should be aimed at the center of the target area (fairway or green).  I would simply lay the T square on the ground, and point the T square at the center of the intended target area. 
TS

Ted-

How often, if at all, did you encounter holes with enough ambiguity about the target area to make that task difficult?  And how did you handle such situations?

I'm thinking of multiple fairways and yawning doglegs with offset tees - that sort of thing.

Thanks,
Scott

[Ed Brzezowski]

Ted,
Watch 6 at Merion.  The tee sets you up to drive it ob for member play.
I hope it is set that way for the Open.

[Patrick_Sisk,_CGCS]

The teeing ground is an area of the course we pay close attention to during the set up, particularly the ground behind the markers (defined as two club lengths).  Although there is no reason, within the rules of golf, to prevent one from including turf areas mowed at a higher height of cut the fact is that including such areas is not customary.  In fact, while setting up the teeing ground I've found it important to consider "tiered" tees and always try to avoid including any unusually sloped ground.

As for "level areas".  Some would interpret that to mean "perfectly level" and many golf courses have gone to that length.  I've always thought a tee should be pretty darn level with the following thought in mind.  Since it's THE only place on a golf course where a player has absolute control of placement maybe a little tilt here or a little dip there isn't a bad thing.  Some holes call for a fade as other's call for a draw.  If the ground conditions, within the defined area, aid in the execution of that shot shouldn't an astute golfer be permitted to take advantage of that aid, particularly since he's in full control of the placement?

Perhaps some of those great ODG's actually built tees that were just a bit askew to the "perfect" line of play and/or added a little tilt here or there to aid the desired shot.  This game, once upon a time, actually took more thought than it seems to today.

Pat   

[Bill_McBride]

  Tee markers should be aimed at the center of the target area (fairway or green).  I would simply lay the T square on the ground, and point the T square at the center of the intended target area. 
TS

Ted-

How often, if at all, did you encounter holes with enough ambiguity about the target area to make that task difficult?  And how did you handle such situations?

I'm thinking of multiple fairways and yawning doglegs with offset tees - that sort of thing.

Thanks,
Scott

That question could dovetail nicely with the center line bunker thread. 

[Ted Sturges]

 Tee markers should be aimed at the center of the target area (fairway or green).  I would simply lay the T square on the ground, and point the T square at the center of the intended target area.
TS

Ted-

How often, if at all, did you encounter holes with enough ambiguity about the target area to make that task difficult?  And how did you handle such situations?


I'm thinking of multiple fairways and yawning doglegs with offset tees - that sort of thing.

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

Good question.  In more than a decade of officiating, I can't really remember this coming up.  I think the answer is "common sense".  When you look at the hole to be played, and consider the players in the field, you can generally predict where they will be hitting their tee shots.  If a double fairway exists, I would set up the tee markers to be aimed at what I believe will be the primary target fairway.  If players choose to play to the other fairway, they still have the defined teeing ground from which to start.

But...when I play golf courses (both public and private), the tee markers are quite often set up to the right rough, or the left rough, or even toward OB (as someone noted above).  This game is hard enough without setting someone up with an articifical "aiming affect" to direct them into trouble.  The T square idea was given to me by Don Essig III, who is a Master PGA Professional and has worked countless PGA Championships, Masters and Ryder Cups.  He's one of the best rules people in the world and I was fortunate to learn from him.

TS

[Doug Siebert]

If one wants to confuse golfers, rather than setting the tee markers cockeyed, the architect can do that to the teebox itself.  If you have a roughly rectangular teebox that points in the wrong direction, then the tee markers pointed in the correct direction will look a bit off, and may serve to confuse people a bit.  Or at least it sure seems to work that way with me on one hole on my home course with a teebox that points about 15* right of the proper target line.  It takes some extra effort to quiet that little voice in the back of my head telling me that I'm aiming way left.  I have no idea whether this was done deliberately or not.

[Grant Saunders]

I was a USGA Committeeman for 13 years.  During that time, I was responsible for setting up golf courses for countless sectional qualifying events.  I believe that the tee markers should be set up so that the 2 club lengths provide the golfer with space within the closely mown area that defines the "tee bed".  Setting them up so that measuring 2 club lengths back gets the golfer into the rough behind the "tee bed" is improper in my opinon (although this is not addressed in the rules of golf).

Another helpful hint I would provide in this area is that I believe everyone responsible for setting up tee markers on any golf course should create a small "T square" (I had one made out of PVC pipe).  The T square was very small, but ensured precision in setting out tee markers.  Tee markers should be aimed at the center of the target area (fairway or green).  I would simply lay the T square on the ground, and point the T square at the center of the intended target area.  By doing this, the sides of the T square are now pointing EXACTLY to where the tee markers should be set.  I am always shocked at how often tee markers are aimed well left or well right of the target, which is not only improper, but can serve to confuse golfers.  Using a T square is a cheap, simple way to make sure tee markers are set up the way they should be.

TS

Isnt this being a little bit pedantic?

I have never really fully understood the whole argument of perfectly aligned tee markers. Isnt it part of the skill set of the player to be able to line themselves up with their target? People manage it from the fairway all the time without a pair of markers to guide them. Also, I dont really know how it is that you in fact use them to line yourself up. When hitting a shot, you can only see one marker anyhow unless you have eyes in the back of your head.

[Wade Whitehead]

In a tournament at a local course a few years the tee markers on the 15h hole were so far back on the teeing ground that it was impossible to take a backswing without hitting low hanging branches on a nearby tree.

One player in my group pitched a sand wedge to the front of the tee box and hit three wood from there.

WW

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