When do you move to a shorter set of tees?

[Jud_T]

Sean,

I agree that this is more of a US issue.  Probably at least half the guys playing the blues at your local club or CCFAD should be playing the whites.

[Sean_A]

Sean,

I agree that this is more of a US issue.  Probably at least half the guys playing the blues at your local club or CCFAD should be playing the whites.

Jud

In fact, unless I play a medal, about the only times I see medal tees is with GCAers.  I will play back a bit and not cause a fuss, but I almost always prefer to play forward.  My motto when you can consistently shoot par or better, move back a set of tees.  Until then, take stock of how your skills and be realistic.

Mind you, there is the argument to be made that because the difficulty is there it should be tried; much like a musician trying to play a piece he is not (nor likely ever will be) good enough to complete with satisfactory results.  The one difference is most musicians spare us listening to them for 4 or 5 hours before they have the music down!  If only golfers could be so courteous.

Ciao

[Rob_Waldron]

I recently came to the realization that despite the scorecard of my homecourse indicating that par was 71, the back tees played as a Par 75 for me. Three of the par three holes require a wood for the second shot in hope that I can reach the green in two, thereby increasing par for me by 3 shots. There are two par 3 holes that typcally require a wood as well. For the benefit of doubt I will add allocate 1/2 shot for each of these two holes. Subsequently my par is 75. From the white tees I can reach all par 3 and par 4 holes with an iron so I guess par is still 71. Of course I cannot convince my bonehead buddies, most of whom are also distance challenged to move forward a set of tees. 

I used to target playing a course distance between 6,900 to 7,100 yards. When I turned 50 that distance was reduce to something between  6,400 to 6,600 yards. After shoulder surgery and facing my 55th birthday next month I believe it is now time to re-adjust my targeted yardage to between 6,100 to 6,500 yards. At least I may be able reach something besides a par 5 in regulation.....

[Phil Benedict]

I recently came to the realization that despite the scorecard of my homecourse indicating that par was 71, the back tees played as a Par 75 for me. Three of the par three holes require a wood for the second shot in hope that I can reach the green in two, thereby increasing par for me by 3 shots. There are two par 3 holes that typcally require a wood as well. For the benefit of doubt I will add allocate 1/2 shot for each of these two holes. Subsequently my par is 75. From the white tees I can reach all par 3 and par 4 holes with an iron so I guess par is still 71. Of course I cannot convince my bonehead buddies, most of whom are also distance challenged to move forward a set of tees. 

I used to target playing a course distance between 6,900 to 7,100 yards. When I turned 50 that distance was reduce to something between  6,400 to 6,600 yards. After shoulder surgery and facing my 55th birthday next month I believe it is now time to re-adjust my targeted yardage to between 6,100 to 6,500 yards. At least I may be able reach something besides a par 5 in regulation.....

Rob,

I'm 59 and just had shoulder surgery.  Noticed some distance loss before the surgery but still felt up to playing courses at around 6.600.  Haven't hit a ball since the surgery.  Surgeon said it would take 4-6 months before I could play again.