A thread about 'Joe Sixpack' got me to thinking about what tees people choose, and why. I must choose short tees because, as I said there, 200 yd tees shots are a happy occasion for me; and I try to make all par-4s at least theoretically reachable in regulation.

My question: Could you? If you were getting a bit older, and all your partners still were hitting big, but you were not, could you move up? What if it was all the way to 5000 yd? What if it was labled 'Lady's tees'? Or would you find some excuse to stop playing, pleading 'health' of 'busy' issues? Or perhaps would you insist on still playing back, no matter how out of reach GIR became?

Doug

boy I have no problem playing different tees than others in my group Huck...why should I let total strangers "dictate" which tees I should play, esp when they should move up??

Jerry, i believe as Father Time marches on and I get shorter and weaker off the tee I will move up...and if I don't and am playing with any of you guys pls mention it to me!

Doug,  I'm pleased to find someone else on this DG who is pleased with a 200 yard drive.  We must play together some day!  In the UK, generally speaking, you don't have any option about which tees to use.  On most courses in the competition season there are two men's tees (white and yellow) and one ladies' (red).  If you were seen playing from the ladies' tees there would be a complaint from the ladies to the Secretary and you would be sent a curt note never to play there again.  For club competitions you play the white tees.  Visitors normally play the yellows unless granted dispensation by the Secretary or Professional.  At many clubs social golf by members is allowed only from the yellow tees, although Conwy, my home club allows members to play the white course at any time.  The championship courses usually have several sets of men's tees, but there is not usually an option of which tee you may use.  A competition will be off one specified tee, other play off another specified tee.  Occasionally there are separate seniors' or juvenile tees.  With cards automatically counting for handicap when submitted for a competition (and there are a lot of men's competitions at many clubs - 3 or 4 a week in the summer plus seniors') you simply cannot have any leeway over the tee of the day.

Many of the resort/coprporate golf courses have several sets of tees, but you are very rarely given an option about which to use.  They almost invariably seem to set people off on the shortest men's tees whether their handicap is 2 or 22.  

Quote from: Paul Thomas on January 10, 2007, 10:47:32 AM

boy I have no problem playing different tees than others in my group Huck...why should I let total strangers "dictate" which tees I should play, esp when they should move up??

The question isn't really about total strangers.  Heck in your AZ situation I too would have played where I want to play and let these yahoos suffer.  Hell I've done that... it is rather hard for me to stomach at first, but after a few holes when it's clear who's having fun and who's suffering, well the ego is soothed.

No, the question is more with people you know, one way or the other....

For example that famous/infamous round at Callippe Preserve, if I would have pushed to play tips and all others joined me, would you have comfortably stayed at middle tees?  You have to have SOME ego....

 

Huck, if those tips are 6800 or more I won't play em, even with you!   ...just too damn long for me...I'd be wearing out my fw woods and hybrid if I did, which is no fun

I normally play the back tees where ever I play unless I am playing with a certain group then it is usually the middle. If it is for fun. if it is a little more serious they make me play the back while they play up to kind of even the field a little. I dont mind playing from the up tees it means I can score a little better which is always fun.

As long as I get my properly allocated shots (hdcp strokes), I could care less.  Having said that, it's not a lot of fun playing behind where you ought to play.  I'm just referring to a game where I'm the shortest off the tee of a group.  In that case I'm going to play where the group plays but be properly handicapped.

I propose we tee off from the tips on every hole with the exception of #1 at PD.

Doug,

I started a thread on a similar subject a couple of years ago and the concensus seemed to be that good manners and tradition dictate everyone plays from the set of tees picked, in order of priority, by: a) the host, b) the shortest player specially if age is a factor, and c) the majority.

Personally, I prefer that everyone hit from where they are comfortable provided that it doesn't sacrifice safety as well as the speed, continuity, and spirit of the round.  I've played in groups using three different sets of tees with no problems.

I also generally prefer playing the back tees so long as the course is under 7200 yards at sea level with some roll.  In neutral conditions, my drives probably carry 225-230 yards, so I am now a medium-short hitter.  From this distance I get to use all the clubs in my bag and I get to see the whole course.  When I can't reach the longish par 4s in regulation with a solid drive, I'll know that it's time to move up.    

I also generally prefer playing the back tees so long as the course is under 7200 yards at sea level with some roll.  In neutral conditions, my drives probably carry 225-230 yards, so I am now a medium-short hitter.  From this distance I get to use all the clubs in my bag and I get to see the whole course.  When I can't reach the longish par 4s in regulation with a solid drive, I'll know that it's time to move up.    

Lou, I think 200 yards is still pretty much the average for the typical male golfer.  That means your 225-230 yard drives put you in the medium-long category!

  ... I knew it. ROTC 4 life

What is this about a Bandon trip?  The invitation must have come during the blackout following my move.

Cassandra,

I used to be much longer.  Within my handicap group and people I often play with, I am medium-short.  Just this Saturday I couldn't get within 30 yards of one guy, 20 of another, and usually 5-10 yards from the much straighter, sweet swingin'  Lynn Shackelford.  It does not make me a happy golfer, but such is life.  Regardless, I'd rather shoot an 86 from the back tees than a 78 form the middle set.  Maybe this is evidence of a secure ego.  

Oh man this is going to be great Huck and Hendren with huge afros and Mr. Benham with a red soul patch. They May not let our group Play.

I recently was hosted at a club by a very nice fellow, and he and our other playing partner were both longer than I. Typically, I would have played from a forward set of tees, but I had not met either of these gentlemen before, and felt like I'd miss out on the companionship and cameraderie of a first meeting if I played a different set of tees. The course itself was not exceptionally long, and there were few forced carries I was unable to make. I had a great time, loved the course, and met a couple of good guys. My only hope is that I didn't slow them down too much. If I played the course again, I'd probably move up.