Tee It Up for Fun Not Ego!

First let me say that I’m sorry for the delay since the last post. I’ve been busy teaching, playing, & learning…tis’ the season . Working with a number of my students in my indoor golf bay and out on the course and trying to get a few rounds in for myself.

Sometimes a round of golf is slow and it can become annoying even maddening, so here’s my opinion for good or bad or just something that might make you say, hmmm.

I personally wish there was a simple solution but there are some things that you can do that can make your round of golf productive and fun. First the average drive off the tee is about 200 yards for men. Therefore, the tee shot is between 175 to 225 yards, which is almost two football fields long. Try to think about each hole in incremental terms, so instead of teeing it up on a hole that’s 390 yards and you try to kill your driver; tee it forward and break it up into manageable pieces.  Then you have a shorter iron for your shot into the green which increases your chance to make par. Golf is a mental jungle gym so there is no room for ego, tee it up at 350 to 375 yards which gives you a comfortable drive, a nice shot in and a better chance at par, birdie or at least bogey. Needless to say it’s way more FUN!

Back in 2011, The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association partnered to support “TEE IT FORWARD,” to help golfers have more fun on the course and enhance their overall experience by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities.

TEE IT FORWARD encourages golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance. Golfers can speed up play by using tees that provide the greatest playability and enjoyment.

Barney Adams, the founder of Adams Golf, provided the concept that led to TEE IT FORWARD. By playing from forward tees, amateur golfers have the chance to play the course at the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. The playing field is leveled by giving golfers the opportunity to play from distances that are properly aligned with their abilities.

With many more golfers hitting approach shots with 6- and 7-irons instead of hybrids and long irons, their chances for enjoyment increase. Also, playing from forward tees should result in fewer overall shots, shorter distance traveled on each hole, and potentially, fewer lost balls.

Teeing it forward is not a negative thing and shouldn’t be seen as a weakness or less than. Instead, approach this golf course strategy as a way to score more birdies, pars and maybe bogey’s. You’ll enjoy your round much more and feel proud of your game instead of frustrated.

I have included the TEE IT FORWARD chart produced by the PGA/USGA to be a guideline from where you should hit from based upon your driving distance.