Thursday, August 16, 2012

Which Tees to Use?

The National Golf Foundation asked:

What method do you use most often to choose the yardage (set of tees) you will play from in a given round of golf?
Based on a total yardage I have in mind
45%
Based on the color I normally play
23%
Based on wind or weather
6%
Based on the ability of my weakest playing partner
9%
Based on the nature of the round (fun vs. a competitive)
5%
Based on how fast I want to play
0%
I play whatever tees my playing partners choose
12%

I was surprised by the responses and wondered if the responses would be the same if one was playing in a business-golf round.

The 23% who responded that they chose the tees based on the normal color that they play could have a rude awakening at a new course. There is no standard color for tees based on location, e.g. black for the tips, blue for back tees, white for the middle and red for the front tees. Some courses, especially newer courses, have new colors at different locations. If playing based solely on color, a person may end up playing from inappropriate tees for their game.

For the business golfer, the 12% had the best response which is to play whatever tees my playing partners choose. The one caveat is during a business golf round, you might be playing from tees that are more difficult for you than what your game can handle. In which case, you need to either play fast or pick up when need be, if your playing partners get impatient with you.

I'm playing more courses now, and since I'm not playing as much, I'll choose the yardage that I'm used to and even the tees slightly less than my usual. To choose a longer distance is too punishing for us, recreational and business golfers.

Which answer would you give? 


3 comments:

John said...

I never consider the yardage of the course. I usually just play the tees I am used to.

John

Golfzoo said...

Base on the wind/weather. Why? Because it is so difficult to play when the weather is crap..

Southwest Greens of San Antonio said...

I too play with the tees I'm used to to distinguish yardage.