Something every golfer has to face in life is when to tell it is time to move to the forward tees.
The problem is, most golfers fight the need to move up and shorten the course to their reduced length off the tee.
As a result, they start hurting their game by overswing which we all have seen and it does not turn out well.
Pete Dye, the mad scientist of golf architecture, always has most challenging tees on his course, the ones farthest from the holes, obscured by landscaping, trees or other natural terrain elements. When asked why Dye said smiling mischievously,
“That’s to hide them from the ding-a-lings who don’t belong there.”
Personal Experience
This year was the year I decided to make the move and I have found I now enjoy playing golf again. Yes, it was a tough decision and one I got a lot of jeers from my friends who still carry the professional status.
Before I making the move forward I found all I was doing when I hit from the back tee was wearing myself out attempting to control the ball. Plus, the years of torquing my back to snap through the ball with enough speed to make 225 carries took its toll on my back resulting in needing back surgery.
As I mentioned, I share in the feeling of humiliation when they tell their friends they are moving the forward tees. Being ridiculed and feeling they will eventually replace socially are true concerns. Sometimes that happens but it probably is better to make the decision yourself than your posse tells you.
People who insist on playing the most challenging tees always have a reason:
- “I want to see the whole course.”
- “I want my money’s worth.”
- “Playing from the back is the only way to compare my game to pro golfers.”
- “It’s the only way to get better.”
Think of Those Behind You on The Golf Course
I am sure I am not alone with having to spend a Hot summer afternoon behind a group of guys who can’t carry the front tees from the back tees. Here in Texas, I can’t count the times I have had to watch the Ft Worth Rule being executed. That should be the first sign for the need to play a forward tee.
These guys I am talking about who needs to move to the forward tees don’t because…. by-golly, “I’m not degrading myself to play from the forward tees.”
As a result the groups behind them get to watch each person in the group hit at least two balls off the tees and most of the time two balls off the fairway and then line up their 3 ft putt for what I am sure they put on their scorecard as a Bogey but should have been scored a triple or worse.
And of course there will be a lot of shouting ..I’ll takes that one as my mulligan..breakfast ball…provisional. Whatever, it probably would not have been needed if they played from the forward tee.
The Signs To Watch For
But enough of the problem…what are some of the signs telling a golfer it is time to move to the forward tee?
I took the time to make a list of indicators that are telling golfers they need to start playing from the forward tee boxes.
Some of those indicators were:
- If the beverage girl has made her rounds to your group twice on the same hole it probably is time to consider picking up the pace by hitting your tee shot from the forward tee.
- If both of your sand containers are empty from filling your divots and you are only on your forth hole it might be time to move up to the forward tee.
- If it takes you a dozen golfs to play nine holes it could be time you move to the forward tees.
- If you can’t see the forward tees from the back tees it probably is time to move to the forward tees.
- If you get an invitation from the men’s golf association to join the women’s golf association it probably is time to think about moving up to the forward tees.
- If it takes a diver off the deck for your second shot on a par three…it probably is time to think about moving to the forward tees.
Don’t wait until you are told to move forward. Just do it…everyone has to at some point..just do it on your terms.
Let me know how I can help.
