Tee it Forward Now 10 Years Old
Note: significant comments and research below provided by Joseph F Beditz, Ph.D. of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), and Janina Jacobs, Governor of the GAM.
Edited by Tom Lang
Ten years ago, the PGA of America and the USGA announced a joint initiative encouraging golfers to play from tee boxes that best suited their golf game.
I for one fully support the measure in leisure golf.
Tee It Forward was inspired by Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf, who believed many golfers were playing from tees that were too long given how far they hit their drives. The concept and the campaign were well received. Golf editorial support was widespread and a television PSA featuring Jack Nicklaus spoke to golfers.
Recent survey’s by the NGF found that 73% could recall Tee It Forward, but only 30% had actually moved up in the past 5-10 years – and most of them were over the age of 50. Certainly not everyone needed to make a leap forward, but the ones who did and followed the Tee it Forward campaign’s advice, have almost unanimously enjoyed the benefits. More than 80% say they’ve had more fun.
Also at 80% is the number of golfers who answered that golfers playing from the wrong tee for their game is a “big problem.” So, why don’t more golfers move up? Most would say it’s because human behavioral changes in consumers and operators require a lot of time, effort and intervention. National advertising helps create needed awareness, but is insufficient to overcome the inertia of ego, convenience and conformity, which golfers – virtually all of them – willingly admit stand in the way. Perhaps so does the effects of a club in one hand and a beer in the other while razzing your buddies.
“I’m just a 90’s shooter now….” said former collegiate golfer Anthony P., who shot mid-70’s during his competitive days. “I can’t reach greens but my playing buddies object if I move forward.”
Rotator cuff surgery further curbed Anthony’s mobility, and distance faded significantly. Still fit at age 67, with a 14-handicap, he continues to play his home club at the ‘regular men’s’ yardage of 6500, about 900 yards too long for his 185-yard drives. Again, the only skill lacking is distance. If he used tees equal to his driving ability, single digit handicaps would probably return.
Still, it should be noted that some golf course operators are having success in getting their customers to play the correct tees.
Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President Golf Operations and Resort Sales at Boyne Resorts addressed these issues years ago. “We started with four tees and now have six tee options at all our courses as of 2018. We encourage our guests to play from yardages they are used to and not the perceived colors that have been associated with both genders.
“Having six tees gives our guests the ability to play that ‘combo’ tee option and have fun.” he added. “Four of our courses are between 4,100 and 4,500 yards from the Silver tees. And, we decreased our course watering by 50% in fairways so that the grass is firmer, which results in a golf ball going further. It's a lot more fun to hit an 8-iron than a 4-iron and this gives players the chance to feel good about their game and not become discouraged.”
For avid women seniors who wish to post legal scores, options are scarce. They can play from the shortest forward tees to greens they cannot reach, and watch scores rise. Or they can play from junior or family tees, unrated for them, and not post those scores.
Washtenaw Golf Club in Ypsilanti had better ideas: After playing with his many students, Operating Partner and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Dave Kendall took action.
“It became evident the most forward tees were too long to provide a pleasant experience for my players,” he said. “Moving them to the beginning of the fairway helps make the game more welcoming to all. As golf course operators, we should do everything we can to broaden the appeal of golf to as many as possible.”
