Playing Short Courses

[Fairway_CY]

Hey everybody... I received word from our club director that the course we are playing at on Sunday is 'forcing' us to play from the white tees (5883 yards - 124 rating) as opposed to the blue tees (6334 yards - 127 rating).

It seems that in years past... the guys in the club have had issues when playing from the blue tees and the course doesn't want a huge back-up on what is supposed to be a real nice day. I understand the point of view of the course, but... seeing as we're being charged $110 a person and we're bringing 50 guys with us (it includes lunch but the normal weekend greens fee is $89)... I would think that the course would be more willing to work with us.

Anyway... it's the shortest course I'll have played in quite some time. There are 7 different par 4's on the course that play 350 or less... and 2 of them are 290 or less. In theory... this should make the course MUCH easier for me as I'll be hitting 3 wood off of most tees and leaving myself about 100 - 150 to the greens instead of 150 - 180 after hitting a driver from the blue tees. My issue is that I know I'm going to be tempted to play aggressively.

It's a shotgun start and I'll be teeing off from a 230 yard par 4. It's easily reachable with both a driver and a 3 wood... and I know I HAVE that shot in my bag and there isn't much trouble on the hole... but I KNOW I should hit a 5 iron off the tee and leave myself a stock sand wedge from the fairway.

Trouble is going to be convincing myself to leave the driver in the bag for all but about 5 holes.

Another example is the 2nd hole which will play to only 450 yards, but it's a par 5. Again, easily reachable with a driver and a hybrid. My issue is that there is a pond that crosses the fairway directly in front of the green... leaving all carry, but a large bailout area to the left. I KNOW the smart shot is to hit my 3 wood off the tee, leave myself about 220 (which isn't a good distance for me) and force myself to lay up to about 70 yards. I also know that I'm going to want to get there in two.

So, my question is... without leaving the driver home (I'm going to NEED it on a few holes)... how can I convince myself to play smart? It's a weak area in my game. I've hit the shots in the past... but I don't NEED to hit the shots here. Mentally, I need to get out of my own way.

Any suggestions?

CY

[Sherlockian]

Actually, it sounds like a great idea to me. I wish more courses would do this, short or not. Alot of players go off the blue tees, when they should be off the white and sometimes red. As far as playing aggressively and going for "those" shots, try to play percentage shots to make sure you make a good score. A par on a short par 4, is much better than a bogey or double on a long par 4. Many high handicappers could move into the mid to lows simply by playing smarter, going off the correct tee, and using good course management.

[The Road Dog]

To convince yourself to follow your plan ask yourself, " Do you want to win?"

Of the 5 games internal to golf, the Mental Game is your problem. Only you can
solve this issue.

[rjfan91]

Actually, it sounds like a great idea to me. I wish more courses would do this, short or not. Alot of players go off the blue tees, when they should be off the white and sometimes red. As far as playing aggressively and going for "those" shots, try to play percentage shots to make sure you make a good score. A par on a short par 4, is much better than a bogey or double on a long par 4. Many high handicappers could move into the mid to lows simply by playing smarter, going off the correct tee, and using good course management.

+1 Can't say it much better.

[golfaddiction]

Just work each hole backwards. Think about where you want to be for your 2nd shot and use the proper club to get there. Oh yeah and don't let what anyone else is doing alter what you are doing.

[IcemanYVR]

I think it's a great idea... way too many golfers playing the wrong tees.

In fact until someone is around a 12 handicap or so, they probably should be playing the white tees.

[Blades4me]

LOL, this is where play'n for money works well for me cuz I'll play the high percentage shots. It isn't flashy or particularly impressive, but it works.

I guess my question would be, "so do you want to be a hero or do you want to win?" As earlier posted, just keep reminding yourself of your game stratagy.

Play well.

Personally I really don't care which set of tees ppl play from AS LONG AS THEY KEEP UP THE PACE OF PLAY. I doubt this will come into play, playing a scramble cuz the pace of play for scarmbles is ungodly slow--personal opinion.

[Fairway_CY]

Thanks for the replies, everybody.

Regarding the white tees instead of the blue tees... we're a club that plays a new course every other week. Most guys in the club are between 15.0 and 23.0 handicaps. Our average round (except for the first of the year) is 4.5 hours. That's pretty standard considering we're never first off the tees and we have to wait on others. We also typically play courses at about 6200 to 6400 yards and about a 127 to 130 rating. So... in my opinion (and several others in the club), this move is unfounded.

Anyway... my post was more about my mental game and... I like the thought of playing the hole backwards and continually reminding myself that I need to play smart to win. Somone mentioned it being a scramble... but it's not. Regular medal play tournament with matches played within each foursome.

Again, thanks for the replies!

CY