Handicap and Tee Box Correlation

**trickymicky69** · August 6, 2010

I play from the back tees most of the time as a high-handicapper its much easier.

No bunkers or water in play because they are miles away from the tips

**Fourputt** · August 6, 2010

I play the middle tees at my home course (6400 yards) most of the time. My handicap was established from there, and with my length that's what is appropriate. I can play the tips at almost 7000, but I don't generally enjoy it as much because I have to hit too many 3W's into par 4 greens.... and still can't reach some of them. I played a Nicklaus course in Anaconda Montana which is over 6700 from the middle tees... the next shorter tees are 6144. The course goes from too long for me to too short. And the tips are over 7700,, something I'd never even consider.

I try to pick a tee set where I can enjoy the course but still get some challenge too. I don't worry about bunkers and hazards so much as just finding a length that suits my distances, where I can play different clubs on approach shots. I don't mind if I can't always hit driver off the tee. Contrary to some opinions, that isn't a mandate to play golf. What is mandated for playing good golf is using your head to think your way around the course, and courses which require that are the most fun for me, no matter how long or what tees I play.

**Chief Broom** · August 6, 2010

The only thing that bothers me is when you see people playing the back tees when there are groups behind them and they obviously don't have any business playing from back there. That's a job for the starter or marshall to step in and move them up.

**double_j** · August 6, 2010

My sweet spot tends to be a rating around 72/73 and a slope in the low 130's. That tends to be a nice balance of challenge and fun.

I'm long enough to handle the back tees at my home courses (74/134) but they just leave me feeling too beat up afterwards. Still, it's nice to be able to say "I shot a XX from the tips" (provided, of course, that the score was good. Otherwise it's a really good excuse as to why you blew up that day).

**sean_miller** · August 6, 2010

I play from the back tees most of the time as a high-handicapper its much easier.

I hear you on that. I played my best 9-holes tee-to-green last Friday, playing with a persimmon driver, 2-wood, and 4-wood in the bag instead of a G10, Launcher 3w, and 19.5 degree Fybrid. I was short of the bunkers with the 2 and 4 wood, but could still get it out there with the driver. I hit all 7 fairways. My putting was atrocious (three 3-putts) but still had a decent round.

**case31** · August 6, 2010

I recently played Purgatory Golf Course here in Indiana. From the tips, it is over 7700 yards (including a 700 yard par 5). After purchasing new irons last week, I wanted to play an upscale course and one I had not played in a while. I played from the next tee in from the tips (7350 yards), and thought it was GREAT! Until that round, I had not played longer than 7100 yards. It was a nice challenge having 5 or 6 iron approaches to par 4s. I shot 78, and felt I left some shots out there. The experience makes me want to play longer distances more often.

**sean_miller** · August 6, 2010

I recently played Purgatory Golf Course here in Indiana. From the tips, it is over 7700 yards (including a 700 yard par 5). After purchasing new irons last week, I wanted to play an upscale course and one I had not played in a while. I played from the next tee in from the tips (7350 yards), and thought it was GREAT! Until that round, I had not played longer than 7100 yards. It was a nice challenge having 5 or 6 iron approaches to par 4s. I shot 78, and felt I left some shots out there. The experience makes me want to play longer distances more often.

Sometimes there's not a lot of difference from the back tee to the regular men's tee. But occasionally you get a hole where the standard driver/sand wedge becomes driver/5-iron. It's a really nice change of pace - if you can hit the fairway.

**steelernation** · August 6, 2010

I have had the misfortune of watching a 4some tee off from the tips on a 139 slope 73+ rated 7300 yard course. The first tee shot wasnt great but middle fairway 200 yards on a 400 yard par 4. The next three went a little different. Sir Shanksalot hits into the adjacent tee mound pops and rolls into heather. Next was the Lothar destroyer of worms, teeing off from a 10 foot high tee box he manages a negative 5 degree shot into the mound opposite which is covered in Heather. Lastly was their long ball hitter, Brian Dawkins, no really I think it was him. He hits the ball a massive 4 inches.

Three shots later their all out of site but the round last 6 hours! PAINFUL

**case31** · August 6, 2010

Sometimes there's not a lot of difference from the back tee to the regular men's tee. But occasionally you get a hole where the standard driver/sand wedge becomes driver/5-iron. It's a really nice change of pace - if you can hit the fairway.

True. I think the main motivation to play at that distance was because I knew I would need every club in my bag at least once. Normally, I'll go multiple rounds without ever hitting a 5-iron. There was a stretch where I took it out of the bag for an extra wedge and didn't miss it. I think with the new distances I have with these new clubs, it will be different.

**steelernation** · August 6, 2010

for the record I play 6500 to 6800 yards usually. its not the distance for me its the playing partner or my consistency.

**msd3075** · August 6, 2010

I kinda look up to the guy that plays from different tees seeing as he isn't giving into his ego and just playing the "tough" tees so he can brag to his friends. He's just out having fun and mixing it up a bit so he can enjoy as much of the game as possible.

**mrmiller8** · August 6, 2010

The sets of tees really don't matter that much they are all reflected in the handicap anyway. I love to play different sets of tees for a couple of reasons especially the shorter ones, but I play the tips a lot as well. One being that its freaking fun! Two I play the same courses a lot and like a change of pace and new dimension to each hole. The other time I would do it is when your playing with someone not as skilled as you are and makes you play a different game. A low handicapper can always go down on the teeboxes but a high handicapper cannot always go higher on the teeboxes and nor should he becuase he will slow play and probably not have a very good time.

**DavidFehertysBike** · August 6, 2010

I shot -5 from the ladies tees once.. Only 180 yard second shot into a par 5? It felt like i was on tour! lol

**Kieran123** · August 6, 2010

I make my own set of tees, 40 yards behind the tips. Sometimes I am back on the previous green or on a road, or in someones backyard.

Wera285 · August 6, 2010

I like to play from the back tees. To me its more fun when you get to use the long irons. I can also hit 250+ down the fairway consistently. If your hitting it in the woods every drive then you should definitely move up.