Playing the back tee's, when to move

[Mr3Wiggle]

Par 3's are usually where you will notice the difference.  Back tees can turn a scoring hole where you could be hitting 7 iron or less into a hole where you're just trying to hit the green with a long iron or hybrid.  On some courses (usually the better ones) the back tees give you tougher angles off the tee which make the hole more intimidating (narrower, require a shot shape, longer forced carry).

[TourSpoon]

Personally, if you can keep pace, play from any tee anywhere you want. However, if the course is crowded and you are holding people up because you can't touch the forced carries or 225 yard par 3 then it is time to move up. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting when the group in front of you decides to play the US Open from the Tips and no one can sniff breaking 90.

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

Par 3's are usually where you will notice the difference.  Back tees can turn a scoring hole where you could be hitting 7 iron or less into a hole where you're just trying to hit the green with a long iron or hybrid.  On some courses (usually the better ones) the back tees give you tougher angles off the tee which make the hole more intimidating (narrower, require a shot shape, longer forced carry).

Par 3s are definitely a big difference.  I also however think par 4s are a big difference (maybe the biggest difference) as well.

It's a wake up call for many the first time playing from the tips when you step onto any 450+ par 4. In order to play well, you must get the ball moving to have a decent second shot (length wise) to the green on longer par 4s.  Any hook drive, slice that barely travels 210 yards on a longer par 4 is a recepie for doubles and triples.  When playing from the tips, there are much more longer par 4s.

When playing from the whites, you have a lot of par 4s under 400 yards.  That 210 yard hook still gives you under 200 yards onto the green.  You can hit a punch and roll the ball up or get lucky if you have a view and hit a nice mid iron onto the green.  On a 450+ yard par 4, you still have 240+ yards to the green.  The chance for saving par is MUCH lower in that circumstance.

Whenever I play with someone who hasn't really played from the tips and wants to try it out, it's the par 4s that always kill them.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Deryck Griffith

Par 3s are definitely a big difference.  I also however think par 4s are a big difference (maybe the biggest difference) as well.

It's a wake up call for many the first time playing from the tips when you step onto any 450+ par 4. In order to play well, you must get the ball moving to have a decent second shot (length wise) to the green on longer par 4s.  Any hook drive, slice that barely travels 210 yards on a longer par 4 is a recepie for doubles and triples.  When playing from the tips, there are much more longer par 4s.

When playing from the whites, you have a lot of par 4s under 400 yards.  That 210 yard hook still gives you under 200 yards onto the green.  You can hit a punch and roll the ball up or get lucky if you have a view and hit a nice mid iron onto the green.  On a 450+ yard par 4, you still have 240+ yards to the green.  The chance for saving par is MUCH lower in that circumstance.

Whenever I play with someone who hasn't really played from the tips and wants to try it out, it's the par 4s that always kill them.

I could definitely see that.  Playing long par 4s can be quite the grind.  Especially if you start swinging too hard on the tee thinking you need to really put it out there to reach the green in 2.

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

I could definitely see that.  Playing long par 4s can be quite the grind.  Especially if you start swinging too hard on the tee thinking you need to really put it out there to reach the green in 2.

Absolutely.  Which is why I strongly believe in the "tee it forward" program (responding to the OP original post).

It's time to move when you can consistently average a particular distance off of the tee as per the Tee it Foward chart below...

Driver Distance	Recommended 18-Hole Yardages
275	6,700-6,900
250	6,200-6,400
225	5,800-6,000
200	5,200-5,400
175	4,400-4,600
150	3,500-3,700
125	2,800-3,000
100	2,100-2,300

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Deryck Griffith

Absolutely.  Which is why I strongly believe in the "tee it forward" program (responding to the OP original post).

It's time to move when you can consistently average a particular distance off of the tee as per the Tee it Foward chart below...

Driver Distance

Recommended 18-Hole Yardages

275

6,700-6,900

250

6,200-6,400

225

5,800-6,000

200

5,200-5,400

175

4,400-4,600

150

3,500-3,700

125

2,800-3,000

100

2,100-2,300

That chart makes sense to me.  I assume by driver distance they mean how far you hit the ball with a smooth controlled swing under normal conditions, and not how far you hit the ball one time when you really killed it.  :-)

[Jimdangles]

That was actually very smart to clarify that for some people. haha

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

That chart makes sense to me.  I assume by driver distance they mean how far you hit the ball with a smooth controlled swing under normal conditions, and not how far you hit the ball one time when you really killed it.  :-)

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

That chart makes sense to me.  I assume by driver distance they mean how far you hit the ball with a smooth controlled swing under normal conditions, and not how far you hit the ball one time when you really killed it.  :-)

Lol, absolutely.  That's where they say your "average" driving distance.

[colin007]

most people shouldnt be playing over 6000 yards...

[Ctp722]

Yea definitely lol!, but I only know of 1 course near me that is that short

Originally Posted by colin007

most people shouldnt be playing over 6000 yards...

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

Personally, if you can keep pace, play from any tee anywhere you want. However, if the course is crowded and you are holding people up because you can't touch the forced carries or 225 yard par 3 then it is time to move up. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting when the group in front of you decides to play the US Open from the Tips and no one can sniff breaking 90.

If you have to pull a 3-wood on a par-3, move up.  I wish my course had an extra set of tees. There's not a single par 3 longer than 200 yards. You'd think this would speed the game up, but a lot of people still can't get there. No matter how short you make a par 3, some guys will always find a way to dump it into the creek/pond/gorge/bush/weeds/etc half way to the hole.

[x129]

I have never seen a course that doesn't have a set of tees less than 6000 yards. I am sure one is out there (Augusta ?) but they are the exception. Granted I don't play in CO so I have no idea what the distance of the senior/ladies tees at altitude is.

Originally Posted by Ctp722

Yea definitely lol!, but I only know of 1 course near me that is that short

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

If you have to pull a 3-wood on a par-3, move up.  I wish my course had an extra set of tees. There's not a single par 3 longer than 200 yards. You'd think this would speed the game up, but a lot of people still can't get there. No matter how short you make a par 3, some guys will always find a way to dump it into the creek/pond/gorge/bush/weeds/etc half way to the hole.

My home course has 2 - 200+ yard par three's from the blue tees, one 170 and one 135.  They are all heavily bunkered and the greens slope is severe.  When the wind is howling in your face a 200+ yard par three is a treat!  The slope from the blue tee is 135.

[dak4n6]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

If you have to pull a 3-wood on a par-3, move up.  I wish my course had an extra set of tees. There's not a single par 3 longer than 200 yards. You'd think this would speed the game up, but a lot of people still can't get there. No matter how short you make a par 3, some guys will always find a way to dump it into the creek/pond/gorge/bush/weeds/etc half way to the hole.

My home course has a par 3 that's 225 from the whites, and when the wind comes in off the ocean, it can play 250. What a b!tch of a hole.

[Gioguy21]

i play a course near my work that is a 6,400 yard par 71 course from the blues (NOT the tips) and features a widely-discussed and controversial 240 yard par 3...265 from the tips. this hole, even from whites is over 225. overall the course is very fair and playable...but hitting to a 240 yard par 3 is unreal, especially if the rest of the course is manageable from the blues. don't know where i was going with my post but, i really hate that par 3.

oh and btw...it's the second hole.

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Gioguy21

i play a course near my work that is a 6,400 yard par 71 course from the blues (NOT the tips) and features a widely-discussed and controversial 240 yard par 3...265 from the tips. this hole, even from whites is over 225. overall the course is very fair and playable...but hitting to a 240 yard par 3 is unreal, especially if the rest of the course is manageable from the blues. don't know where i was going with my post but, i really hate that par 3.

oh and btw...it's the second hole.

At least it's the second hole so you can get it over with early.  Imagine playing a nice round and that Par 3 was #16 and you blow up on it with a triple to help end the round with a sour taste in your mouth.

[Gioguy21]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gioguy21

i play a course near my work that is a 6,400 yard par 71 course from the blues (NOT the tips) and features a widely-discussed and controversial 240 yard par 3...265 from the tips. this hole, even from whites is over 225. overall the course is very fair and playable...but hitting to a 240 yard par 3 is unreal, especially if the rest of the course is manageable from the blues. don't know where i was going with my post but, i really hate that par 3.

oh and btw...it's the second hole.

At least it's the second hole so you can get it over with early.  Imagine playing a nice round and that Par 3 was #16 and you blow up on it with a triple to help end the round with a sour taste in your mouth.

haha, ironic you say that...b/c my home course...has just that. a 225 yard par 3 from the tips on 16. bunkers left and front right, slopes back to front but has a false front and back right corner has a dog ear that falls off the back...into THICK rough. and there is thick rough off the back and infront of the bunkers. it is a BEAST when they roll it to a 12 on the stimp for the club championship.

[GaijinGolfer]

If youre constantly making pars from your current tees, then its time to move back.