Tee-ing forward is an interesting subject to me.
Around here I never hear tees being refered to by color or distance. Most courses have three or four sets, which most people refer to as "ladies, seniors, men's, and tournament tees" this bugs the hell out of me. I do my best to correct people who call them "ladies tees" to me it sounds sexist, and ignorant.
I have wanted to try the red tees for several reasons but have held off out of fear that buddy's and other golfers treat it as taboo and ridicule a man for teeing it forward.
(a little about me) I am a high handicapper. I usually hit around a 90 from the blue/white ("mens") I drive the ball 250yards. My iron play has always been my strength, my putting is usually my weakness.
So after playing the forward tees today here are my observations...
my usual playing partner is my wife, and as I suspected playing one set of tees sped us up hugely. it is definately nice to only stop one place for tees. Next time you are playing a fun round with someone that usually plays the forward tees, teeing it up with them will definately save some time.
We had much more fun today because it put us on the same level. Having the same tee "legitimized" any shot or hole when she (my wife) out played me. She is just learning, and usually doesn't look at our playing competitively. Even on the par threes when she normally is 10 or 15 yards ahead, she wouldn't be interested in closest to the pin or anything like that. Somehow removing the different tees put us eye to eye, and even though she scores significantly higher than me, there were several times where things got competitive. There were a couple of times where she ribbed me for being farther. One hole she poured it on thick from the tee to the hole. We were shot for shot, and she sunk a bogey put and I was left with a 15 footer to match her. (i nailed it by the way) The competition between us was something new and made whatever looks I got for playing the reds worth it.
Another observation, for those who think it would be "too easy" you may be surprised by how little it helps your scorecard. It will bring different hazards in to play, it will change lines, you still have to make putts (which is most of our battle right?), and it will make you rethink your strategy/course management.
At the very least you will enjoy the fresh look to your local course you play week after week.
I am glad i finally tried it, and I decided I will be teeing it forward whenever the round permits.