rsvman

There are times at my club when I would really enjoy playing a blended tee box that puts the overall distance a couple hundred yards shorter than the usual tees I play. Especially in the spring, when the ground is still soft and the temps are still somewhat cool despite the course finally being open.

We go from 5800 yards (which is too short for me currently) to 6500 yards at the next tee section (which is a beast when there is no notable rollout). Throw in some wind and some back hole locations on those longer holes - it's incredibly difficult to manage some days.

I proposed the idea a few years ago, but the head pro at the time refused to consider it. We have a new head pro and a new GM now (just hired this season) who both seem to be more in-tune with making the membership experience more enjoyable, so I might float the idea to them and see what happens.

It would require them to get the course re-rated, but quite frankly I would almost be willing to front that expense if they'd consider it.

I think it would give a lot of our members a bit more of an enjoyable-yet-fairer challenge.

      PA-PLAYA - The Lexington (KY) Country Club has created a 'blended' course using the blue tees and white tees and it is wildly popular. The score card is unique by using shading on the individual holes to indicate which tee to use on the hole. And, they paid for the USGA to determine this blended course's slope and rating and I do not know if it required an on-site survey.

      I've saved a scorecard and I could scan and email it to you if it would give you a 'visual' to take to your management.

          mikeintopeka

          Thanks for the offer. If needed, I will definitely be in touch with you to provide a sample for them to consider.

          I remain hopeful that they'll take my suggestion into consideration. Given the 700 yard disparity between the senior tees (5800) and the regular mens tees (6500) - it just stands to reason that a blended tee box option would be something that many of our members would prefer.

          Our par5's aren't easy from the regular member's tees, because of the design. Two of our four par3's average between 185-195 yards. Throw in a handful of par4's that measure 400+ yards - there are a lot of players, like myself, who would enjoy the layout a bit more if a few of those holes were shortened with moving to the next tee box forward.

          There just seems to be too much disparity between 5800 and 6500 yards imo.

          Hopefully I can convince the new head pro and GM to at least consider the idea. I've run the numbers, 6300 yards is achievable. And the kicker is that it reduces the approach shots considerably on a couple of the longer holes, but at the same time keeping the fairway bunkers (or other hazards) in play, even from the forward tees. So although the distance on those holes overall might be shorter - there's still a premium on an accurate tee shot for those specific holes.

          We'll see how it goes.

            The NY Times had an article about how long a golf course one should play. They say 36 time your 5 iron distance:
            150 yard 5 iron, 5400 yard course.
            160 yard 5 iron, 5760 yard course.
            170 yard 5 iron, 6120 yard course.

            Opinions?

              I like it. Using my made up on the spot "members' tees" got me to almost exactly the correct distance.

              And yes, I do realize that I couldn't post a score for handicap purposes using a mixed tee format unless the course has been rated that way. I was just playing for fun.

              accufitgolf
              I like it as well and it fits what's comfortable for me now. I'm around the 5760 yd point on the list. The tees I have to play (based on age) in our league come in around 6800 yds... not much fun.

                I'm in a similar situation to several previous posters, in that my driver swing speed is low-90s at best (with 230 being a good drive and playing 7-iron from 130-135), but I don't mind playing a course (or set of tees) that's a bit longer than may be recommended purely based on the distance I hit the ball, as I'm comfortable hitting approach shots with longer clubs, or playing for pitch-and-putt pars on holes that I can't reach in regulation. It seems to me that, when choosing the right tee to play from, distance should be the main driver, but you also need to take into account the skill level that you play at - the aim should be to end up playing a course that gives you the right level of challenge for the day.

                (For what it's worth, most UK courses don't offer players a choice of tee (in my experience) - the usual set-up is to have 'everyday', ladies and competition-only sets of tees.)

                Regarding making up a 'combo' set of tees to play, some guys in my group have done that and still post scores. I'll have to verify the math they used, but they adjust the slope before posting scores. I believe they worked with the club to do this, so perhaps they used information in addition to what is available on the scorecard. I'll follow up.

                Ah, found it. Section 5g of the Handicap Manual has a chart. You calculate the difference in yardage based upon the tees/holes you move up or back on and it gives you a rating and slope adjustment...

                http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/Handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14379

                And don't forget, if playing with others you need to adjust strokes as well - difference in ratings.

                DC300

                We played at 6700 which is fine in terms of distance even at 25 years your senior 😉

                distance isn't a problem yet as I still average 260 when in play , even though I'm usually 40 yards plus behind you....but of course that day playing my 2nd shot from the trees alot didnt help. putting my second to 12 feet on the par 5 18th was my some redemption 😉

                at hey we both were under 90

                    accufitgolf

                    Very interesting , never seen this before but it fits my situation well
                    my 5i distance is 185-190 with current Ping i20 set which places me at 6660 -6840 yards

                    The two courses where I play 90 percent of my golf and on both I play the 3rd set of tees from back which are 6632 and 6642 and this is perfectly comfortable for me.

                    thanks for sharing

                        My vote is for whatever gives you the most joy. Being a low to mid 80's scorer, I know for me to threaten breaking 80 regularly, playing from the whites would be my best bet, but playing from the whites for me is generally no fun as its either driver/wedge all day or less driver off the tee due to trouble in the 250+ yard areas. I love playing the tips as i get to use my entire bag and driver off the tee. Hitting driver is more enjoyable for me than potentially scoring a few strokes better playing a short course.

                          shokosugi

                          DC300 (and to a lesser extent me too) shares that sentiment and said as much last time we played. he could probably shoot 5+ strokes better every round by hitting a 6 or 7 iron off every tee and still hit irons into par 4's up to 420 but wheres the fun in that. I'll play the whites if other members at my course all are (6300) but can only really hit driver on 4 holes.

                            36 x 175 = 6300. Yes, that is about the length course I've shot my best scores. I don't mind playing anything up to 6500, but after that I'm totally inadequate. Like others, I like to use all of the clubs at least occasionally during a round and really don't enjoy teeing off on par 4 or 5 with an iron unless its a good and challenging window to try and fit that iron into. Seldom have to worry about that since my lowest iron is a 4 now. I don't score well at all on a 6500 course, but I do enjoy the try every now and then. I think making par on a 440 yard par 4 is one of the greatest feelings I get on the rare occasion that I do it.

                            accufitgolf I think from a distance standpoint, that formula may work, but it’s going to put a lot of “long and wrong” guys in bad spots for scoring. I’d be looking at 7200+ yards, I’m not good enough to score really well when I do actually get to pull driver every tee. I’m too wild with it. I’d have more fun at that length on a reasonably good day, but it could get ugly QUICK. I’d enjoy getting to hit more than an 8 iron in to a par 4 once in a while, but long par 3s eat me alive unless they get back to hybrid range, where I’m able to be good enough to have a shot at par. A lot of distance seems to be gained there.. not my favorite.

                              Weirfan Thank goodness for the back 9, the front was rough haha. I felt like on a solid day, that distance is no issue for you, we just have to kill the two way miss and the game gets a lot easier.