It’s time to let every golfer play off whichever tees they want, writes Northern Golfer editor Dean Bailey
I first wrote about abandoning the gender-based tee system three years ago and I believe it’s time to go one step further and allow golfers to play from whichever tees they like, whenever they like.
The idea that women must play from the red, and often most forward, tees in competitions while all men play from the longest possible tees simply doesn’t stack up. I know several women who drive the ball further than most of the players I see on the course every Saturday, and I know plenty of men who would enjoy their competitive golf a lot more if they could play a course measuring 5,000 yards rather than one measuring 6,700 yards.
If I want to test my skills from the back tees, that should be allowed. At the same time, if I want to go and play from the forward tees and see how many birdies I can make on a shorter course, I don’t see a problem with that either. I would also argue that more people would enjoy the game on the shorter course than the longer one, and it would certainly take less time.
Removing any rules regarding using certain tee boxes, while educating golfers on how to choose a tee set which suits them, would be a great step forward for the game.
All we need to do is tell golfers the length of the course from each tee set and the recommended driving distance and handicap to enjoy each set. For example, recommend that players with a handicap of 24 or higher, or a carry distance of less than 180 yards, play from the forward tees. For players with a handicap of 10–24, or carry distance of 180-220 yards, the middle tees are best. The back tees are then for golfers with a single-figure handicap or carry distance of more than 220 yards.
These recommendations are based on players’ enjoyment rather than the way things have always been done, and they give every golfer the opportunity to play from a tee set that best suits them and their ability.
It’s also important to note that the World Handicap System allows this to happen in competitions, with playing handicaps adjusted for the tee set before players head out.
Many courses have already had multiple tee sets rated for both genders, and some are already allowing players to play off their choice of tees – which is fantastic! I’ve got no doubt many more will be doing so in the coming months and years.
The game is a lot more fun when your drives reach the landing areas they’re supposed to get to, the obstacles on the course are in the correct positions, and you’re hitting clubs into greens which they were designed to be approached with.
A simple change in how we present the golf course to players allows everyone to do all of the above. Should anyone wish to go all the way back and test their game regardless of the recommendations, so be it. The game is hard enough for most amateurs, but if anyone is desperate to make it harder, I see no reason to stop them. Given some time and a bit of education, I’m sure they’ll move to the appropriate tees for their ability.
