What Tees Should You Play?

[Miler]

I recently posted data that Miles of Golf collected on how far Amateurs, Senior Amateurs, and Super Senior Amateurs drive the ball. As a follow up to this, here is a recommendation on what length course is ideal for a player using the length of their average drive. The recommendation is to take the average length of your drive and multiple this by 28. This will give you a course length that has a nice combination of easy, moderately difficult, and difficult holes. For the logic behind total course length equal to Driver Distance x 28, follow this link: http://www.milesofgolf.com/blog/golf-randoms/how-long-a-course-should-you-play/

[CheckJV]

Since the average WRX posters hits every drive about 300 yards....they need to play 8,400 yard long tracks. Get out the bulldozers!

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Miler' timestamp='1306426981' post='3264357']
I recently posted data that Miles of Golf collected on how far Amateurs, Senior Amateurs, and Super Senior Amateurs drive the ball. As a follow up to this, here is a recommendation on what length course is ideal for a player using the length of their average drive. The recommendation is to take the average length of your drive and multiple this by 28. This will give you a course length that has a nice combination of easy, moderately difficult, and difficult holes. For the logic behind total course length equal to Driver Distance x 28, follow this link: [url="http://www.milesofgolf.com/blog/golf-randoms/how-long-a-course-should-you-play/"]http://www.milesofgo...hould-you-play/[/url]
[/quote]

Interesting formula - but it seems to work. I seldom play anything over 7k, so I put in 250 (carry) for my drives. It came back with 7000.

[jswaykos]

Just goes to show that you don't have to bomb the ball to score well.

[CowtownTexas]

I don't like that formula. I think there should be a variable for accuracy to make it work.

I tend to pick my tees purely on slope ratings, though I do look at the yardage. Based on the formula above, I'd have to start playing longer courses and I know I'm not really at the skill level to do so.

[Pepperturbo]

The formula is NOT written in stone for all... it's just a barometer. Even tour guys have bad accuracy days. But, if we're going to include that variable, then index should be a factor for choosing tees.

[oneunderbogey]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1306453357' post='3265355']
The formula is NOT written in stone for all... it's just a barometer. Even tour guys have bad accuracy days. But, if we're going to include that variable, then index should be a factor for choosing tees.
[/quote]


You dont really have to include skill in it as long as its your actual average drive, not your average drive you hit well. You 20 capper is going to hit some 100 yard grounders and 75 yard pop ups, those will bring thier average down real fast, but if you ask them thier average drive they will probally say 250 becuase when they hit the ball decently thats how far it usually goes, when in reality thier average drive is more like 150.

[wrmiller]

So what if you're NOT a 20 capper, don't hit grounders or pop ups, and your impact area on your driver is smaller than a quarter?

I recently hit over 100 balls on a launch monitor (getting fitted for a driver shaft) and none were under 285 carry, many were over 300. SS averaged over 100 balls in an hour was 113. Average of the first 50 was 118 (hey, I got tired).

According to your formula, using a 280 average, I should be playing 7800+? I don't have any courses like that near me. Maybe this formula is optimized more for average distance hitters? I know I'm the exception, but hey, we count too!

And then there the 'take your average 5 iron distance times 36' or something close. That seemed to be more reasonable, if I remember correctly, but basically, according to either formula, I should just start walking towards the back tees everywhere I play?

[CowtownTexas]

The other problem I see with this formula is that most higher-handicap guys tend to practice with a driver alot more than they should. They just want to be able to get off the tee and not embarrass themselves.

I think handicap is a better indicator.

[circa3182]

Interesting. I will say though, there's a lot more to different tees than length though.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='wrmiller' timestamp='1306464249' post='3265810']

According to your formula, using a 280 average, I should be playing 7800+? I don't have any courses like that near me. Maybe this formula is optimized more for average distance hitters? I know I'm the exception, but hey, we count too!

[/quote]


But really, [b][i]you[/i][/b] don't need a formula to tell you which tees to play.

Most experienced golfers figure it out over time.

These formulas are aimed at the novice or infrequent player. Problem is, the novice/infrequent player has no clue or grossly overestimate how far they hit the driver.

And the comment about "average" drive. For sure, a true average counts all drives good and bad. But while this number is accurate from a statistical perspective, it is not particularly useful in a real world sense like choosing tees or choosing what club to hit to a par 3 green, etc.

When trying to guestimate your average drive, it is fair to omit the outlier data points like the100 yard popup or topped drive as well as the downhill, wind aided 300 yarders.

[wrmiller]

You are right of course, and I likely shouldn't have even responded to this thread. I suspect that I may have knee-jerked, as I have recently seen a rash of posts/comments/articles about how 'seniors' can barely dribble one out past 200. I play with several that consistently get it out past 250. Maybe I saw it as senior bashing?

I will try to refrain from knee-jerking in the future.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I used to be the guy who would always tee it up from the back tees no matter what. Distance was not much of an issue, not typical wrx long but a solid 260 to 280 off the tee enough to post a 75 on a 7337 yard course a few times and shoot 80 or better on the others. Due some arthritis issues I have lost a good amount of distance off the tee so now I look at things differently when it comes to choosing tees to play. The big factor for me is the length of par 4's. If there are multiple holes that are 460 plus I am moving up a box, but if is an evenly distributed 7000 yards im fine playing the back tees. Fwiw my normal drive with the arthritis is 250 plus or minus a few depending on how I feel.

A great example is one of my favorite courses wekopa saguaro. A mild 6900 yards from the tips until you look closer and see 5 par 4's that range from 468 to 508 yards.

[moonshine]

Well, at 1248 above sea level in AZ....it just dawned on me that at sea level things get a bit more interesting when the par 4 holes are over 440!

[wrmiller]

Many Snowbirds I have played with here comment about gaining about a club. But no more.

Now if I was playing at 5000' in CO...

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='moonshine' timestamp='1306577530' post='3268564']
Well, at 1248 above sea level in AZ....it just dawned on me that at sea level things get a bit more interesting when the par 4 holes are over 440!
[/quote]

I think the elevation factor is minimal, but for sure the warm dry air and generally firm turf conditions probably do.

I know when I play in Ohio with the humidity and softer turf I get humbled.

[wrmiller]

Come on down to Tucson and play the munis. They're so wet you get practically no rollout. You can play lift-clean-and-cheat all year round here!

My home course seems to be somewhere in between. RIght now, I can get a fair rollout. When the monsoons start next month, forget it.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1306590297' post='3268742']
[quote name='moonshine' timestamp='1306577530' post='3268564']
Well, at 1248 above sea level in AZ....it just dawned on me that at sea level things get a bit more interesting when the par 4 holes are over 440!
[/quote]

I think the elevation factor is minimal, but for sure the warm dry air and generally firm turf conditions probably do.

I know when I play in Ohio with the humidity and softer turf I get humbled.
[/quote]


I would agree with that, the few time I have gone back to Monterey to play I did not notice any real distance loss with the irons of tee, but I did notice less roll out, but I also happened to be playing on a beautiful 70* sunny day when I was there. I notice more a a distance gap between the cooler months when its 45*-60* vs 80*-100+

[Sean2]

Take a look at this chart from GHIN.com. Considering the average male golfer drives the golf ball approximately 200 yards...

TEE IT FORWARD
Guidelines for Selecting Tees
Driver Distance Recommended
18 Hole Yardages
PGA Tour Pro 7,600 - 7,900
300 7,150 - 7,400
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

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I would be insanely bored if I played 6200-6400 yard courses based on that chart for my distance. It would be driver wedge on almost every hole
If I use the 5 iron measurment of 5 iron distance x 36 I get 6840 which is about right

[teevons]

I have always felt that when you start using a fairway wood to reach a par 4 you are on the wrong tees, as long as you usualy have an iron in your hand with your [u][b]best[/b][/u] drive ,you are on the correct tee.It might be a long iron but thats ok,use the whole bag.

[Pepperturbo]

Golf is NOT about hitting driver off every tee, including some long 4's and 5's, and then mid iron to wedges into greens. We, as golfers, least from my idealistic perspective, are suppose to be able to effectively use all the clubs in our bag, not a select few. My driver is still 250+ carry so when I am facing 440-450yd par 4's, its driver 2, 3 or 4 iron in depending on conditions. That's this man's measuring stick for tee's. When my driver distance leaves me with hitting 3wd into those par 4's, its time to move up one set of tee's. Something says the future is near..

[richard t]

Miler, I'm 64, 6 hdcp. My course I play is 126 to 134 slope, 7160 from tips (not me), 6600 from gold, 6000 from blue and 5600 from white. Played yesterday. Used your formula. Just picked holes to give me 6300 yds. It works! it was more fun on a couple holes ( 185 par 3 instead of 215 and a par 4 of 390 instead of 455). Reducing my score is not the goal, just a chance to hit something in regulation. Might have a real idea here.
Thanks!

[CowtownTexas]

I think distance is overrated. I prefer a course that forces me to hit alot of different shots. On a successful day, I've hit every club in my bag.

Unfortunately, most modern courses are built for folks to bomb it. In that case, I tend to prefer around 6,850 yards, though that varies depending on the course.

I like slope ratings around 137, but I take into account how much out of bounds is on the course as that really skews that number. If there's alot of OB, I'm happy with a higher slope rating.

[kbrussell]

I agree totally with this concept , but I believe the constant should be 26x, not 28x... makes much more sense.

[teejaywhy]

I try to look at several factors when choosing tees on an unknown course.

I know my sweet spot yardage wise for what makes an enjoyable round so I start by picking a tee that falls into that range.

I then look at the rating and slope. For courses that have a high rating and slope, I might choose a tee that is a little shorter than what I might normally play. Conversely, a low rating or slope, I might choose a somewhat longer tee.

I also look at conditions. Wet, rainy, soft, cold... move up. Dry, firm, warm... move back.

A well designed course and the right tee choice should give a round that offers a mix of hole lengths yielding a variety of shots.

[kg92lefty]

length is NOT the only factor. guys at my course may drive it 290-300 but they try to play the tips and shoot 90+

[That Bob Guy]

[quote name='moonshine' timestamp='1306577530' post='3268564']
Well, at 1248 above sea level in AZ....it just dawned on me that at sea level things get a bit more interesting when the par 4 holes are over 440!
[/quote]

I often play in Phoenix and Scottsdale, and I find my ball doesn't really carry that much further. Maybe around 5%. What should one expect? Is there a formula?

[That Bob Guy]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1306979932' post='3278856']
length is NOT the only factor. guys at my course may drive it 290-300 but they try to play the tips and shoot 90+
[/quote]

There is a term for them guys. [u]Martyr[/u].

[That Bob Guy]

[quote name='richard t' timestamp='1306688712' post='3270796']
Miler, I'm 64, 6 hdcp. My course I play is 126 to 134 slope, 7160 from tips (not me), 6600 from gold, 6000 from blue and 5600 from white. Played yesterday. Used your formula. Just picked holes to give me 6300 yds. It works! it was more fun on a couple holes ( 185 par 3 instead of 215 and a par 4 of 390 instead of 455). Reducing my score is not the goal, just a chance to hit something in regulation. Might have a real idea here.
Thanks!
[/quote]

[u]Fun[/u] being the operative word. Why so many guys wanna beat themselves up on the golf course is beyond me. If I wanna get my a** kicked, I can go down to the local watering hole any night.