Which tees do you chose for weekly tournaments? Does it make a difference in winning flight prizes?
Overall Metro Seniors Members have mostly chosen the FORWARD tees. 63% of rounds to date in Division 1 through 5 have been recorded from the Forward Tees.
But how did the flights choose? Summary for all Divisions:
- A Flight – 33% Forward
- B Flight – 60% Forward
- C Flight – 75% Forward
- D Flight – 87% Forward
Apparently many of you understand that FORWARD can be more fun. Compared to 2016 data, we have as much as 50% MORE members playing FORWARD in all flights. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2016 DATA
How about the Divisions?
Most Divisions match up closely to the overall data. The major exception – Division 2 has fewer playing forwards only 48%, Division 4 has slightly more playing forward at 71%.
If I play FORWARD, will I win more flight prizes?
NOPE! The data for prize money totals for FORWARD tees matches fairly closely to the total money distribution for each flight in each Division.
Why are prizes and net scores for Forward and Back tees so close?
The Handicap System levels the playing field. Forward Gross Scores are slightly lower as would be expected. But the Handicap is also lower.
Average Net Scores for B, C, and D Flights for Forward rounds are within 0.1 of the averages for all rounds.
Average Net Scores for A flight Forward Tees are about 0.5 more (72.8 vs 72.3). So may be a slight scoring advantage for A Flight to play from the BACK tees. This is probably due to the wider range of handicap range for A Flight (4 to 15). Significantly more 10 to 15 handicap A’s play Forward and will have higher gross and net scores.
Which Tees should I use?
Which tees make your game more fun? Which tees give you a regular opportunity for you approach shot to give you a green in regulation?
We STRONGLY recommend that all players in the C and D flights play from the FORWARD tees. You will still be competitive. You will lose fewer balls. You will have much shorter approach shots. You will have fewer trouble shots, You will play faster and feel better about your game. Is you typical drive from the tee less than 200 yards? FORWARD tees.
More FUN makes a happy player and better FELLOWSHIP!
USGA and PGA Tee It Forward program recommends tee selections by course yardage depending on your AVERAGE driving distance. Note this is not the best drive you ever made, but what you typically see on the course.
Here is a link to the PGA / USGA article. CLICK HERE
Thanks for the comment. Several Issues here.
1. CTP wins – With Forward and Back tees we cannot also offer separation by flights. Members are self selecting tees (for more fun). 63% are playing Forward (mostly D, C, and some B and A flights). So there is slightly more competition on the Forward tees. For CTP wins, skill, luck, and play frequency are critical factors. More highly skilled players (A and B Flights) are more likely to hit the greens and close to the pin. But, we all have seen a bad shot turn into gold when the ball takes a fantastic bounce, hits a tree off to bounce within a foot of the pin. Players who play frequently (like the lottery) have more opportunities for luck and skill to show up. As a result – CTP wins are in order of frequency – A, B, C, D flight. A really big actor – A and B players play significantly more weeks than C and D players.
2. Drop Zones – Many courses don’t have drop zones. However, we do offer a “carry over” rule. Players must attempt to cross the hazard. On failing that they may A. reload and retry with appropriate stroke and penalty. OR B. they may take an added 2 stroke penalty and drop the ball on the far side of the hazard. They would lie 4, hitting 5 (1 stroke attempt, 1 penalty, plus 2 strokes for carry), but this might be better than keep losing balls in the water and scoring a 9. Even hitting 3 balls into water is relatively fast – I did it this week – hit 3 into hazard 60 yards from the hole on a par 4, quit and took my Max 9.
3. Max Nine Rule – this is to prevent really awful scores (10 to 14) on holes – demoralizing and time consuming. As implemented only a very small number of players’ scores are affected. This is simple, effective and easy for members to remember and easy to monitor in scores. It was also a compromise – many players still want all strokes played – real golf!
4. Board, Handicap Committee, Rules Committee, Pace of Play and Tournament Committees look over data for changes all year, every year. 9 scores are not very frequent, and even less frequent on par 3s. As a Pace of Play issue, it is now far less a factor than others (especially lost ball searches).