[rp001]

I think it's about ego to some degree. I've played all the level 4 courses and invariably am paired with some guy that always plays from the back (black) tee. I play from the gold with a large hdcp (21).

I always ask these guys if they have played the course before and do they know the difficulty of the course. The response is "I want my money's worth," or "all the men play from the black". These same folks seem to be the ones hitting multiple balls, not picking up after double par, and Not Repairing Ball Marks.

I can't believe they are really having fun as the frustration levels are very high. I was taught to play the t that affords you to be on the green in regulation. That means from the t on a par3, one shot.

If anyone wants to see this for real sit at the mailbox on Churchill, across from Belmont and watch them hit from the back t. They have to cross water and a man made landscape barrier plus a greenside bunker. It varies from 175 to 190 yds. A real laugh as I watch them warm up and go "splash one, splash two," most of the time.

My practice is at the driving range, and it should be for these folks too.