As I Thought...Play the Right T for You
 

On Executive Courses -
I've noted lately that more folks will change their usual/preferred tee position to accomodate the group or another individual. I always play the blacks, and often recently played with guys who tell me they usually (probably always) play golds but will move back to the blacks (like this is an accomodation to me)...please don't.

Not sure what drives this decision, but wish it wouldn't happen...may I suggest to you gold players out there...stand your ground and play the golds - and likewise, don't expect me to move up...yet!

However You Get the Ball Going Forward
 

Get out there and play, you'll be surprised how many shots that never leave the ground turn out pretty darned good. The only hole-in-one I ever got was a horrible mis-hit, an ugly bladed, shaft vibrating shot...that rolled about 40 yards into the hole. You know the Nike slogan....just do it!

The USGA has had various "missions" over the years such as "hints for speeding up play", "ready golf" etc. and this year it is "Tee it Forward". On long courses pick the tees according to how far you hit it off the tee. That makes sense and in the past it was pick a tee according to your handicap.

On the execs it should be skill level oriented. How can anyone have any fun if they can never reach one green? There is no shame in playing a more forward tee and, as skills increase, then make it more challenging and move back ONCE you have mastered the tees up front. Play for fun! Check your golf egos at the starter's shack!

Play golf America!

I'm not a good golfer and I haven't played much in the past couple of years, but I can tell you one thing... Almost EVERY golfer embarrasses themselves and just laugh at it! Those are the stories that are told over dinner to their friends!

Get out there and play! Have fun! Who cares? Or just golf with me and that will give you something to laugh at while you are learning.... :22yikes:

One clear day last summer I called Bogart/Bacall just to see if anything was open for a single. It was about 12 noon and I got: " If you can get here in 35 minutes, we have an opening with three ladies on Bacall". My thought was if they are playing Bacall, they are most likely better than I am and immediately gave him my ID number. Well after several holes of some very humorous golf, I decided to count one of the ladies strokes on one hole. She finished the hole in a remarkable 19, yes 19 strokes. Since nothing was said by the other two ladies, I kept my mouth shut as well. I am not sure why the Marshall did never stop by to comment as when we were leaving the green on number 7, you could see that there was no one in front of us on 8 or 9 holes or Greens. But, that said, it was only about 2 hours and 5 minutes of golf from tee time to when I got back in my cart after the 9th green.

So sorry, my post was not intended to:
 

discourage golfers but to make the experience more enjoyable....Sure hope you continue to play and hope I have opportunity to play with you....

Also, I was talking about the execs, it was more an observation than anything...

I understand the reason for your thread and most of us do too that play golf a lot. It is good for new golfers to know that they can play and enjoy playing and everyone will love to play with them, but the pace of play, or moving along at a certain speed is very important. One slow group can hold up the course for the day.

Most of us have errant shots, but everyone needs to watch that the hole ahead of them is not empty and keep up with the group ahead even if that means not playing out or picking up the ball at times..Even accomplished players need to remember that.

Yes, we are all retired and we all don't want anyone to rush, but not keeping the pace of play is just a kindness and a consideration to others and the rules of sportsmanship on the golf course.

And you can do that and be a new person. I am so enjoying playing with many new golfers who are just coming along so nicely. The golf courses are really busy at this time of the year and doing "the right thing" is even more important.

Tips to Get You Playing Golf - Part 73.d
 

May I further suggest -

1. Spend a little time practicing at the range...till you're pretty comfortable with your swing and making consistent contact with the ball...with your club that is.
2. Play the level 1 and 2 difficulty executive course green tees
3. Tee your ball up on fairway or rough shots
4. Pick your ball up after 7 shots and move to next hole...19 shots on 1 hole will definitely start backing things up behind you!
5. Pick your ball up from sand traps for now...that's a shot you can work on later as you improve.

I'm sure there's many more tips to make your golf playing & learning experience more fun, actually being golf - there's probably several million...just don't worry about bad shots...even the pros have their share, and take lessons and struggle with their games...it's the nature of this beast called golf.

I agree completely with the statement that pace of play is not affected by tee selection if the golfer understands golf etiquette. If you were to see my Dad and I play, you would question why my Dad is on the back tee box on executive courses. Depending on the course it gives him a chance to hit all clubs, some holes are like short par 4s for him. We are never out of position on the course because of the tees we play.

For those worried about starting the game, do not worry about how you hit the ball, that will come. Learn the etiquette of the game as described in the link below. If you read and understand the stuff in the link, you are way ahead of the game and anyone will love to play with you.

USGA: Golf Etiquette 101

Thanks AJ.........I have "FORE-warded" that link to some relatives.
....AND...perused it with my own eyes.

Much Appreciated.....

P.S. ......I got some "smarts" today....
.............Wow.. :doh: I did NOT know it all. (am I Surprised ?)

Signed,

MR. ""Why so many "Snowmen" on my Card""

This thread reminds me why I regularly quit playing golf 10 years ago. Takes too much time, expensive, just wasn't fun any longer. (9 handicap)

Take up dancing, an activity that requires actual skills, plus you meet a bunch of new people rather than 5 hours with three guys who are wanna be golf pros.

Whoa there hoseman. ACTUAL SKILLS? It takes a lot for someone as uncoordinated as I am to move that little ball forward. And I am sure there are SERIOUS folks out there but the folks I play with make it so much fun, and they are different people all the time. And an executive course, nine holes, only takes a little more than an hour and then...tah-dah......comes LUNCH!!! ;););)

golf <> flog
 

The ball should be picked up on double par.
Stop looking for balls in the water.
Please, please, fix your ball marks.
No more than six minutes PER FOURSOME to find errant golf balls.


P.S. It takes a lot of balls to play the way I do.

I think we lost some of the content of the original question. I am in the process of building in Sanibel but renting for now and in my 3rd trip to TV. I was very aware of the pace of play concerns. I am a 10 handicap and my wife is a 34 handicap. We were members of private clubs for 15 years prior to moving here. In mens events (TPC course) we were warned first then put on the clock, and finally penalized for slow play by the pros monitoring the course, but it was only an issue 2 times I know of. At TV since the pace is slower you are only as fast as the slowest player in your grow. While trying to be polite, I will always play the tees the other men in my group play. I can easily play gold, blue, or white. I have yet to see anyone play the tips on a championship course. Jack Nicklaus played the red tees once a week as a youth just to see and experience different shots. In the last 2 weeks we have played with one guy who re-started his whole pre-shot routine if anyone within 100 yards made any noise. It was annoying, but I only had to spend 4+ hours with him that day. He was a good golfer, probably a 6 or 7, and admitted to me he had rabbit ears and could not stop his habit. But to compensate we made sure we did other things to try to keep up with the group ahead of us. The other one that sticks out was 2 guys in love with their Bushnell device, shooting distances to pins all the time. I am a quick glance at the 100 or 150 marker kind of person and let it rip. He never got out of the cart until it was his turn, shot the distance, put the device back in the cart, pulled a club, pre-shot routine, made his shot, admired it, sometimes post shot did a shadow swing, then cleaned the club, and put it back, then pulled up the partner position and the whole thing started over. Nice guys and enjoyed their company, but a healthy diet of that would drive my crazy. But long ago, I realized I can not control other people, so we try to enjoy their company, do little things to keep pace. I still love this place, but to be honest we had just as many slow players back home.

By the way, how many gold tee players are there on the championship courses? Are all the mens events played off the blues?

That guy's routine is a perfect example of lack of consideration for others. OMG...I don't think I could have handled it for 18. It sure would have ruined my game and concentration.

The problem here is that the Ambassadors really do not have much authority to keep play moving.