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The recently conducted national golf initiative known as Tee It Forward has attracted interest, enthusiasm, and more than a few comments from golfers nationwide. Barney Adams, the founder of Adams Golf, provided the concept that led to Tee It Forward and has been tracking comments posted by golfers on the Internet about the initiative.
Here, Adams provides candid responses to some of the more interesting and direct comments made about Tee It Forward: Comment: “You are trying to make the game easy, and golf isn’t supposed to be easy.†Adams: This is not about easy - it’s about enjoyment. Tee it Forward gives you a chance to play the game, to hit shots into the green that you’ll still mis-hit. And those fairway bunkers you could never hit? Guess what? You’ll have to be a little more careful now!†Comment: “I am a 13 handicap. I play at 6,700 yards and can hit every green. I don’t need to move up and I resent the implication.†Adams: “I’m an 11 handicap and I can hit the greens from 6,700 as well. That’s not the point. I try to hit these greens with a hybrid or in some cases a fairway wood. Plus, I’m not hitting high soft shots into the green. I’m trying to hit bullets and fit the ball between greenside hazards. I want to be in a position where I can play golf, play shots. This is a triumph of golf pleasure over ego.†Comment: “I pay $100 for a round of golf and I want to see the whole course.†Barney Adams: “Thanks for playing! As long as you can keep up the pace and enjoy the game, play from the tips. This initiative is about adding speed and enjoyment by playing from the distance that’s right for the individual golfer.†Comment: “I don’t care what you say - I’m not moving up to the white (or red or whatever) tees.†Adams: “I agree! This isn’t about the white or pink or chartreuse tees. It’s about setting up a playable course that’s right for you. Many things are involved, such as prevailing winds, fairway slopes, green sizes and more. Flexibility is the key. For example, you could ruin a 145-yard par 3 or a 360-yard par 4 by moving up. So don’t!†Comment: “It’s you clubmakers who did this with all your new drivers. With advanced technology we’re hitting the ball 30 yards farther than we used to.†Adams: “One of my playing companions made the same comment recently. All I could think of is that he must have been really frustrated in the past, because with those extra 30 yards he still only hits it about 220 now.†Comment: “Mr. Adams, you are a male sexist trying to impose a 4,600-yard course on women golfers. It is insulting.†Adams: “For women, a 4,600-yard course puts their average tee shots where they have an opportunity to enjoy the game more. If that’s sexist, then I plead guilty.†Comment: “You obviously don’t play for money. Harry hits it 30 yards past me and you want to move him up. Why don’t I just give him the money?†Adams: Actually I do make the occasional wager and play with more than one Harry who hits it 30 yards past me. The fact is he’s going to be 30 yards longer from whatever tees we play. From the back tees when he hits a 5- or a 7-iron into the green and I’m hitting a 3 or a 4, he has a big advantage. But move up and he’s now hitting a 9-iron or even a wedge, but I’m hitting a 7-iron or even an 8-iron. Now I like my chances better. Furthermore on some of those holes I get a stroke. Now I really like my chances better. Remember that on tour when the longest hitters play with the shorter guys they still play the same tees. The shorter guys are still in a position to play the game and that’s the principle here. |
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| # 1 9/9/2011 2:46:30 PM |
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People are ridiculous. Most are missing the point completely.
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| # 2 9/9/2011 6:53:33 PM |
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I like the "Tee It Forward" concept, I think it works! The only thing our group changes is individual tee boxes. Sometimes we move long par 4's forward and also move short par 5's back and again select excting tees for the par 3's. I have heard this called a "Blend". I think more golfers should try this method. Only problem ... you can't post the score for a handicap as you have played from different tees that have different slope and ratings. |
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| # 3 9/9/2011 9:31:34 PM |
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It is a good concept. I played forward a couple times and it doesn't make it easier, I thought, because you had to play a totally different strategy for most holes. It made it a little more fun, because I used it as a chance to work on shaping the shots and course management. I like what Lindsay said too with the mixed course. If you want to have fun on the course, that is a way to do it.
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| # 4 9/9/2011 10:35:59 PM |
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it's a good concept. I have moved up to accommodate my playing partners and they enjoy playing more.
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| # 5 9/10/2011 7:42:16 AM |
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I like the "Tee It Forward" concept, I think it works! The only thing our group changes is individual tee boxes. Sometimes we move long par 4's forward and also move short par 5's back and again select excting tees for the par 3's. I have heard this called a "Blend". I think more golfers should try this method. Only problem ... you can't post the score for a handicap as you have played from different tees that have different slope and ratings. Yeah you can. The course difficulty rating is what is used to calculate your handicap. You subtract the course rating from your actual score and that is the differential. The differential is actually what is used to get your handicap. |
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| # 6 9/10/2011 9:14:02 AM |
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I like the "Tee It Forward" concept, I think it works! The only thing our group changes is individual tee boxes. Sometimes we move long par 4's forward and also move short par 5's back and again select excting tees for the par 3's. I have heard this called a "Blend". I think more golfers should try this method. Only problem ... you can't post the score for a handicap as you have played from different tees that have different slope and ratings. Yeah you can. The course difficulty rating is what is used to calculate your handicap. You subtract the course rating from your actual score and that is the differential. The differential is actually what is used to get your handicap. Not if you play from different tees in the SAME round ... that's what they are calling a BLEND round. For example, some holes they shoot from the Whites ... the others from the Blue. You can't post a score playing that way. |
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| # 7 9/10/2011 6:10:45 PM |
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I'm curious if the typical recreational golfer really gives a hoot about handicap. This could be another reason in support of the movement and concepts around the blended approach. I know many people that only play a few times a year that could benefit from a more flexible approach to the game.
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| # 8 9/10/2011 11:05:56 PM |
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I'm curious if the typical recreational golfer really gives a hoot about handicap. This could be another reason in support of the movement and concepts around the blended approach. I know many people that only play a few times a year that could benefit from a more flexible approach to the game. There are courses that do offer combo ... Crooked Tree GC here in Tucson ... and there is a slope and rating for the combo. |
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| # 9 9/10/2011 11:29:31 PM |
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I like the "Tee It Forward" concept, I think it works! The only thing our group changes is individual tee boxes. Sometimes we move long par 4's forward and also move short par 5's back and again select excting tees for the par 3's. I have heard this called a "Blend". I think more golfers should try this method. Only problem ... you can't post the score for a handicap as you have played from different tees that have different slope and ratings. Yeah you can. The course difficulty rating is what is used to calculate your handicap. You subtract the course rating from your actual score and that is the differential. The differential is actually what is used to get your handicap. Not if you play from different tees in the SAME round ... that's what they are calling a BLEND round. For example, some holes they shoot from the Whites ... the others from the Blue. You can't post a score playing that way. My bad. I didnt catch that the first time. |
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| # 10 9/11/2011 8:16:36 AM |
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There are courses that do offer combo ... Crooked Tree GC here in Tucson ... and there is a slope and rating for the combo. That's interesting. Had not heard of that but definitely think its a good idea. |
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| # 11 9/12/2011 9:52:06 AM |
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I'm curious if the typical recreational golfer really gives a hoot about handicap. This could be another reason in support of the movement and concepts around the blended approach. I know many people that only play a few times a year that could benefit from a more flexible approach to the game. most of them don't. I've had a blast playing from multiple tee boxes in a round. I started with the fowards and worked my way back to the tips and then moved forward again. ie red, gold, white, blue black, blue, white, gold, red. and then visversa for the back 9. I calculated the distanced based off the scorecard and on average I was still playing to the middle tee (whites)distance. Of course I would only do this on my home course. As for the Tee it Forward concept its a great idea if the ego's were left in the car. |
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| # 12 9/12/2011 10:09:59 AM |
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I for one think its a fantastic idea! I can not believe all of the seemingly hostile questions and comments. Wow...poor guy tries to help golfers out and gets nailed for it.
Half of these guys complaining are probably the same guys that really need to move up a tee box or two. |
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| # 13 9/13/2011 9:10:10 AM |
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The Combo tees are a great way to accomplish moving forward and still having a great day at the course with "ego" intact. Even the high courses are doing it. For example, at Redstone Golf Club where the Shell Houston open is played had combo tees.
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| # 14 9/13/2011 10:47:55 AM |
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I played combo tees yesterday without really planning on it. Seems this course recently added a bunch of new tee boxes at the back to lengthen the course, but the USGA hasn't yet re-rated it yet. So by playing the tips I played several holes much longer than required by the rating. Like a 460 yard par 4 and three par 3s now well over 200 yards.
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