Gender-Free Tees

FairwayDodger

FairwayDodger

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This is something we've discussed on here in passing but I was very excited to read this article that suggests it might actually be happening at an increasing number of clubs...

http://euro.globalgolfpost.com/2015...f3-112059685#&pageSet=27&page=0&contentItem=0

This can only be a good thing; no barriers or stigma to playing from whichever set of tees suit best for your level of ability. I'd love to see this become the norm at courses around the country!
 
110% behind this ;)

I think we need a good variety of tee options:
Shortest set of tees for beginners, juniors and casual golfers, probably starting some way down long holes, just off to the side.
The usual "red" tees for progressing golfers.
A standard set of tees, the "yellow" for day to day golfing for members.
Optional tees on the standard course which take out carries over water, heather etc to fairways.
One or two tee sets further back for the adventurous types

Play off the tees which suit your needs and wants, not your gender.
 
Our 'red tees' are rated for both but we don't use them for Q comps and the ladies aren't overly happy with them being used by loads of blokes either...

Given that we have also had in place Green Tees at about 6100 previously and no one used them (ego) and I have to conclude that it doesn't matter what colours or designations a club delivers, it all comes down to the player's.

Over the last month I've put 2 matches out from the yellow tees, rather than the whites, and it's been predictable to get the low handicap response before heading out, and then establishing that they couldn't get up to a number of holes in regulation even off the yellows (because of conditions).

We get a number of ladies playing from the yellows and whites through the year, but ultimately when handicapping is on the line, most are looking at the SSS rather than the enjoyment!
 
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Given that we now have the amalgamated governing body of Scottish Golf it's definitely something that they could lead for change on. Maybe it's worth speaking to them to see how they could do it?
 
Alex1975 said:
The handicap system makes this pointless unless I missed something?
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Each colour tee has its own SSS

It's how most clubs should move forward and will happen

It then allows competitions of any tee and relevant SSS will be used
 
Alex1975 said:
The handicap system makes this pointless unless I missed something?
Click to expand...

I think you missed something! :)

At most clubs the red tees are only rated for women and the yellow/white only for men. By rating all sets of tees for each gender you can play off whatever you want but still have a meaningful par/SSS to measure yourself against.

Plenty of men would be better playing from the red (shorter) tees and plenty of women could benefit from playing a longer course.

Duncan is right in that there are other issues when it comes to agreeing a set to use for comps, but at least in a social context you'd have more options.
 
Jimaroid said:
Given that we now have the amalgamated governing body of Scottish Golf it's definitely something that they could lead for change on. Maybe it's worth speaking to them to see how they could do it?
Click to expand...

I guess cost to each club would be the issue so uptake might be slow but if enough clubs started to do it more might be similarly persuaded....
 
FairwayDodger said:
I think you missed something! :)

At most clubs the red tees are only rated for women and the yellow/white only for men. By rating all sets of tees for each gender you can play off whatever you want but still have a meaningful par/SSS to measure yourself against.

Plenty of men would be better playing from the red (shorter) tees and plenty of women could benefit from playing a longer course.

Duncan is right in that there are other issues when it comes to agreeing a set to use for comps, but at least in a social context you'd have more options.
Click to expand...


Ok cool thanks. I quote like the idea. Its always odd when the ladies cant stand and chat with you on the tee box as they are headed off to the reds.
 
Does this mean the SSS for red tees for Men would be something like 65 on a par 70? My club, whites are 5890, par 70 for men, reds are 5020/71 for Women, for men to use the reds, the SSS would need to be much lower then I assume, but how do you manage the scoring for that socially? Or does it just drop the par down to 65 instead, so Men lose 6 shots off the same course?
 
ShankyBoy said:
Does this mean the SSS for red tees for Men would be something like 65 on a par 70? My club, whites are 5890, par 70 for men, reds are 5020/71 for Women, for men to use the reds, the SSS would need to be much lower then I assume, but how do you manage the scoring for that socially? Or does it just drop the par down to 65 instead, so Men lose 6 shots off the same course?
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Basically, yes. You get a men's par/SSS and a women's par/SSS from each set of tees. You'd expect the men's to be lower than the women's from each set of tees.
 
There's nothing to stop you playing off whatever tee's you like though surely? There isn't at my club anyway.

Not sure it would be that popular as the SSS/CSS would be very low comp to par
 
At mine, its Men on yellow for social, men/white for comps only, and red for the ladies, no deviation ever! I think for comps you should all play the same course, but anyone should be allowed to play of red/yellows/whites if they want socially.
 
FairwayDodger said:
I guess cost to each club would be the issue so uptake might be slow but if enough clubs started to do it more might be similarly persuaded....
Click to expand...

Scottish Golf aren't a poor organisation. It seems to me that this is a perfect opportunity to help bring down barriers, it's exactly the sort of thing they could/should be doing. It would be a change and reinvestment for good and is a perfect fit for their "WholeInOne" campaign ethos.
 
It is a good idea, but one which will be slow to be taken up, I can see two reasons:-

  1. Cost - Clubs that are struggling financially will not be keen to spend money (if they have any spare) on new signs, tee markers and score cards.
  2. The old guard committee members at some clubs being stuck in their ways, wanting golf to be played the traditional way and not even considering moving into the 21st Century.

It is something I'll mention to the committee come our AGM
 
patricks148 said:
There's nothing to stop you playing off whatever tee's you like though surely? There isn't at my club anyway.

Not sure it would be that popular as the SSS/CSS would be very low comp to par
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Some clubs have restrictions. One of the clubs in the story used to have the ludicrous situation that a talented female player, in the England training squad, who was actually forbidden to play off anything other than the reds.

It's not just being able to play from the tees, though, it's about having a meaningful par/SSS. I often play bounce games from the yellow or whites but with only men's par/SSS I have no way of measuring if my score was actually any good or not.
 
Alex1975 said:
The handicap system makes this pointless unless I missed something?
Click to expand...

I'd disagree with this. I'm just starting out as a golfer, but enjoy playing "proper" courses rather than pay and play or whatever. But when I get to a hole where you need to drive 200 yards off the yellow tees just to get to the fairway I'm in trouble. My best strikes don't go over 200 yards. So essentially I can't play that hole from the yellow tee. So what do I do? The handicap system doesn't help me there.
 
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