What do Ladies & juniors have that Seniors don't?

[HomerJSimpson]

I see nothing wrong in giving a helping hand to make the game accessible for older golfers on a daily basis and if a forward tee helps them enjoy a round well into retirement then I'm all for that. That said, when defending a handicap there needs to be a level playing field for all which is why handicaps are there and so everyone must play the same course. My slant is purely for daily play amongst friends.

As for course design being to blame, the environmental area (rare newts) severely restricted original plans. The long tee shot over it on the 3rd is the only time it comes into direct play although you do cross over it several times and it does run alongside three other holes. It goes to shows that the designers did go to great lengths to minimise its impact and by giving the older guys a forward tee it still allows them the chance to at least play the hole fairly rather than sacrifice a ball every single time.

 

[Herbie]

I must admit I was mainly aiming at competition and my comments are strictly with this in mind.

 

[Leftie]

As a Senior, I do not want special treatment. My handicap (which I've managed to reduce by 2.4 this year to 13 - wish I could now play to it ) is based on playing club competitions of competition tees - usually whites. Ever other player in the club who plays in comps has a h/cap based on playing off competition tees and it is, imho, totally ridiculous to suggest that Seniors should play off forward tees 'cos they may not be able to clear a hazard. They have got their h/cap by clearing the hazard or finding a way around the problem and their h/cap is so based.

In non comp games, roll ups, friendlies, etc, it doesn't matter a t*** where someone tees off from provided the rest of the group agree. In really poor wintry conditions I've seen seniors (and not so senior partners) going off the ladies tees on 2 or 3 holes for a variety of reasons. That's up to them and they will enjoy their round but come comp time, all off the same tees. No cheating please

 

[TWM]

In my seniors group we have one competition,Veterans Trophy, where we get an additional stroke allowance, one for each year age 75 and over. This year I will get two strokes added to by 26 handicap bringing me up to my realistic 28.

 

[Cernunnos]

Not read all of the thread, so not sure if its been covered yet, but imo all these different tee boxes that appear on courses are a blot on the landscape of a course. Handicap systems are there to account for how many shots it takes people to get around a course, so for instance the ladies really should not need a seperate tee to tee off from & when playing mixed matches of any sort it is rather inconvinient for all concerned to keep moving to different tee positions just to let a lady or junior tee off. There should simply be daily tees & comp/members tees & keep it to that on a course, the cards put in from comp tees for everyone should determin the handicap of that player, pure & simple.

Though as a post script to something I read right near the start of the thread that I wish to echo I do believe courses can be made harder & more interesting in other ways than lengthening the course, which only plays into the hands of the bombers. Making players lay up at specific points with doglegs & other obsticles is one way, narrowing the course & its fairways is another, so accuracy over distance can be rewarded. As golf is & should be a risk & reward game. There really is no need or excuse for making courses 7,000+ yards, as generally all this does is make a course boring.

So, one or two tee points for everyone & everyone in a group tees off from the same position regardless. The handicap system should be enough to allow sufficient adjustment to scoring. Keep the lengths of the course down & made narrower to be the great leveler... simple.

 

[DCB]

So,in general the concensus seems to be that the ladies should play off the mens tees in medals, saves having unsightly ladies tees further up the teeing ground. So the club can then get the course re-rated by the appropriate LGU and all the ladies will then be playing a course with a higher Par and corresponding SSS. The ladies will then end up with higher handicaps and will probably end up beating the men in any mixed events due to the higher stroke allowance.

No ! I think it's fair as it is, it's worked that way for many a year so it doesn't need changing to meet the needs of the insecure male golfers who can't face the prospect of women on the golf course.

Women play their game of golf on a measured course against their SSS or CSS. Gents play golf on their measured course against their SSS or CSS. It's two different games. The common factor is that both sexes can enjoy their golf against their counterparts on an even playing field.

Currently, if ladies play in a team event in a mixed format, they get additional strokes whilst playing against the gents stroke index. In a team format, this is a huge benefit to a mixed team if the lady plays her normal game.

As has been said before, the handicaping system, although flawed in some aspects, will take care of how we score our way around our home courses. Thats all that is needed for Men, Women and Juniors. Play often and play well and your handicap will reflect how you play. That's all that is needed.

 

[viscount17]

Our course has senior tees - I have never seen them used. All our seniors comps are either off whites (medals) or yellows.

By the same token, Juniors who should be playing off red tees don't and won't. For many it's an ego thing, and many are long hitters anyway. For some, it's ruining their game trying to be what they are not - usually at the urging of a pushy parent.