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The state of the game

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14 years ago

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By Sean Foster-Nolan

GolfWRX Contributor

USA Today pointed out in a recent article that in the past five years the number of golfers in the United States has declined by 13 percent. Last year, the number of rounds of golf played nationwide dropped by 3.5 percent. In part, the reason for these numbers has to do with time and money. While I would agree I would add another, and perhaps larger contributing factor: frustration.

As we all know golf is not an easy game. Frank Thomas, former research director of the USGA said that over the past 20 years, despite all the advances in technology, the average male hits his drive approximately 200 yards, the average score hovers near 100, and for those that keep handicaps the average remains around 16.

Despite this course architects continue to build longer and more difficult golf courses. And, men being men, play tees that are further and further back. So, if the average male hits his tee shot 200 yards and he’s playing a 423 yard par four what are the chances of his getting to the green in regulation? If a par three is 190 yards, and surrounded by bunkers, what are his chances of hitting the green at all? Add to that narrow fairways littered with hazards … what are his chances of even getting the ball in play? How many greens in regulation will he hit if he is hitting a fairway wood to virtually every par four, and on many par threes?

“Move up!”, you say. Easier said then done when dealing with the fragile male ego. According to the USGA’s Tee it Forward initiative if a golfer’s average tee shot is 200 yards than he should be playing from 5,200 to 5,400 yards. The problem is not many golfers will play from that yardage, not to mention there aren’t many tee boxes with that yardage. Okay, let’s say the middle tees are approximately 6,200 yards. That would mean that the golfer would need to hit his tee shot an average of 250 yards. Not many golfers can hit it that far. Where does that leave our fellow who is 200 yards off the tee? Very frustrated.

Last summer I went to the local muni and was paired with a three some. We were all roughly in our mid-50s.
“What tee box are you playing from?” one gentleman asks me.
“The middle tees,” I respond.
“We always play from the back tees,” says another, in a rather self-important voice.

We proceed to hit our tee shots. On our approaches my intrepid three some is hitting fairway woods or hybrids into the green while I’m hitting an 8-iron. This goes on for the next couple of holes, where none of them have yet to make a par, let alone a bogey. We get to the fourth hole. From the back tees this is a very intimidating tee shot. At a minimum you must hit your tee shot at least 230 yards over a pine tree onto a plateau to have any chance of getting to the green in two. None of my three some has yet to hit a tee shot over 200. If you tug it a little left you are in the trees that slope severely left. If you hit it right, you’re okay, but you have a long shot to a green that you can’t see and if you hit your approach a wee bit left, long, right or short you’re dead. From the middle tees if you hit it 200 yards you’re on the plateau and have a relatively easy shot to the green. If you hit it 230 you’ll knock it past the plateau and it will roll forever down to the front of the green. Needless to say my three some scored a big number on this hole.

By the time we get to the fifth hole I’d heard enough curse words to make my drill instructors from my Marine Corps days blush. This is a monster par three from the back tees. An extremely narrow 210 yard hole flanked by oak trees on both sides coming closer together as they run up to the green. I’m thinking to myself, “What are these guys going to do here?” Two tee shots were lost in the woods and the third was well short. Another big number for all concerned.

As we walk to the sixth tee I’m mentally scratching my head. My three some has been cursing, mumbling,  and not having very much fun. I’m one over par, and they have yet to make a bogey. It’s not that they can’t hit the golf ball. They just don’t hit it very far. Why are they killing themselves?

We get up to the tee box and one of the guys asks me,
“Do you mind if I join you on the middle tees?”
“Not at all,” I respond.
The others quickly jump in.

By the time we finish up on No. 18 there is a lot of laughter and comments such as:
“I’ve never reached the 16th in regulation before!”
“That’s my first birdie of the year!”
“That’s my personal best on the back nine!”
“I didn’t lose a ball the rest of the round!”
“I’ll never play the back tees again!”
“I haven’t had so much fun in ages!”

Well, you get the idea.

So, in the vast majority of cases what do we have? We have a golfer playing from a tee box where he has no chance in getting to the majority of par fours in regulation with two very good shots. Has no chance in getting to most of the par threes with a good shot. Must have an outstanding short game just to make a par. Must get very lucky to make a birdie. That really sounds like fun.

Is it any wonder the number of golfers is on the decline? What can be done? A few things. Superintendents can move up the tee boxes, and change the scorecards as well as the slope and rating. Although the USGA has the Tee it Forward initiative golfers will not move up on their own accord. They’ll need a push. New course designs can be more user friendly. Fairways can be wider, greens can be more approachable and courses can be made shorter. There is no reason courses are designed with the single digit in mind when the vast majority of golfers, and those that bring in the vast majority of revenue, are mid to high-handicappers. Perhaps if golfers start reaching greens in regulation, making the occasional birdie, not losing multiple balls a round, they may decide to stick with the game. If so golf will remain a healthy and viable sport, which can only benefit all of us.

Tee in Funward anyone?

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Sean Foster-Nolan was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and has lived all over the United States. He picked up the game of golf at the age of 50, and currently plays at Harmon Golf & Fitness Club in Rockland, Mass. Sean is passionate about all things golf and has been a member of GolfWRX since 2007. He is a retired counselor, where he last worked with high school kids who had severe emotional and behavioral problems in an alternative high school. His philosophy is treat all people with kindness and respect.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. 944

    Feb 21, 2012 at 12:08 am

    I’m not sure this topic merits the use of profanity, but I can understand some of the frustration.

    The truth of the matter is that public courses are just that- public courses. Everyone has a right to play to them, and to choose which tee box they play from. If pace of play is an issue, then it should start with the offenders policing themselves. If that doesn’t work, then I believe the group behind the offenders and/or the marshals should intervene.

    If pace of play is not an issue, then I believe that players should be allowed to use whatever tee box they please. If their scores reflect their choice of tees, then said players should have the common sense to recognize this and modify their choice of tee box, if they choose. If they still like to play from tees that are probably not suited to their skill level, then they will have to continue to accept the poor score that they post. Nobody is forcing them to play from the tips but themselves and if they enjoy playing from that length, then great for them. If they want to move up to improve their score, then great for them again.

    I would compare it to a person who is relatively new to weightlifting. Nobody forces them to squat 500 lbs., but if they choose to attempt to do so, they can. They will be the one to have to live with the results. I believe they will quickly find that they will have a more enjoyable experience starting with a lower weight, and working up from there as their strength and skill improve. Regardless, it is still that individuals choice.

    In my opinion, the issue is not so much course design as it is each individual golfer’s personal decision on what tees they play from. Perhaps a solution might be a sign before the first tee box that says “Please make an honest assessment of your game before deciding which tees to play.” would be a nice reminder for everyone who plays.

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  2. beyondthedimples.wordpress.com/

    Feb 19, 2012 at 10:50 am

    And lastly, I can’t afford to drive a mercedes, so I don’t.
    I am not certified to fly a plane, so I don’t.
    If the course is too difficult, don’t play it!
    There are so many different courses to pick from, don’t shit on the design. So stupid to point the finger to someone else rather than educating yourself.
    Seems simple enough to me!

    Reply Report comment

  3. beyondthedimples.wordpress.com/

    Feb 19, 2012 at 10:47 am

    The problem is not time or distance or course difficulty or any of that nonsense.
    When I was introduced to the game, I had to “prove” myself before heading to the golf course. I had to learn the basics of the golf swing, short game, etc. Kind of like getting your driver’s license. When the golf boom happened and courses and equipment were available on every street corner, those traditions were pushed aside. Learning why there are different tee boxes, pace of play rules, etiquette, etc were all part of the learning process. This took time and the general public did not want to invest the time, and that ultimately will only be to their demise.
    In my opinion, there are still way too many un-licensed golfers out there.

    Reply Report comment

  4. Zunes

    Feb 18, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Great article. Should be required reading for anyone designing, owning, running, or working at a golf course.
    Part of the problem is that everyone working at a golf course is a scratch golfer and doesnt see these problems.
    I would disagree that “we” are all the problem as many of us would like to see a fix.
    Nor do I think assigning tees by handicap would work as even the front tees are too long for many players.

    Reply Report comment

  5. chip75

    Feb 18, 2012 at 11:09 am

    I’ve always thought the tees players hit from should be handicapped based, so a higher handicapped player will have to hit from the front while the top flight amateur will be sent way back.

    The equipment doesn’t help much either, OEM’s spend millions on trying to get more distance but their innovations of less loft and longer clubs won’t help the average player to hit the ball solidly with a square clubface.

    I’m sure if they did tests they’d find the average player would score better with a bag of wedges, a couple of short to mid irons and a putter!

    Reply Report comment

  6. dekker

    Feb 18, 2012 at 10:41 am

    this is the arch-typical story, which I could tell countless versions of myself, from both sides of the blocks.
    Who’s to blame ?
    Well actually we all are, starting with the demanding players, to the put-upon course architect, to the ego-driven resort owners ,to the obliging clubmakers ,and the fiscally driven OEM who lead us to the promised land via a new-improved route every year, with the player screaming, “I was robbed”! Hilarious!

    The average golfer parallels a deluded stud who finds his conquest is a pro who expects to be paid.

    Reply Report comment

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Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

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