Today we would like to share the USGA's initiative on pace of play. Aptly named after my late father's favorite phrase of frustration (try saying that three times).... "While we're young!". This obviously means one of several things. As a group in whole it's saying " I'd like to get the round done in a reasonable time so lets ALL get moving". As looking at our fellow group members individually, including the pre-swing routine and total time taken to hit a shot, it's connotations are even more obvious- " OMG hit it already!", "What's taking you so long to pick a club?!", and the ever popular "You've been a member here HOW long and you still need the caddy to read that putt??!"
While I make light hearted comments regarding pace of play, It should be recognized that this is a very serious issue within the golf industry, having documented repercussions on rounds played and new people entering the game. Time has become a rare and treasured commodity, and spending 6-8 hours in total for a day of golf from the time you leave your home till the time you leave the course is a real investment. One which fewer and fewer people are making.
Around the club, you will find a few new things to remind you of pace of play and encourage you and your friends to speed up how you play the game. Most noticeable is stickers placed on approximately 40 golf carts. There are a few ball markers placed within the regular WRCC white markers in the starter's box. Lastly a simple poster which we have posted in both locker rooms.
In consideration of this new awareness of pace of play, we, your creative golf professionals, will be posting mini videos with helpful hints and outright demonstrations of proper etiquette and speed of play. We hope you find them helpful, humorous, and entertaining.
Finally, and to "bust a myth", we would like to offer real and practical suggestions for which tee box you should be playing from. The myth regarding length of golf course played seems to be determined mostly by your handicap or sense of ability. We believe this to be at least partially untrue. For the true sense of enjoying golf and having the ability to make pars with two putts as often as possible, the length of tee should be based on a combination of your total driver yardage and your overall ability (Handicap). This being said, here are our recommendations:
White Tees: Less than 200 total yards from the teeing ground and/or a handicap of 22 or higher.
Blue White Mix: More than 200 yards but less than or equal to 225 yards of total driver distance, and/or a handicap lower than or equal to 18.
Blue: Driver is CONSISTENTLY longer than 225 and/or a handicap of 14 or lower.
Ladies should be playing from the Forward Red Tees If they can hit their driver over 75 yards. If it is a struggle to hit it more than 75, the FAMILY TEE MARKER, LEVEL 2 "GOLD" is perfect. This is our suggestion for all female beginners as well as juniors who are able to hit driver 75 yards. If you can score better than double bogey from the family marker on most holes, then it would be fine to back up to the RED..
For the youngest of players and those whose driver distance goes a maximum of 50-60 yards, the FAMILY TEE MARKER, LEVEL 1 "BLUE" recommended.
Have fun from the proper distance and make lots of Birdies!
