GOLFSPORT (Golf Digest Germany)

Moving the Challenge "Forward"

Rethinking the Placement of "Forward" Tees in Germany

For the majority of golf course designers in North America, the debate concerning forward tee placement ended almost two decades ago. The popular designers of that and previous era's understood that interesting golf is not a test of distance, but a game of skill and options. When information suggested a considerable segment of golfers were being poorly served by the misplacement of forward tees, remedies were quick to follow.

Data revealed the strategic element enjoyed by expert and average men did not occur for the great majority of women, some men and juniors. What helped bring on swift change? Market economics. The pressure competition brings. These new tee considerations quickly became standard in the design of new courses, and have been introduced in older established courses. Even historic Pebble Beach installed "forward" tees in the 4,700 meter (5,100 yard) range.

In Germany these twenty-year-old discoveries have gone unrecognized, ignored or overlooked. Strong words, but facts support the statement. Because women pay equal dues and represent a substantial and ever growing percentage of the golf population, shouldn't they be served in the same manner as their male counterparts? That is, with a manageable, enjoyable challenge full of interest?

Consider the following:

The average 21 year-old female has the physical strength of a 65 year-old man.

The average handicap of American women is 36.

The average 25 handicap female golfer hits her tee shots an average of 135 meters (148 yards).

The average 17 handicap male golfer hits his tee shots an average of 180 meters (198 yards).

The 1995 Ladies U.S. Open was played on a course of 5440 meters (5930 yards.)

The average Ladies/Forward tees in Lower Saxony is 5328 meters (5808 yards.)

The average forward tees for a selection of courses designed by three popular contemporary American designers is 4717 meters (5142 yards.)

This means the average lady in Lower Saxony is essentially playing a U.S. Open length course everyday! The U.S. Open is the most demanding test for the best women golfers in the world!!!

Following the trend started in North America, my proposal is to have the forward tees placed in the 4,300m (4,687y) to 4,800m (5232y) range. Now, not all would enjoy playing from these tees. The few who can hit the ball like Martina Koch would more likely enjoy a lengthier test. But for most women, younger juniors, beginners, and some men would be far better served by playing a shorter version of their existing course.

In Germany, the average lady hits a fairway wood approach on almost every hole!!! The majority of par-5 holes are played with three or more wood shots! Most par-3's are unreachable!! Now how often does an expert player hit a fairway wood approach into a par-3, 4, or 5 during a round? Rarely... if ever. The average man playing from the middle tees doesn't encounter this too often either. Why should women on every damn hole?

The idea with "forward" tee placement is to create variety and similar shot opportunities and thrills the average men enjoy to provide strategic and heroic options to make the game full of fun, challenge, and choice. Accomplishing this requires introducing 210 to 230 meter (230-250 yard) par-4's, so the ladies can hit the occasional short iron approach to the green too.

Let's turn the tables. Suppose men had to play 6450 meter (7030 yard) monsters every day of their lives? Would they enjoy the game? The less than one percent who can effectively handle the distance might. From these "professional" tees the average man would be in the same situation as most German women. He would have no hope of reaching most greens in regulation with his fairway wood approaches. Would this be enjoyable day after day? His chances of hitting even one memorable approach would be slim to none. This is the exact scenario the German ladies face. Few strategic or heroic options just pure slogging. In short monotony. Is this the great "pleasure" Dr. MacKenzie spoke about?

Unfortunately, just moving the tees forward does not go far enough, but is a step in the right direction. There are other factors. If the hole is heroic in design, can the tee be positioned to provide the short hitter a "heroic" carry of their own or will the tee be pushed off to the side, taking the excitement away? These are the decisions the designer must make in balancing the course.

The benefit of correctly positioned forward tees isn't solely an issue related to ladies. Some men would also benefit greatly from "forward" tees, but unfortunately the tees in Germany have gender related names: "Mens'" and "Ladies'." Because of this many will refuse to play "forward" simply because of the stigma. A big step forward in this regard would be to have the DGV (German Golf Association) rate all existing tees for men and have the clubs rename the tees without using gender distinctions (e.g. "Forward," "Middle," "Back," etc.) Those who have played the game enjoying the strategic challenges, but who no longer possess the length to negotiate the current hazards, would have an opportunity to challenge their precision, judgement, and skills all over again. Let the SSS (course rating/slope) balance the handicaps. That's why it was created for versatility, not as a measuring stick for standardization. For young juniors and beginners, "forward" tees offer a chance to get around the course and not be overwhelmed. Another benefits, "forward" tees speed play and reduce fairway maintenance.

"Forward" tees are not the cure-all, but have proven to be a critical component, providing a significant segment of the golf population with the "pleasurable excitement" which Dr. MacKenzie wrote of so often.