What Tees Should You Play From?

Check the ego at the door, focus on your score!

There seems to be a lot of debate over which tees players should play from. A lot of people think they need to play from the back tees because that’s where “real golfers” play, even though it’s hurting their scores. I simply don’t understand that type of thinking. You’re not any less of a golfer just because you play from the middle or front tees. You’re just as much of a golfer as anyone else.

I have a simple way to determine which tees to play from: Make sure your average drive goes at least half the distance of the longest Par 4. This is where you need to be honest with yourself — It’s not about the longest drive you’ve ever hit, it’s about your average drive, the one you hit nine times out of 10 on the course.

For example, let’s look at the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale. The longest Par 4 on the scorecard is No. 14, clocking in at 490 yards. Let’s say your average drive goes 230 — I know, one time you hit it 272, but your good ol’ stock shot runs 230. If you hit it 230 on this hole, you’d be left with 260 in. That’s more than the length of your average driver, which means you have no chance of reaching the green in two. When playing a Par 4, the goal should be to hit the green in two and get a GIR (unless you’re a high handicapper in which case it’s often better to lay up), and so playing the back tees here would be doing a disservice to your game. Even from the middle tees this hole measures 461 yards, next to impossible to reach the green in two with a 230 yard drive. From the front tees it’s 426 yards, which probably means a long iron for your second shot, but at least you’ve got a shot. And so if this is you and you’re playing the Stadium Course at some point, it might be in your best interest to play from the front tees — Your scorecard will thank you.

In conclusion — Check your ego at the door, focus on your score!