Comments on: Check the Scorecard … Then Check Your Ego

By: Scott Seward

Scott Seward — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:21:54 +0000

Robert – Check your e-mail. Thanks

By: Robert Matis secy.

Robert Matis secy. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:25:04 +0000

Hey Scott…Great article.I am at a Veterans home in Yountville,Ca. I have been here six months and was nominated to be Secy of this golf league. We have golfers with the average age of 78 and thats’ only because we have 2 golfers that are 63. Most of us have trouble walikng. Majority of them average 85, so I am introducing them to the senior tees(gold). What a hassle. I found an article in Golf Digest by Mike Shultz similar to yours a month ago and passed it out. Cry, cry cry, but not all of them. They insist on playing from the white tees. I’m not giving in. I played from the senior tees back home. What a blast to hit the greens in regulation with a iron that was designated to reach the green and not a wood.
Would it be possiblle for you to send me a email with your staff heading to help them move forward and start enjoying the game as it was meant to be played.
Thank you

By: chuck stuart

chuck stuart — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:40:53 +0000

Could not agree with you more. I am a Caddie at Pebble Beach. My primary
course is Spyglass Hill. Very difficult. But day in and day out I have people that just have to play the gold or blue tee box. Years ago when I was playing a lot of golf, I had an instructor tell me to play the forward tee’s and get used to shooting lower scores. It works. As you say in your article, it’s no fun hitting driver- 5 wood into a hole a touring pro might 3 wood – 7 iron. You get the point. But it’s hard to tell someone who just put the better part of $500.00 on the counter what tee box to play from.

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:17:08 +0000

Scott – Thank you for your comment. There is no set standard as to what a high or low Course or Slope Rating is. In very, very broad terms, Course Ratings in the high 60′s/low 70′s might be on the easier side, especially if this rating is well below par. Slopes in the low 120′s and down would normally be considered on the user friendly side (unless it is a short course that carries an exceptionally low Course Rating). At 6,400 yards I would consider the tees you describe as a HIGH/HIGH course. It implies lots of action or lots of trouble in one form or the other. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.

By: Scott HJolder

Scott HJolder — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:26:28 +0000

Jim, As a newer golfer I am curious as to what qualifies as a low/high slope and or course rating? I am playing 6400 71.5/132 Where does that fit in?

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:14:36 +0000

Ed – Thank you for your comments. Slow play is certainly a byproduct of playing a set of tees that is more than a golfer can handle. Thanks again – Jim Cowan

By: ed anzore

ed anzore — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:39:49 +0000

I agree with this article and a majority of the complaints. there are far too many golfers who want to play as far back as they can without the ability to play from there. there is nothing more frustrating than watching a player at the back tees shoot 90+ and hold up a course. this should be a game of enjoyment and pleasure. So when you check in, checkin in your ego at the same time and play the game thank you

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:26:20 +0000

Paul, Though I can sympathize with the thought process behind your comments, such scores would have to be posted. The Handicap System knows how to take care of scores from rounds where “we bit off more than we can chew” or we played uncharacteristically poor. The System relegates them to the worst 10 of your 20 most recent rounds which means that they are not computed into the Index you are issued. Thanks again – Jim Cowan

By: Paul Bross

Paul Bross — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:36:18 +0000

Great article. I understand WANTING to be able to play from the “tips” but if you do the score SHOULD NOT be considered for use in calculating your handicap. It should not be difficult to compare a course rating and slope against a players current handicap when a score is posted and then EXCLUDE those scores that are posted from an obviously more difficult tee box than is indicated by the plsyers handicap and ability. Then the “sand bag” stigma would not come into play,(except of course for those who do not have a code of ethics).

By: Collins Smith

Collins Smith — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:00:05 +0000

This subject has been very difficult for many to understand! It’s been amazing to me how many will call me a “sandbagger” because I play from the middle tees and hit a short but accurate drive, short fairway wood (even on par 4′s), and frequently a mid iron to the green. Because of my decent short game I seldom take more than a double or have a decent chance for a birdie. It took me over 7 years to birdie every hole on my course! I frequently win tournaments, due to my consistent play. Consequently, I am “penalized” by having to play to a “R” index. I play a significant number of rounds (over 200) last year, so my index is statically more accurate than most of my components, yet I suffer the bain of being called and labeled by the “R” as a sandbagger! A good day is 4/5 pars and 14/13 bogies which puts me right around 90 for the day. That frequently beats my friends who are 12/13 handicap and have 3 or 4 really bad holes! The only solice is that I play as best I can every round and let the comments roll off as I enjoy every one of those rounds!