Comments on: Competing From Different Sets of Tees

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:24:21 +0000

Pat, thank you for your comment. I am not aware of a specific year when the term “Forward Tees” was first uttered, but it is certainly a by-product of the age of political correctness (and I still don’t think that this term has reached the masses). I would suspect that the USGA in the late 80’s or early 90’s started recommending its use to get away from the stigma of the term “Ladies” tees. Obviously there has never been anything preventing a woman playing from the White or Blue tees. And there shouldn’t have been anything preventing a man playing from the front, but as long as they were referred to as “Ladies” tees, this wasn’t going to happen. “Red” has inherited some of the negative connotations of “Ladies,” but not nearly to the same extent. “Forward,” being non-gender specific, was considered the best alternative. And ever so slowly, more men are playing the shorter tees. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.

By: Pat Lyle

Pat Lyle — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:27:23 +0000

Hi Jim,
I’m writing an article for the Meadow Club Vista. Can you tell me when “forward” tees came to be and any other information you might have on red tees?
Thank you,
Pat Lyle

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:37:17 +0000

Jeff, the designation has been changed. Thanks – Jim Cowan

By: Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:11:07 +0000

I am provided with a designation for woman’s 18 holes when I post – I am a new member. I recently played from the Blue tees and could not post according to that handicap / slope index. Can you help me out and change my designation in the system to a man, so that I can start posting from the back tees when played.

My ghin # 8665899

Thanks for your help…I look forward to posting the score which was a good one on a tough course.

Regards,

Jeff Johnson

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:40:07 +0000

Ken, thank you for your comment. The man would adjust his Handicap Index to the Course Handicap Table (Slope Table) for the tees he is playing. The woman would adjust her Handicap Index to the Course Handicap Table for the tees she is playing. Once we have these Course Handicaps in hand, we examine the difference in Course Ratings between the two tees. The golfer playing from the tees with the higher Course Rating receive additional strokes equal to the difference in the Course Ratings (.5 rounds up). If, after all this, the woman is four strokes lower than the man, she plays as a scratch and the man receives one stroke on the #1, 2, 3 and 4th handicapped hole for men. The person receiving strokes always receives them according to the ranking of the holes for their gender. Thanks again – Jim Cowan

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:30:42 +0000

What about match play? If a woman play against a man in match play and they play from different tee, how are stroke holes assigned?

let’s say the lady has to give 4 strokes to the male player, in which 4 holes will stroke be given, the tee from which the male player is playing from, or from the tee the lady is playing from?

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:31:46 +0000

Donald, thank you for your comment. You apply your Handicap Index to the Men’s Course Handicap Table (Slope Table) for the Red tees. Once you have this number in hand, you deduct three strokes since the Course Rating of your tees is 2.8 strokes lower than White. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.

By: Donald R. Shrank

Donald R. Shrank — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:14:17 +0000

I am now over 80 years and have just started to play the “Forward” Red/Ladies tees as I no longer have the length to play the whites. I
compete with others in my senior’s club. Most players play the White tees. The ratings at Shoreline are: white 69.3 & red 66.5 or 2.8 harder from the white. If I follow your comments I figure I should
DEDUCT 3 strokes from the red handicap chart for my index? Some say I
should deduct 3 stokes from the white chart for my index and some say
I should just use my red handicap for my index. Who’s right?

By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:28:07 +0000

I understand the concepts of the course ratings and making the course handicap index adjustments based on where player’s tee off from. However, would it be allowed for team players, on the same team, play from different tee’s during a 4 ball tournament? Or even allowable to play from different tee’s when your in a match play event? Doing so, just doesn’t seem equitible, even though the course rating is provided to level the playing field and provide level competition.

By: Jim Cowan

Jim Cowan — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:20:06 +0000

Steve, thank you for your comments. In your example the woman would receive one additional stroke based upon the .6 higher rating for her set of tees (23 Course Handicap from the Slope Table plus this one additional stroke means she would play to a 24). In a match play scenario the man would be reduced to a scratch and the woman would receive one stroke on the 11 highest ranked holes for women (the person receiving strokes gets them according to the ranking of the holes for their gender). You are correct in that you do NOT dot the 13 strokes for the man and 24 strokes for women. The low handicapper always gets reduced to a scratch and the high plays with the remaining strokes. The best way to look at this is in a match between a 17 and 18. Their way would result in the 18 receiving a stroke on the easiest hole on the course. The correct way leaves the 18 receiving a stroke on the most difficult hole . . . just like the Handicap System intended. Thanks again – Jim Cowan