How to Choose the Correct Set of Tees Based on Your Ability

As a game, golf is a great equalizer. There’s the handicap system, which enables players at all ability levels to have a fair match based on stroke allocation.

Then there’s the relatively modern invention of staggered tees. Back in the day, there were blue (low handicapper), white (middle handicapper) and red (high handicapper) tees. At older clubs, these three sets of colored tees were typically grouped fairly close together, which disadvantaged beginners, seniors, juniors and most women.

The rise of longer courses in the 1980’s and ‘90s led to the concept of multiple tee boxes pegged at different lengths to increase flexibility. The idea was to offer players more options–and enhance their chances for an enjoyable outing.

At TPC Danzante Bay, a modern layout built by Rees Jones for maximum versatility, there are five sets of tees ranging from 7,237 yards (Black) to 4,916 yards (Red), par 72. For better players, there’s also a set of Mix tees that combine 12 Black, four Gold and two Blue tees to offer a very stout test at 6,934 yards.

Using Your Average Distance to Gauge the Proper Set of Tees to Play

When choosing which set of tees to play, there are three considerations: skill level, average distance and desired pace of play. (On the latter point, accomplished players can play a speedier round by moving up to a forward set of tees).

One of the simplest and easiest ways to select the ideal tees for your game is to measure the distance of your average 5-iron shot. Multiply it by 36, and choose the tees that match that yardage.

For example, if you hit your 5-iron 180 yards (be honest!), look for tees around 6,500 yards (180 times 36 equals 6,480). At TPC Danzante Bay, the correct set of markers for such a player would be the Gold tees at 6,595 yards.

If your average shot with a 5-iron travels 150 yards, which is close to the average for a typical middle handicapper, then the math totals 5,400 yards. The White tees at 5,651 yards might be a good choice, though the Red tees at 4,910 would be a friendlier option.

Here’s another way to calculate which tees you should play. Several years ago, the PGA of America and the United States Golf Association (USGA) issued a set of recommendations designed to encourage golfers to play from appropriate yardages. These guidelines are based on golfers’ average driving distance. Simply calculate your driving distance (be honest!) and then see what yardage these two organizations recommend:

Since the shortest set of tees at TPC Danzante Bay measures 4,916 yards, those who can’t drive the ball 175 yards should tee it up in the fairway closer to the green. No dishonor in that. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Putting for Birdies & Pars is More Fun than Scrambling for Bogeys

According to the USGA, “a set of tees is a good fit for a golfers’ ability when it allows them to comfortably reach the fairway on par 4s and par 5s, reach the vicinity of most greens in regulation, and allows them to hit a variety of clubs on their approach shots.”

More to the point, golf is fun when greens are reached in regulation, enabling players to putt for birdies and pars. That means finding the putting surface with your tee shot on the par 3s, reaching the par 4s in two shots, and attaining the green on the par 5s in three shots.

For players to achieve this goal, that may mean swallowing one’s pride and moving forward to a set of tees that matches one’s ability level. Grouped with macho golfers, a player out to have a good time must resist the peer pressure to play further back than his or her skills allow.

Well-placed tees allow players to choose wisely in order to manage the challenge presented by TPC Danzante Bay, a world-class course that poses a tougher-than-average test as evidenced by its lofty slope and course ratings. Scrambling for bogeys because you’re not able to drive the ball a far distance or hit long, accurate approach shots to the green is simply not fun. There’s no shame in playing from a forward set of tees if those are the ones appropriate for your game. Also, golfers who play from tees that are too long for their games slow down the pace of play, which is inconsiderate to everyone else on the course.

If you’re the kind of golfer who believes that golf should be enjoyable, play it smart at TPC Danzante Bay: tee it up at the appropriate markers for your ability level.