Let me lay down some facts from the USGA. The USGA defines a female bogey golfer is a player who has a Course Handicap of approximately 24 on a course of standard difficulty (that is a slope rating of 113). She can hit tee shots an average of 150 yards and can reach a 280-yard hole in two shots (pg. 5 of The USGA Handicapping System Book). The USGA defines a scratch player as a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. A female scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two shots at sea level.
According to the Golf Channel there are 5.76 million female golfers. How many do you think are scratch golfers? 1%? That would be 57,600 female scratch golfers across the US. Have you ever met one? Ever played with one? I would suggest 1% is a stretch. Maybe 10% of female golfers are single digit handicappers. To get to point more quickly probably 60% (at least) of all female golfers are bogey golfers or worse. Still following?
The USGA/PGA Tee It Forward initiative suggests that players who hit the ball 150 yards on average off the tee should be playing a course of 3,500-3,700 yards. Remember, this is the USGA saying this. The same governing body of our game who also determines slope ratings based on the 150 yard tee shot. Wouldn't it make sense then that a course measuring approximately 40% longer would be substantially more difficult for the average female golfer? Have you seen any course with tees less than 4,000 yards? The odd course might have them but they tend to be targeted to little kids.
In southwest Florida the average length of the forward tee (based on date from 70 local golf courses) is 5,019 yards! Some many individual courses are over 5,200 yards! Wouldn't you think the slope rating, if principally based on distance, would be astronomical? The average slope rating for these same courses is 119.9. Something doesn't add up here. It seems to me (and maybe I'm just whacked in the head - wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of that) that none of these forward tees were built for the female bogey golfer in mind. Not even close!
I don't disagree with the Tee It Forward initiative AT ALL! In fact I applaud it with great vigor. Average golfers and less than average golfers need golf to be fun, not managed frustration. With that in mind shouldn't there be an optional tee for every day bogey female golfers (and those who are less than average) that is 3,500-3,800 yards? This is for most lady golfers in this game today. Courses of this length are unheard of in today's game. It was as though bogey female golfers weren't even considered.
And I can tell you from experience, women are typically blamed for slow play at a golf course. Ladies, I empathize. I do. 80% of you are playing a golf course way beyond your capabilities. It would be the equivalent of bogey male golfers playing a course of 8,600+ yards and be expected to A) have fun and B) keep the pace of play up. Neither would be possible. This is Barney Adam's point from a different perspective.
Men with less skills can always move up, right up to the forward tee if need be. Ladies, you aren't even given that option. Fellas, you need to understand this. Secondly, despite what you think most ladies play faster than you guys do. Third, if there were actual tees set up at less than 4,000 yards the bogey femal golfers would have fewer shots and enjoy the game more. At least that has been my observation. So have a little sympathy guys. Oh, and consider moving up a set of tees because I'm sure you're having a more difficult time justifying that 10 handicap (really 15) from the same set of tees.
Keep the fun in the game. I welcome the feedback!
In southwest Florida the average length of the forward tee (based on date from 70 local golf courses) is 5,019 yards! Some many individual courses are over 5,200 yards! Wouldn't you think the slope rating, if principally based on distance, would be astronomical? The average slope rating for these same courses is 119.9. Something doesn't add up here. It seems to me (and maybe I'm just whacked in the head - wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of that) that none of these forward tees were built for the female bogey golfer in mind. Not even close!
I don't disagree with the Tee It Forward initiative AT ALL! In fact I applaud it with great vigor. Average golfers and less than average golfers need golf to be fun, not managed frustration. With that in mind shouldn't there be an optional tee for every day bogey female golfers (and those who are less than average) that is 3,500-3,800 yards? This is for most lady golfers in this game today. Courses of this length are unheard of in today's game. It was as though bogey female golfers weren't even considered.
And I can tell you from experience, women are typically blamed for slow play at a golf course. Ladies, I empathize. I do. 80% of you are playing a golf course way beyond your capabilities. It would be the equivalent of bogey male golfers playing a course of 8,600+ yards and be expected to A) have fun and B) keep the pace of play up. Neither would be possible. This is Barney Adam's point from a different perspective.
Men with less skills can always move up, right up to the forward tee if need be. Ladies, you aren't even given that option. Fellas, you need to understand this. Secondly, despite what you think most ladies play faster than you guys do. Third, if there were actual tees set up at less than 4,000 yards the bogey femal golfers would have fewer shots and enjoy the game more. At least that has been my observation. So have a little sympathy guys. Oh, and consider moving up a set of tees because I'm sure you're having a more difficult time justifying that 10 handicap (really 15) from the same set of tees.
Keep the fun in the game. I welcome the feedback!
1 comment:
Doesn't this sound like something I read maybe fifteen or twenty years ago when the Drop-out rate of new golfers was 75% !!! because the courses were too difficult? Every architect wants Island greens and narrow fairways, big bukers etc. But it doesn't improve the one objective we are trying to reach: Fun!
So what went then for courses in general now goes for women golfers...
I can only repeat what I've said on LinkedIn-discussion, revive the fun-element in golf.
Post a Comment