5 reasons why you should play from the forward tees (you’ll thank us later)

**Saint Willy** · 30-03-2021, 06:59 PM

5 reasons why you should play from the forward tees (you’ll thank us later)

There are lots of benefits from playing from the forward tees.
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In the 2020 Distance Insights Report, the USGA and R&A concluded that the average male golfer hits their driver just 216 yards. For females that number drops to 148 yards. In other words, most golfers don’t hit the ball very far — and yet most still play from pretty ambitious tee boxes.
Based on my experience — and when extrapolating the data from above — a good chunk of recreational golfers play from the wrong tee box. If you watch the PGA Tour each week, you’ll notice players hit lot of short irons and wedges — scoring clubs — into greens. How many times do you see the average recreational player hitting a scoring club into a green? Not many.
So, recently, I did something I’ve never done before: I played a round at my local muni from the forward tee boxes. I can’t remember a time when I’ve felt more like a Tour pro. I had short irons into most greens, every par-5 was reachable and, most importantly, the game was way more enjoyable.
Here are five reasons why you should give the forward tees a try.

1. More birdies

Playing from the forward tees will undoubtedly give you more birdie looks, and who doesn’t like making birdies? It makes you feel like a pro and boosts your confidence. All good things.

2. Work with scoring clubs

You will also hit your short irons and wedges a lot more. You likely get practice with these clubs on the range, but taking those reps to the course is great experience. Learning how to hit these clubs close to the hole is valuable if you want to take your game to the next level. Teeing it forward will give you many more opportunities to hit these clubs with real pressure.

3. Quicker pace of play

Our pace of play during our forward-tee round was excellent — three and a half hours at a New York City muni is almost unheard of. This is obviously contingent upon how packed the tee sheet is, but if everyone plays at tees more suited for them, it will help the entire operation run smoother. There are fewer big numbers from the forward tees, which results in better pace of play. It’s a win all around.

4. Different looks

Playing the same course every week can get stale, but if you play from a forward tee box, you’ll get a whole new perspective. The holes play different from various tee boxes, and it can allow you to see the course in a new light. It’s almost like playing a new golf course.

5. More fun

The most important reason why you should try the forward tees is just how fun they are. Having birdie looks on every hole is great, and it gives you a sense for how Tour pros play the game. No one wants to grind over bogey putts all day just to break 90, so give yourself a real chance at posting a low number. Forget the stigma about the forward tees and you’ll soon have more fun on the course than you’ve ever had before.

https://golf.com/instruction/five-reasons-try-forward-tee-box/

**misskit** · 30-03-2021, 07:28 PM

I always play from the forward tee.

**harrybarracuda** · 30-03-2021, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

I always play from the forward tee.

Your supposed to. Forward tees are for girls.

Par 3's are for hitting the greens from the other tees, unless you have that perfect day where you muller a drive off a Par 4 with a following wind and it carries.

I stood right behind Steven Gallacher when he did that once, put it right on the green, it was awesome to watch.

**Headworx** · 30-03-2021, 08:48 PM

There's silver tees on a lot of local courses in the Pattaya area, they're for the over 65's and are normally fairly close to the squat boxes (red tees). Great idea I think, especially on holes where there's a water carry of something like 175+ off the whites and some senior players may not have that sort of distance anymore, even with the Driver. So instead of putting their clubs away forever and taking up darts or snooker, the older guys with ever decreasing swing-speeds can still enjoy their golf off the silver tees - if they want to.

**harrybarracuda** · 30-03-2021, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by Headworx

There's silver tees on a lot of local courses in the Pattaya area, they're for the over 65's and are normally fairly close to the squat boxes (red tees). Great idea I think, especially on holes where there's a water carry of something like 175+ off the whites and some senior players may not have that sort of distance anymore, even with the Driver. So instead of putting their clubs away forever and taking up darts or snooker, the older guys with ever decreasing swing-speeds can still enjoy their golf off the silver tees - if they want to.

If they have the space, some clubs are building 9- or 18- hole all-par 3 courses for this very purpose, or for people who just want a quick, fun round after work.

**misskit** · 30-03-2021, 11:27 PM

^That’s a good idea. I like to walk and carry only a few sticks. Par 3 courses or 9 holes is good for me. After playing a full 18 holes I am exhausted and just want to go home.

**misskit** · 30-03-2021, 11:28 PM

^

I guess that’s like admitting that I don’t like sailing.

**David48atTD** · 30-03-2021, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

^That’s a good idea. I like to walk and carry only a few sticks. Par 3 courses or 9 holes is good for me. After playing a full 18 holes I am exhausted and just want to go home.

... +1

Keep it simple, have fun, walk the course.

BTW, I like sailing ... Hobie Cats are a hoot

**Troy** · 31-03-2021, 12:21 AM

It's the long second shot that sorts the men from the boys. Unfortunately, I have always been a boy in this area so the forward tees suit me.

**dirk diggler** · 31-03-2021, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by misskit

^That’s a good idea. I like to walk and carry only a few sticks. Par 3 courses or 9 holes is good for me. After playing a full 18 holes I am exhausted and just want to go home.

By the time I finish 18 holes I'm drunk and don't want to go home.

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