Calculate what tees you should play from

[@toddpeterson793]

Sue, This was really informative and helpful. I appreciate having some empirical reason to explain my frustration when I use the wrong tees. Similarly, I can feel a bit more confident when I close the appropriate blocks. As per usual, I appreciate this and your other videos.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Hi Todd, golf is no fun being played from the wrong tees. I'm glad this was helpful. Thanks and see you soon, Sue

[@georgehadley7863]

Thanks Sue -This is a topic that is rarely mentioned but is definitely needed to educate the vast majority of golfers who are using the wrong tee boxes. However most male golfers will ignore it because of their ego problem and continue playing from the longer tee box and struggle reach the green in regulation.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Hi George. Yes, you are right of course! But it really is so much more fun playing shorter courses. Best wishes, Sue

[@fitzygolfpro]

Great video Sue. I agree most golfers (males) tend too play from tees that are too far back. The ego gets in the way.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

It does...with both men and women. What yardage do you play, Brian?

[@andrikristianto2577]

Yesterday I met new friend (senior, 77 years) at golf course, when I and him initially played single and we were then set to play together. My average total drive is always 200 yards, hence why I usually play from white tee. When my new friend chose to play from the blue, at first I felt a little shy since a 77 years old man playing from the blue and I, as a much younger man (48) play from white. And then hi hit drive in average around 165, I then asked why he chose playing from the blue. He said to me that it is just a regular thing for him playing from the blue no matter his distances. In my mind…wow…this kind of thing is actually very common.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

I know! Isn't it crazy? Golf is so much more fun when you play from tees that are appropriate for your hitting distance.

[@KMSchriver]

This is a good one. Trying to help my folks play more forward to have more fun and keep things moving. Thanks

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Good luck! I know it's a hard job 🥴

[@JackRussell021]

I am pretty much still a beginner - I have been playing a 9-hole course (playing twice on yellow tees, it is ~3300, but they have other tees going up to ~4600). So far that course has been a good match for my at my level of ability, and I still feel like I am having fun when I am out there. But was kind of wondering when I might want to think about trying a "big" course, and according to your guide, I should be able to play a course at around 5000 yards. But I think I want to stick to the 9-hole course for a bit more until I get more consistent in the way I hit the ball. Thanks!

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

I agree! Don't rush to play long course...👍👍

[@roberthudec6949]

Thanks for the info. The use of the 5 iron comes from the PGA's Tee it Forward program which also provides a formula to determine which set of tees to use. BTW, based on Iron Byron testing, the 5 iron distance is approximately 75% of the driver distance. This also comes from the PGA.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Thanks, Robert. All the signs point towards golfers playing from yardages too long for them! I did a study last year with Club Champion to get a better idea of how far recreational golfers carry the ball. We were able to get a normal distribution of participants and the findings echoed the need to get players to play shorter yardages...easier said than done 🤣.

[@roberthudec6949]

@@ChangeGolfInstruction Absolutely, I been preaching the need to play from the right tees for 4 years. It seems that most golfers are more concerned with tradition or being stigmatized for playing forward.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

@@roberthudec6949Yes, maybe it will change on of these days. It is fun to play shorter tees and shoot good scores!

[@annerollogolf9640]

You do the best and most interesting tips Sue.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Thanks, Anne!

[@ChrisValenze]

This recommendation makes sense for lower handicappers. If you are a high handicapper, it should be modified additionally. My friend hits his 5 iron 190, but has never broken 90. Just because you can hit a good one far doesn’t mean you can chip or putt. If you are shooting over 90 at a tee regularly, you should move up one. Why is a bad day for a pro 8 over, when a bad day for a bad golfer is 28 over????

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Hi Chris, Yes, learning to score is a different thing altogether. But getting people to play from distance-appropriate tees is a good start.

[@marymckenna5524]

Golf club lofts have gotten much stronger over time and I have old clubs. My three iron is 24 degrees and 37" long. Would that be an appropriate five iron in today's clubs?

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

You're right. Lofts have become stronger. For example, Callaway's published lofts for a 5 iron is 25 degrees and 37.5" long. Out of interest, how old is your set of irons?

[@marymckenna5524]

​@@ChangeGolfInstruction Built between 1985 and 1989. In 1992 I bought a gently used set of Lady Cobra Baffler Blades with the Baffler Steel Classic Woods for golf outings at work. Time to knock the barnacles off (of me) and find a driving range.

[@gwest40]

The overwhelming majority of your weekend golfers can't hit a 5-iron consistently. In fact, many don't even carry a 5-iron, which is why hybrids are selling. The #1 challenge weekend golfers have is making solid contact with the ball on a consistent basis. This video is great advice for advanced (low handicap) golfers. But for the average Joe, it does not apply. If you want to know what tees to play from, ask yourself at what distance can you hit the green in one shot, on a reasonably consistent basis? Note that distance, match it with the distance on the par 3s on the scorecard, see the corresponding tee....THAT is the tee you should play from. Example: If you can hit a green consistently from 140 yards out, look on the scorecard to see what tees play 140 yards on the Par 3s. Play from there. Note: Many instructors and good amatures recommend hitting your drive (on par 4s) and your second shot (on par 5s) to this same distance. Example: If you can hit a green consistently from 140 yards out, on par 4s, your drive should leave you 140 yards from the green, and on par 5s, your second shot should leave you 140 yards from the green. Personally, I can do this on par 5s, but controlling driver distance on par 4s is not easy for me.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Thanks for your input. I respectfully disagree 🙃🙃Taking your scenario with real Arccos data, very few single figure golfers can hit the green consistently from 140 yards. So, with your theory, it would mean single-figure men golfers playing a course about 5500 yards. We both know that won't work. Look at this shot distribution for a 10-handiapper from 140 yards: uk.arccosgolf.com/blogs/community/arccos-insider-look-at-the-opens-new-par-3

[@gwest40]

@@ChangeGolfInstruction - Thanks for the info! Geez, if single-digit players are struggling from 140 yds out, I don't feel so bad now! LOL! Question on behalf of us who don't carry a low handicap or a 5-iron (because we flat can't hit it consistently enough to calculate an average distance), how do we know what tees to play from? I hit my 6-iron pretty well and it averages 181 yds. (according to Garmin). Does that help?

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

@@gwest40 Based on how you have described your game, I would recommend playing from 6000 yards. When it gets too easy from 6000 yards (you break par, you break 80, or whatever your goal is), then move back. Golf is much more fun when you can score well.

[@carriesperling3514]

I’ve definitely being playing courses that are too long for my game…

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Yep. Me too!

[@danstory4286]

I usually play from the tips but lately, hitting the long ball has been making my kidneys bleed.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

😵Well, that is the best reason I have heard for playing up a set of tees!

[@danstory4286]

@@ChangeGolfInstruction There is really no substitute for the feeling of carrying 300+ at age 57... but of course, there are very few substitutes for the horror of watching blood come out of one's peepee. I am currently weighing the choice between living and golfing... and it's a toughy.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Life is full of tough choices...😉

[@quinny-bn4jw]

I am commenting #BringBackDislikes on every unique KZbin video that I watch for the rest of 2024, regardless of if I actually dislike the video or not. This is video 5632.

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

Great! I feel honored 😉😉

[@charliemcelveen2418]

Gee, what if you don’t have a 5 iron?

[@ChangeGolfInstruction]

@@charliemcelveen2418 If you have a 6 iron, I'd add 10 yards to that distance, then make the calculation. If you didn't have a 6 iron either, extrapolate from a club you do have 👍🏻