Is Golf Harder from the Forward Tees?

Learn how to shoot low golf scores playing from the forward tees like Bryson DeChambeau
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[@danamcqueen6982]

Most of the guys in our group (ages range from early 60s to early 90s) play from the gold tees, which are 5400-5600 yards. Some of the guys play from the red tees (4600-4700), and a couple (the 90+ guys) from the green tees (about 4000 yards). The way we see it, if you’re in your 90s and still playing golf, you can play from wherever you want. We’ve learned that 30-45 minutes after the end of the round, nobody remembers your score anyway, so what difference does it make. As long as everyone is having fun, it’s all good.

[@jrbrink1028]

Some courses don't want the forward tees messing up the views from the longer tees so they put them off to one side or the other and really leave you with some odd angles where you almost have to shape your long shots to stay in the fairway.

[@AverageDadGolf]

This series is becoming one of my favorite golf KZbin channels. You're the bee's knees MSG

[@zubrowskimissions9575]

Great series! Tobacco Road would be a premiere forward tee challenge. Those greens are so well protected, but some crazy risks might be worth it from the forward tees.

[@YouveBeenMiddled]

It's *shorter,* not easier/harder. You'll notice the rating doesn't change dramatically on various tees.

[@j.garrickhill400]

Ive done the FWD tee round, really does magnify any issues and flaws. Also play a "Step-back Challenge" when I am trying to prep for events. Start at FWD tee, if you birdie... step back to next box. If you par, you stay where you are. If you bogey, move FWD one box. If you are on the FWD tee and you bogey (it happens) you have to play from the FRONT of the tee box. Can be a fun game with friends too, whomever gets farthest back with lowest score.

[@nealliptak5221]

Absolutely love this series! I tried it a couple times at my course and it is definitely not easy to shoot low from the forward tees!

[@randalqueen5653]

Last November, I took up golf, starting with practice on some soccer fields. First round at my local course, and did not break 100, in mid-December. Stayed on their range for 3 months - and worked on my swing. Then played from the Reds, or Forward tees with irons only - after that three months. No woods, no drivers. Started in the 90s, then high 80s, then mid 80s, and finally started shooting 76-82s regularly. That was by June. So added a 3W and dropped down to low 70s with my lowest round, a 73. This was by July. My handicap was low teens. Then lower to 8, then 7. (Now it is a 6.8). Friends said time to move back (late August), so tried to use a 3W and play from the Whites. During this time, was also changing my swing. Wanted to use more body, less arms. Easy swing. Less effort, more distance. Went from - in the beginning, my 8i at 125 yards (last November) but now that 8 iron was hitting 162 yards regularly (in August). My swing was smooth. My iron play scared people. I loved it. Every now and then I would still play from the Reds - but then one day, from the Reds, shot a 78. Not one single GIR. Had 12 Up and Downs and 6 bogies to make up that 78. (From the whites, would shoot a low 78 but mainly low 80s). I was missing the Red tees as I could see little advantage to moving back to the Whites, but did to play with friends. Then one day not far from that 78, it was gone. Couldn't hit the ball like I was. My swing was just gone. GONE! So, I moved back to Reds, put up 3W, and kept playing and practicing. I even purchased a Garmin R10, hitting nets and set up space in my shop. Finally, my swing came back (mid-Sept). Shot a 72, or par, one day not long ago, from the Reds (early Oct). Moved back to Whites and still left the 3W at home. My score went from low 70s from the Reds to low 80s from the Whites, as I was still only using irons. My best score from the Whites (and only irons) was that 78. Going from 4,854 yards from the Reds, to 5,919 yds from the Whites, irons only presented challenges and much longer approach shots. But my short game and putting became deadlier. Just my GIRs went down, a lot. I now average 27 - 28 putts a round. I average 6-8 up and downs. I average 10-11 fairways. My 3 iron still gets a tad bit wild at times. Not much, but some. But playing from the Whites, irons only, means I need to count on a lot of Up and Downs. And at first hated that fact. My approach shots went from easier 8 or 9 irons to 5 and 6 irons and needed, of course, to be more accurate. So it was a good challenge. One day I will add my 3W from the Whites and hopefully start shooting low to mid 70s. My goal is to add a driver and move back further to the Blues (6,435 yrds). Till then, I am not moving back up to the Reds, for now - except an occasional round by myself. You see, I am now playing 7 iron thru wedges and putter from the Blues. HUH? Yes, I give myself one stroke per hole, but started shooting in the mid 80s, and then lower to the mid 70s, and today, shot a 71. May seem easy, but on two par 3s, a 7i won’t get you to the green. Usually into too much wind and too much elevation on a few of them. Two par 5s into the wind which play 538 & 563 yrds means you have to hit every 7 iron clean and really, four very good 7 irons - and you still won’t be to the green! Plan on a lot of Up and Downs. One muffed 7 iron and you can add strokes quickly. In fact, on twelve of the holes, plan on basically all Up and Downs. You won’t reach the green with two 7 irons, nor on some, with 3 7 iron hits.. Or on two of the par 5s, by your 4th hit. Oh, you may be by the green or just over the green, but GIRs are tough to get. I would guess you are hitting the 7 iron 38-40 times per round just to get down the fairways, especially in high winds. But I can now hit my 7 iron 175-180 from any spot on any fairway and straight and long. My 8 iron is almost back to 164 yards. My confidence is super high right now. And truthfully, I am having the time of my life playing golf. My Up and Down rates, are now even higher. And now I am chipping/pitching at least one shot from off the green, if not two - per round. After a round of this 7 iron thru wedges from the Blues at 6,435 yards, I then play a round from the Whites, all irons, but irons only. Still no woods, no drivers. My goal is to start shooting from the Whites and only irons in the mid to high 70s with those friends who demand I move back, and occasional shoot from the Reds in the low to mid 70s and maybe break par a few times, when I play by myself. Then, and only then, will I take my 3W out of the closet. Yes, one day I will add that 3W back into the bag and play from the Whites and hopefully shoot mid to low 70s regularly. Then one day, will add a driver and play from the Blues, or maybe the tips, and work on getting those scores down. I just know for now, playing one round from the Blues, the 7 iron thru wedges and putter, which I now call 7UP (as a game), is just too much fun. So I am in no hurry to try my 3W again. I love to play the 7UP game from the Blues, followed by the next round from the Whites, using all my irons, and it seems I can beat most people who are blasting their drivers and hybrids all over the place. LOL. I mean, I’ve only been playing golf for 11 months and if I find this fun, then so be it. I love it. Finally, my golf life anniversary is this Nov 20th, a full year - after picking up some clubs. Late start as I just turned 60 last July. My municipal course has no bunkers but… if they ever add any, will have to make the drive to Mr. ShortGame’s house for a few pointers!

[@ZaxDrumsandGolf]

Your tip on the par 5 3rd hole about swinging smooth and easy on the drive is totally correct it's about making good contact or like you said smash factor!! I wish we would of done this back when I was playing high school golf back in the day!! Great video Matt!! 🏌‍♂⛳👍😀

[@donsmnc5319]

You are spot on with what your saying about doing the 4 tee challenge, getting off the forward tees is way harder than most players think it is, there is a very fine line between going really low and playing a solid round, yes forward tees can tighten up the course, short game short game is key to scoring, that course is definitely a harder get than most from the forward tees, when the demons are dancing its going to be a tough day, keep grinding

[@geoffcohen613]

My golf coach has given me a great challenge and learning path. Develop the skills to Break 80 off forward tees, then move back a set, break 80, then move back anther set, break80. Etc Fantastic improvement path. The new World handicap system adjusts your handicap from all tee boxes and allows you to play in a competition from which ever set you want.

[@allahalibaba9063]

Matt. I player from the forwaed tees the Red ones for the first time...Since I have not played in over a year and am come back off injures...Did not find them any harder then the Golds but did hit more wedge shots instead of 9's 7's and 5's. Good way to come back and get into the game...Thanks...

[@keithsingleton1698]

I really appreciate these videos. The fact that you show every good, and not so good, shot is awesome. In looking at this episode, it is apparent that you got into your own head. I think the whole “Break 60” is what is doing it to you. Instead, I would be focused on one thing…… birdies. Just that. How many birdies can I get - one hole at a time. The further away from 60 you got, the harder you seemed to struggle. I recently played at Kona Country Club in Hawaii and arrived 1 day after they aerated the greens (go figure). So putting was pure luck. As a result, my first round was pretty high. The next round we decided that IF you make greens in regulation, you automatically get the par. However, no harm in shooting for that birdie. With that mindset, we were dropping pars almost every hole because the pressure was off. At the end of the day, I dropped 7 strokes from the previous round. As you have said, it is a mind game.

[@larryyoung9106]

I do a annual forward tee tournament for charity. I also add one toss or throw per hole. If you hole out with your toss or throw it doesn't count as a stroke (the toss doesn't count as a stroke anyway). I also give a prize to the highest score for people that have luck like yours...It takes a lot of low handicappers out of their element because they are not used to playing from the forward tee's. Our course is 5472 yards from the forward tee's.

[@danmartin3402]

After 50 years of playing the "men's Tees" my buddy and I play only the forward tees now and have way more fun. The stigma of playing the "Ladies Tees" is what keeps many golfers from having a whole knew experience on a course they thought they knew well. Trouble you can't reach off the back tees is suddenly in play and frankly, hitting driver/mid iron or wedge instead of driver/3 wood on a par 4 is more like how the pros are playing. Pete Dye and Jack Nicholas were huge proponents of the Tee It Forward because they realized weekend golfers would have more fun and it would increase the speed of play. Side note: The starter at Mesquite Country Club told us that as soon as they changed the color of the Tee markers from Red to Green, the "ladies tees" became the most popular tee block! Thanks for the great video!

[@gene2024]

Great video. My buddy and I talk about the senior and forward tees. Our summary is, "You still have to make the shots!!" Thanks for the lesson.

[@christopherbrady8962]

Love it Matt! Front tees make you think differently for sure. Jet and Sky's camerawork has improved and they give great perspectives. Nice work guys! Try to keep from laughing at your pops! 😂

[@Hosstache]

I agree with you on hole 2. Mr Short Game should be good with his wedge!!!😊

[@michaellaguitan8125]

This is an awesome series. I really have never tried playing from the forward tees. But I have played a few rounds from the senior tees with a couple of seasoned friends 😄 every now and then. I go in thinking I'll shoot a better score than I normally do. I was wrong. I shot worse. I didn't understand. But after seeing this challenge. It makes sense. You have to be in control of your shots. You have to play smarter. Know your club distances. All of this is the same thinking you would use from your normal tees. But moving forward does change the dynamic. Even at your home course. It is a mind game. I'm thinking our group should play the forward tees this week to challenge our game. Thanks for this video Matt!!

[@NineEyeRon]

I’m playing the forward tees this week!

[@wkndwarrior4733]

I’ve been playing the senior tees when I play with my dad. You end up with way more chances at birdie. I had 4 birdies recently (my record). But you have to think about your distances off the tee. I find myself in water and hazards that I didn’t think I could reach even when clubbing down. But on the holes that are wide open I end up with a big advantage

[@wkndwarrior4733]

Also we go to 30a every year. Really hope to stay at Watersound one day. Sharks tooth looks awesome!

[@peterandresen328]

It really shows weaknesses and strengths it sharp detail, we have all suffered that challenge . Thanks 😊

[@michaeltapp]

That was a fun video! Thank you Matt!

[@doncavanaugh4268]

I’m 69 with 3 years experience. I play the forward tees and make bogeys and pars and usually 1 birdie every round. A lot of the codgers I play with who play from the white tees rarely make a par. Why make a difficult game even more difficult? Drop that ego nonsense and have more fun! Side note. I played with a retired couple. The husband played from the forward tees. Then they would drive to his ball and the wife would take her tee shot from there. That is a great way to do it and it kept her from slowing the pace of play.

[@jeffserbin8216]

I just did this recently at my local course. 5200 yards where I normally play it at 6500. Every par 4 is drivable and I also almost drove a par 5. However, it tightens the course. Closer to the hole is more trouble. I actually was 5 under on the front but then shot 1 over on the back. Its a great way to practice accuracy off the tee, up and downs, wedges, and going low. But it definitely is not as easy as people might think. I had a lot of shots from 50 yards and in. Really showed me I have to work on my wedge game and putting.

[@sammundi3409]

Love the series Matt! Keep it going 👍

[@davidrievley4069]

Kudos for showing a less than stellar, by your standards round. Appriciate your tips and insights.

[@guyhall6592]

Thx Mattty, This forward tee thing has revitalized my attitude never mind my game. 77, 74 last two attempts at Hemet CC - 4969 / 66.3 Thursday GOD willing of course, I’ll break 70 as we return to the badlands of hemet, ca 10.27 is my 63rd, my grp is playing Los Serranos south, chino hills, ca Front tees: 6082 / 74.1 Get your ass out here and tackle this beast w/us. You remember playing with no humidity, don’t ya?! All the best, GOD Bless! 🙏🏻😎🙏🏻

[@mysporty7149]

I new golfer try the forward t day no warm up but had great time

[@rheffner3]

Hey Matt, next time I play my course I will play the forward tees. Should be fun. Thanks for the advice.

[@davidcole2337]

Great finch shot on #2.

[@BenBGolf]

Love this series! You're making me want to try this too! Keep it up!

[@darthbog2125]

29:52 nearest point, no closer, about where we'd be lol very advantageous drop there

[@tedzink4574]

Yep, bad drop.

[@tonyroma9305]

Go up to Red Sky Ranch in Vail Co. Norman and Kite courses. Good luck!

[@TheShoopdaddy]

Come play golf with me in The Villages. Plenty of opportunity to work on that short game with these executive courses 42 in fact, some are no joke of a challenge!! Then we have the other 14 championship courses.

[@williamherker4176]

Because of my age and health problems I can only hit my driver 150-160. So I play from the 200 yard marker or close to it. I hit a 5 or 7 wood and then hit my wedges in from there. I have played 20 rounds under par this year and 50 rounds of par or not more than 2-3 over. I love playing golf it makes it more fun than hitting 5 into the green and then 2-3 putt. Most of my rounds I have 4-5 one putt holes. My short game has gotten really good. People ask me to play in their outings and I hit from the center of the fairway where I can score the best. My short game and putting has won some of these outings for my group.

[@jasontheflyingfarrierhays]

This series is great Mr. Short Game.

[@stevemcvay2220]

What was that first putt on hole 5!?!?! Mr short game needs this series to get the short game tuned up it looks like!

[@clearlyflawed3204]

On hole #15, wouldn’t relief for “ground under repair” be a free drop - to the closest point of complete relief NOT nearer the hole?

[@dogsarefun2]

Moved to forward tees couple years ago, a lot more fun.... 7 hc on forwards... You still have to hit good shots and putt well to score low. Instead of hitting 5-7 irons from middle tees, now hitting SW-9i on most holes.

[@philiparonson8315]

I have found that forward tees are a mixed bag. On ‘longer’ par 3s with an elevated green one sometimes gets a ‘green wall’ requiring a straight up pitch to the green, not an easy shot. On par 4s there may be a tendency to try to reach the green with an inaccurate club. Also, as some have stated, on ‘lay up’ par 5s the hazard, usually a creek, comes into play at unexpected distances. It’s really a different game from those tees.

[@sylvester2294]

I get asked why , at 80 years old, I play from the blue tees....I simply say...I can do just as badly from back there...As you intimate..the game is made after the T shot...assuming one can make a decent drive and keep it out of major trouble... Good that you say smooth and good contact ..my golf buddy has 10 mph more club head speed than I...but I almost always out hit him with the driver...but he is longer with the irons. Pro's seem to have as much trouble with the par 3's as with 4's or 5's ...

[@bassmasta9117]

Doing some Bryson DeChambeau forward tee practice

[@miguelitoaniceto5882]

I love playing red tees on a par three course because it tests your ability from 80yds and in.

[@dathyr1]

Not really, but I do get to use different clubs for my shots around my courses. Kind of a change of paste from the boring normal play.

[@thegreatgeorge007]

Matt, I feel your pain. I enjoy this series but I would like to see more collaborations with other youtube golf people. I would like to see you with Micha, Grant or Matt Sharpe. Look forward to your next video.

[@topgunbass]

2nd shot is everything. Good luck.

[@tedzink4574]

Personally, I think the 2nd and 3rd shots are the most crucial scoring shots most of the time. There are exceptions of course, but if either of those two are good, they'll set a player up for birdies and pars.

[@mikeakers2043]

great video. i hear the pain in your voice. i have had rounds like this where you hit the ball well but just cant seam to get that rhythm going.

[@tintruck2885]

I love your honest videos ! Good work

[@fretless05]

How often do you get to 3-putt and score par?! Similar to playing from the front, I find that playing executive courses really present the same challenges. Tricky par 3s and par 4s give very little room for error.

[@altie29]

last time I tried this, I shot a 110 ... and I was having trouble off the teeboxes, not with my short game. my previous 18 hole round (from my usual tees) was an 85 lol

[@christianrichter518]

I can feel your frustration, tough day with nothing going your way.

[@mpare49]

Forward tee tournament would be a great idea.

[@vintageswiss9096]

I max drive 240... long 220 par 3s are much easier for me from the long tees with a 3w...

[@jamesbigga8843]

“No retreat no surrender” 51/38 is what I carded in a club tournament few years ago. (I no longer play winter golf lol)

[@dudleycornman1624]

My strategy for playing the forward tees at our club is to pretty much have 14 100 yard approach shots and do the best I can on the par 3s.

[@CallMeJackWagon]

Smooth swing goes farther due to a lack of tension. Tension in a hard swing actually slows the clubhead down because you're not letting it release naturally...

[@stevencook4002]

Ok Jack.

[@rheffner3]

Sure, play a forward tee event where I live in Italy. It would be fun. lol

[@golfdoc1950]

I’m 73, play the gray tees at 5000 yards. Broke par for the first time

[@Stevenewmansa]

Been playing the short tees with my wife a fair amount lately. As a high handicapper it makes me feel much more competent. Much easier to get greens in regulation. But people love making comments, random people you have never met. And that's why guys don't do this.

[@ThePhantom740]

North Carolina

[@connerm4850]

“Mr. Short Game” 😊

[@Cryptonomics7]

mrshortgame- I often times feel the same way. Swing is good, but mental thoughts ge tin the way. Do you suggest anything for mental game/ focus/ and just strengthening that part of the game?

[@tmooregolfer]

How are you figuring your handicap rating must be near 65 plus esier slope rating ?

[@JasonNortwich]

what size grips are those - standard or medium

[@kickturncurtis606]

You know what they say more birdies more fun!

[@eigenfrequency9875]

"Why is smooth fast?" It's not about smash factor. I recommend everybody to get their swing speed measured by a radar, without ball. I was shocked to learn that my concept of fast was anything but. It was actually slower than my really slow smooth swing. Club head speed is not about how hard you turn, but how fast the club head really is and this can only be achieved by very loose arms and wrists.

[@scottsmith6871]

All depends on your game. If you are decent off the tee, it is easier. You are driver wedge on most holes.

[@TickleNation]

Forward tees from the Bryan brothers course! Collab???

[@paulwags662]

It can be if you don't understand good course management

[@wrtii2101]

What are the tees rating?

[@paulthomson2288]

It can be like playing a different course when you choose forward tees.

[@andycummings2274]

Well if its going to be a tournament of the front tees ... the belfry ( England ) come on down !!!

[@lvond555]

Shortgame discount code to stay at Watersound?

[@ristoaksila5677]

Did you fix the flag pitch marks made on the 11th green?😁

[@peterryan7340]

The expectation is to score well from the front tees. Actually doing it, that'll do your head in until your game clicks in

[@scottsmith6871]

Maybe put the distance from the forward tees on the screen, when you are playing from them.

[@coolboatguy]

Gonna hit 7 iron. Get a good strike on it. Keep it a little right of the hole. Went left of the hole...

[@guyhall6592]

Vegas

[@jjurias1525]

Is that a new putter in the bag

[@Handletaken4]

Here goes: a launch monitor can measure ball speed only. It cannot measure club head ACCELERATION! Club head speed is a bogus variable because two swing which impact the ball at 100mph can result in vastly different results. The swing which accelerates from 0-100 on a smooth curve and continues to increase after impact is going to go 1.3-1.5 times as far as the swing which reaches 100mph 24" from impact then drops to 60 mph after impact and results is some weak shot. This is why hackers who are 160 from the water pull out an 8i and take a smooth layup swing and blast it into the pond. I see it weekly.

[@johnhubbard7384]

Let's play True Blue at Myrtle Beach.

[@rdrokitpower-rockblues]

Wait till you get to be in your 70s and wish there was a forward tee box in front of the forward tees. We play a local rule if you are over 75 you can tee up your ball from anywhere.....a lot of driver second shots.😄

[@jonathanbrown6545]

i don’t know about you guys, but i think it’s time Matt has some KZbin matches against other KZbin golfers

[@SingleMaltBuckeye]

Hey hi from Ohio

[@Cryptonomics7]

is this a rerun? lol. I play back tees and notice that when I play white or closer I dont go after the ball (hit it as far) as I do when I play back. Its very odd.

[@dogsarefun2]

See a lot of "golfers" playing pro tees and middle ones that can't even hit a ball.... Crazy, one foursome of twenty somethings must have lost a dozen balls on one hole, picked up a couple of new pro v1's they "hit".

[@jaegerbombgaming6635]

Not enough alrights = lack of stress relief= tension = bad shots. 😅 Joking aside, saying alright might actually be a trigger word for you that gets you focused. The mind is weird like that

[@midniteryder58]

Yes. Because of the odd yardage.

[@douglaswarner3154]

All your shots are going to the right side of the fairway! You need to check your set up !

[@cubro64]

Any reason you don't collaborate with other youtube golfers? I see you making videos of how much they make and all that but why not just play some matches and build relationships?

[@scottsmith6871]

MG, honestly, this might be the round with most bad shots I have seen you shoot. You would kill this course the next time you tried it.

[@GP-yc2it]

Yeah the forward tees don't chip and putt for you, unfortunately. Great challenge!

[@williamklein6749]

Is golf harder from the forward tees? When you can only hit a driver 175 yards ( like me) it's the only way to play golf.

[@MasterMotivatorsClub]

I find that always, always, always... high expectations results in poor performance. It is best to check one's ego at the club house. Go in laughing at yourself. Dump the expectations. You will do so much better. The forward tee's are just for people who can't drive it that far. If you got surplus distance and then play the forward tees, there is no advantage.

[@johnverducci965]

I noticed that you used a driver from the forward a lot during this. That is not what you teach. I play forward with my daughter. On a par 4 - 357 yard why are you not hitting a 220 yard club in the fairway and have a good shot from the fairway at 137 yards? MSG you always talk about course management. Do this challenge again and manage the course.

[@jamiesloan7259]

Would the forward tees be easier, if you hit an iron off of every tee to the fat part of the fairway? Absolutely. However, hitting driver has you basically hitting lonnnng approach shots into the greens. And where is all the trouble? Yep. Around the greens. Even if you manage to keep it in play, you’ll still be left with some very weird chips, and pitches. Forward tees are NOT as easy as you think. I’ve did it a few times, myself. On a good ball striking day, you can definitely go low, because you’ll have way more makable birdie tries. But, guess what? If your putting is shit, then you’ll STILL do good to shoot around par. Give it a try before you judge. lol

[@dogsarefun2]

LOL, many shots I have left for shot to green in 40 - 80 yds range. Sometimes wish I had a full wedge or 8-9i shot instead.

[@shavencarrot]

I'll answer your question with a question, is golf harder from the tips?

[@EldredMerricks]

I would have DEFINITELY used long irons in every hole so my approaches would be 120 and in… and you wouldn’t go driver with narrow shots from the back tees so why would you do that on short tees🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️ It’s not about practice Matt your title says break 60 - sooooooo BREAK 60!!!

[@calvindebeverly7410]

You're disappointed when you get par. I am disappointed if I don't end my game with the same ball I stared with. Btw I always play from the front tees.