By Rick Woelfel

It’s no secret that golf can be an exercise in frustration. But golfers add to their frustrations if they play a longer golf course than they should; i.e. from tees that make the course play too long for their ability level.

Moving up to a forward set of tees offers a golfer a fresh perspective. Hazards are easier to deal confront or perhaps avoid altogether, and shorter clubs are required for approach shots.

Perhaps most importantly, playing from a forward set of tees allows a golfer to feel more relaxed mentally, particularly if they’re a new golfer or are not a particularly long hitter.

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The PGA of America launched a Tee it Forward initiative in 2011 to encourage golfers to play from forward markers.

Melissa Fritts is a United States Golf Teachers Association-certified instructor at Honeybrook Golf Club in Chester County.

Honrybrook features five sets of tees, two of which play to less than 5,000 yards; a third set measures just over 5,100 yards.

Fritts says ‘teeing it forward’ offers golfers , particularly newer golfers, distinct advantages.

“I think the main thing is obviously less obstacles for them,” she said. “Most of the forward tees are on the fairway. Maybe three or four are back on the tee box. Again, it doesn’t make the game easier, it makes the golfer feel more successful.

Fritts would like to see more golf facilities build additional sets of forward tees. “Let’s do the forward tees everywhere,” she said. “Me, personally, I put pressure on myself due to the fact that I thought I would do better because of the forward tees. That’s me. But I think the big thing is getting golfers out there, especially beginners, and seeing they’re capable of  doing this.”

A retired physical education teacher, Fritts believes that playing from forward tees helps golfers increase their confidence level.

“I was a teacher and every time my kids left the gym I wanted them to feel good about themselves and what they were doing,” she said. “The same here on the golf course. I want every man, woman and child to come out here and feel good about themselves.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Woelfel has worked in print and broadcast journalism for more than 35 years. He’s covered golf in one medium or another for more than 30.

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