Michigan Golf Journal March 2021

21 March 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com assumptions: female ‘scratch’ players at 210 yards, ‘bogey’ at 150 and male ‘scratch’ at 250, with ‘bogey’ golfers at 200 yards. However, nowhere is there any provision for age. It’s possible that the current handicapping system isn’t equitable toward seniors, many whose only real flaw is lack of distance. Using proper teeing areas helps but what happens when one is ridiculed for moving up to a more manageable ‘senior’ distance….something even golf legend Jack Nicklaus advocates? Obviously, there are also social issues to overcome. “I’m just a 90’s shooter now….” said former collegiate golfer Anthony P., who shot mid-70’s during his competitive days. “I can’t reach greens but my playing buddies object if I move forward.” Rotator cuff surgery further curbed Anthony’s mobility, and distance faded significantly. Still fit at age 67, with a 14-handicap, he continues to play his home club at the ‘regular men’s’ yardage of 6500, about 900 yards too long for his 185-yard drives. Again, the only skill lacking is distance. If he used tees equal to his driving ability, single digits would probably return. In fairness, Anthony’s club has multiple sets of rated tees and combos from which male members can play, ranging from 6950 to almost 5900. Yet, in Blue Tee tournament competition, there’s a requirement for moving up to the White tees: age and handicap must exceed 85. But who determined this formula, and is it equitable? Bob Jones, almost 80 years old, catches forward-tee Continues on next page >>