Michigan Golf Journal November 2021

needed to make a leap forward, but the ones who did and followed the Tee it Forward campaign’s advice, have almost unanimously enjoyed the benefits. More than 80% say they’ve had more fun. Also at 80% is the number of golfers who answered that golfers playing from the wrong tee for their game is a “big problem.” So, why don’t more golfers move up? Most would say it’s because human behavioral changes in consumers and operators require a lot of time, effort and intervention. National advertising helps create needed awareness, but is insufficient to overcome the inertia of ego, convenience and conformity, which golfers – virtually all of them – willingly admit stand in the way. Perhaps so does the effects of a club in one hand and a beer in the other while razzing your buddies. “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 digit handicaps would probably return. Still, it should be noted that some golf course operators are having success in getting their customers to play the correct tees. Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President Golf Operations and Resort Sales at Boyne Resorts addressed these issues years ago . “We started with four tees and now have six tee options at all our courses as of 2018. We encourage our guests to play from yardages they are used to and not the perceived Continues on next page>> 23 November 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com