The Importance of Eliminating the Taboo on Expressing Sartorial Preferences via T-shirts
🏌️♂️ Let's Get Real About Golf:
No more boasting about how far you can hit it, it's time to embrace the sensible approach and play from the right tees! A significant stride forward in golf inclusivity is happening right now, as more courses are introducing multi-tee competitions. This allows golfers to play from the most suitable tees and enjoy the game to its fullest potential.
Historically, our oversized egos have played too big a role, fueling the misconception that the longer the course, the richer the experience. Thankfully, that mindset is slowly shifting.
In 2022, the USGA and R&A revealed some eye-opening facts:
- The average amateur male golfer, regardless of skill level, hits about 215 yards off the tee.
- Golfer handicaps between 13 and 20 average around 200 yards.
- Golfers with single-digit to low double-digit handicaps average just shy of 220 yards.
- Those with a handicap below six average just shy of 240 yards.
These figures may not line up with our own self-perception, but progress is being made in not heading back as far before teeing off.
Kingsbarns, a seven-mile journey from the Old Course at St Andrews, is an absolute bucket-list course. The meticulous attention to detail and top-notch service rival the breathtaking Kyle Phillips design. They leave no stone unturned in ensuring a visit to this world-class links is as enjoyable as possible, starting with the course and choosing the most appropriate tees.
Garry Forrester, the Director of Golf at Kingsbarns, explains their approach:
Multiple Tees:
They believe the ultimate golf experience comes when your playing ability matches the hole-by-hole challenges. The slope rating is a vital worldwide indicator of difficulty, as is total yardage. Add variable wind and weather conditions to the mix, and an honest assessment is crucial before choosing your course.
Kingsbarns offers a variety of options, ranging from the 5,231-yard Red course (slope 119) to the 7,226-yard Black tees with a slope of 141. Given the weather and your preferred level of challenge, you should decide which tee suits you best.
The 1st tee starter will remind your group of your "flow of play" responsibilities, ensuring smooth gameplay by staying ahead of the game behind and maintaining pace with the group ahead. When facing trouble, adjust your course color accordingly.
Most visitors opt for the Green tees at just over 6,400 yards, but in recent times, there's been an increase in golfers who want to "play up" from the Blue tees at 6,000 yards. To assist, they recommend the following general guideline for tee choice:- Black Tees (Handicap: Scratch or better)- White (Handicap: 5 or lower)- Green (Handicap: 6-18)- Blue (Handicap: 14-24)- Red Tees (Handicap: 20 and above)
For mixed-handicap fourballs, groups often regulate themselves and agree on a variety of tee boxes. Their primary goal is to ensure you have the best time and enjoy the course.
They advocate the concept of "ready golf" at all times.
Pace of Play:
At Kingsbarns, your golfers should relish the challenges of Links golf, while taking moments to chat with caddies or snap photos of the stunning East Neuk of Fife coastline. Their 4-hour, 40-minute benchmark allows for such moments, as well as a midway sausage roll at their halfway Bunker Bar.
To maintain a smooth gameflow, they position on-course assistants strategically, offering aid when needed. The team is always on hand to help get the group back on track, regardless of the hiccups that might occur during a round.
General Advice:
The principle to keep in mind is to play from a set of tees that align with your ability and the weather on that given day. There's a fine line between ambition and ability, and it's easy to get the two mixed up.
A common misconception is that a links course must play shorter than a parkland counterpart. Don't be fooled – there's a World Handicap System in place that offers a fair challenge, especially when you consider the allowances it makes[1][2].
Most golfers visiting are here on vacation, coming from places where golf is predominately played using carts. Though they have a limited fleet of carts, golf in Scotland/Kingsbarns is primarily a walking experience. Prepare for the physical challenge of 18 holes when choosing the most suitable tee for your game.
[1] Make sure to "tee it forward" to create a more enjoyable experience, especially for golfers with higher handicaps, as it makes the large and challenging greens more manageable. (enrichment: Inclusivity)
[2] Remember to pace yourself and maintain smooth gameplay to make the most of your round – the goal is to enjoy the course. (enrichment: Flow of play)
Golf enthusiasts can utilize sports-analysis to determine the appropriate golf clubs for their skill level, as they navigate the course at Kingsbarns. The varying tee options available, from the Red tees with a slope of 119 to the Black tees with a slope of 141, cater to a wide range of golfers, ensuring that the sports challenge is appropriate for each player. By choosing the right tees and adhering to the concept of "ready golf," golfers can maximize their enjoyment of the links golf experience at Kingsbarns, including engaging in sports-analysis discussions about their performance.
