Forward thinking

Have you ever thought you want to play a golf course that suits your length off the tee? You're not alone.

TEE IT FORWARD is a new initiative scheduled July 5-17 for golf facilities nationwide. The goal is to help golfers have a more overall enjoyable experience by playing from a set of tees that is best suited for their games based on their driving distance. The PGA of America and United States Golf Association partnered to support the initiative. GCSAA is encouraging its members to support the initiative with the golfers and leadership at golf facilities.

The intention goes something like this: hit 6- and 7-irons instead of hybrids and long irons on approach shots, shorten distance traveled on each hole, and reduce the number of lost golf balls. All of those factors are expected to make it a more enjoyable round on the golf course.

Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf, introduced the concept for TEE IT FORWARD. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus gives a thumbs-up to the initiative.

"I love the game of golf, but I will be the first to tell you that there are things about our game we need to improve," Nicklaus said. "Now, the PGA of America and the USGA have come together to develop ways that can make the game more attractive and more enjoyable.

"All of us deeply involved in the game constantly encourage golfers of all skill levels to play the proper tees, but too often golfers want to bite off as much of the golf course as they can. What ends up suffering is their scorecard and their overall enjoyment. This program should help stimulate people to play the proper tees and maximize the golf experience."

TEE IT FORWARD, according to the PGA of America and USGA, isn't necessarily about creating new sets of tees. What it is about, however, is positively changing the mindset of golfers, such as moving forward to 6,000-6,200 yards instead of 6,500-6,700. The 6,700-yard course that many amateur golfers play is proportionally equivalent to a PGA Tour player competing on a course that measures 8,100 yards, which is about 700 yards or more longer than a typical PGA Tour layout.

"Simply put, TEE IT FORWARD can make golf much more fun for millions of people," PGA of America President Allen Wronowski said. "We believe that by moving up to another set of tees, golfers will experience an exciting, new approach to the game that will produce more enjoyment and elevate their desire to come back and play even more golf."