Black, Blue or White Tee Box
February 28th, 2007 by Olaf Bound.sIt fails to amaze me the number of golfers who rarely understands the difference in playing the different sets of tee boxes. I believe a brief (if not long) explanation of these different colors is really important.
White tee – means entry level. It means you have just graduated from the driving range. For handicap 18 and above!
Advantages: Playing from this tee box shows your level of competence in actually hitting the ball. Builds great confidence on your long game, short game and loads of balls. The purpose of playing from this tee box is not to send in your score card for double figures for every odd hole or so!!!
Disadvantage: Nobody likes to play with you. Everyone, I mean everyone is teeing off from the blue tee. Makes you feel like you are wearing a damn skirt (no pun intended to the golf chicks out there).
Blue Tee – means you have a handicap of at least 18 or lower. Basically this is where normal golfers unfortunately tee from, regardless of handicap.
Advantages: Take your game to a whole new level. You are now hitting from a set of tees which inevitably will cause you to think that you have made it to the golfing world! You are already on level terms with about 75% of the golf playing population. Makes you work hard on your short game.
Disadvantage: Purely a mind game. To tee off from the white to the blue is about say 20 yards per hole. If that is the case, you should still be able to get a few holes in regulation, BZZZZZZ… Think again!!
Black Tee – literally means that this tee box is for tournament play or to be played by professionals. Please note the professionals refer herewith to golf professionals and not legal or medical or any other professional body.
Advantages: Gauges your skill level as compared to the local pro or touring pro (Tiger, Ernie, take your pick).
Disadvantages: Really kills your ego and plays havoc with your cost of playing golf! (Prepare a dozen golf balls or so before tee off).
My point is why make your life miserable! If you are able to drive a ball say… 200 yards. Playing for a par 4 (avg… 375 yards), the blue tee would be at 365 yards. That will leave you with 165 yards to the green! To me, that will be a 5 or 6 iron shot. Believe me, regulation is not an easy task.
However, playing from the white tee box, the yardage will be at 340 yards. With a normal drive of 200 yards, it will leave you with a 140 yard shot. Which, I believe for any golfer will be a 7 or 8 iron. A shorter club to the green will do wonders for your game! Even with a less than fantastic shot, you have a chance to take a par or a bogey! It also increases your confidence levels as well as speeding up play.
So, do yourself a favor and tee off from the right tee box! I guarantee. Your score and enjoyment level will go up a notch!
Sorry guys, if you are color blind…ask your playing partner!!