A FREE and New Tool in Managing Pace of Play

In the Never-Ending Battle for Pace of Play: A New Ally

Mass Golf wants to introduce you to a new and powerful tool in your arsenal: the USGA’s “Best Tees” system. The USGA’s “Best Tees” system is a program designed to help golfers select the most appropriate set of tees for their game by using their average 7-iron distance as a primary metric. This system aims to ensure golfers are playing from tees that allow them to comfortably reach fairways on par-4s and par-5s and reach the vicinity of greens in regulation, promoting a more enjoyable and potentially faster-paced round.

After interviewing hundred of golf professionals, thousands of golfers and analyzing millions of rounds, here’s what the USGA learned:

• More than half of all golfers play a course length that is too long for the experience they want. Sometimes this is by choice but other times there are not tee options available.
• Results are positive: rounds increase when shorter course options are available and golfer enjoyment increases when playing from best tees.
• This will get new golfers off to a better start, increase fun for avid golfers, improve pace of play, and keep all golfers in the game longer.

 

How the System Works

Step 1- Determine your 7-iron distance: The foundation of the system relies on golfers knowing their average 7-iron hitting distance.

Step 2 – Match to course length: The USGA provides charts and a calculator that correlate 7-iron distances with recommended total course lengths. For instance, a 7-iron distance of 110 yards might correspond to a best course length of 4,800 – 5,000 yards, according to USGA charts.

Step 3 – Consider course playability: Beyond pure distance, the USGA also emphasizes adjusting your tee selection based on the course’s difficulty. Factors like raised greens, narrow approaches, deep bunkers, and forced carries can influence whether you might choose a shorter or longer set of tees than your 7-iron distance alone might suggest.

Step 4 – Adjust for skill level: The system acknowledges that individual skill levels and preferences also play a role. For example, a high-handicap golfer might find a course recommended by their 7-iron distance too challenging, and could consider moving up to a shorter set of tees.

Why the 7-Iron?

The 7-iron is used because most golfers have a good understanding of how far they hit this club, making it a reliable baseline for determining their approximate hitting power. This system was developed through analysis of World Handicap System scores, hitting-distance data, and golfer surveys.

How do I get a chart for my course?

As a member of the Club Partner Program, you can have a chart developed for your course. Both the Club Partner Program and the Best Tees chart are free of charge to Mass Golf Member Clubs.

 

Register for Club Partner Program

 

---

Learn More About the Club Partner Program

Mark Gagne
Senior Director of Member Services
Mass Golf
774-430-9107
mgagne@massgolf.org

---

About Mass Golf

Mass Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts by building an engaged and inclusive community around the sport.

With a community made up of over 130,000 golf enthusiasts and over 360 member clubs, Mass Golf is one of the largest state golf associations in the country. Members enjoy the benefits of handicapping, engaging golf content, course rating and scoring services along with the opportunity to compete in an array of events for golfers of all ages and abilities.

At the forefront of junior development, Mass Golf is proud to offer programming to youth in the state through First Tee Massachusetts and subsidized rounds of golf by way of Youth on Course.