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The Mental Game - Ego and the tee box    Back to Topics  Page: 1 of 16     
From: sleestak33 (1 of 154)   11/4/2008 7:51:15 AM
To:
As everybody knows I "tip it out" when I play and it never ceases to amaze me when I play as a single the guys who were all set to play the forward tee box decide to join me at the back. Or the ones that don't say something like "I'm going to play the whites, is that ok?" I mean...what am I gong to say to that "No, you have to play back here with me!" I guess it's that male ego that gets guys and I swear about 70% of the time they leave their tee box and join me when they have absolutely no business playing back there. You should play whatever tee box you're comfortable with.

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From: whynotgolf (2 of 154)   11/4/2008 8:30:52 AM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
I don't tip it out often, but when I do it's a course I've already played the tips before, or it doesn't have a ton of 430+ yd par 4s. I'm rarely ever influenced to tip it out by another player.

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From: BarreNone (3 of 154)   11/4/2008 8:39:49 AM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
It would probably make your round (and their's) more enjoyable to encourage them NOT to join you on the back tee. My experience (playing the "blue tee," I don'typically play from the tips) is that when people play the wrong tee they also overswing, make bad course management choices, etc. Unless you make you living playing golf, there is no reason not to play the tee that suits your skill level even if that means playing from different tees. Ego will only cause frustration.

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From: SingleD (4 of 154)   11/4/2008 1:50:07 PM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
I know exactly what your talking about, mid-hi cap ego's ruin more golf games then skill.

As you say, people that should be playing 6200yds think its fitting to follow to my choice in tee's. I've been keeping my yardages to -6800yds but intermittently visit the 7018+yds 145 sloped nut crackers where some holes have testy forced carries and daunting Par 3's; it's really frustrating to watch someone that hasn't the game face the abuse.

I've started saying during introductions "play the tee's your most comfortable with", and then I wait a bit and see where they go; and that seems to work. What I have also noticed are those that follow me to the Blue/Black tee's and 2 holes later sheepishly say their are moving forward; I say, fine we need to enjoy the game.

I am really starting to believe we have to be more outspoken on the matter before teeing off.
Edited 11/4/2008 1:57:00 PM by SingleD

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From: Son Tom Wat (5 of 154)   11/4/2008 2:55:45 PM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
I agree and it's a weird phenom. It basically comes down to people who don't play for themselves, but play for what other people think ot them.
Often, I'll just move up too so that I don't have to heard cats all day.
One trick that seems to work, after the discussion on what tees to play - I don't voice an opinion and just say, play whatever tees you wish. Then, when they settle on wherever, I let them tee off first. Once they've teed off, I announce I'm going back.
Usually, they stay where they are.
Another thing that suprises me is how many "hackers" don't want to play with better golfers. I'm amazed how they shrink back into their carts and say they aren't good enough ... even when I tell them it makes no difference to me. They'll still be uncomfortable. (not playing for themselves).
When I started, I always wanted to play with the best golfer I could possibly find.... but I do see how some scratch/single digit golfers behave, and can totally understand why they don't want to play with them - I don't want to either.

But there are many who will stay up on the tees they originally choose and look at you sideways until you've proved to them that you can play back there.

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From: BreakingPar (6 of 154)   11/4/2008 3:18:51 PM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
For me it's the opposite.

When given the choice I usually play the second to back tees (usually blue), but most of the people I end up playing with play the whites.

When we meet up on the first tee, I watch where the majority go to (which is usually the white). I'll then sheepishly say, "guys, I'm going to try the blues today."

I'm the one that ends up feeling like I've got the ego problem and am playing the wrong tees!! LOL.

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From: DonnyG (7 of 154)   11/5/2008 1:30:20 PM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
Great post. My group's discussion about this has grown over the last couple of years. Some were playing blues who really shouldn't have and now have cahnged to whites. I play blues almost exclusively because I've worked at my game and am comfortable there, whereas from whites on many courses a lot of trouble is reachable and I can't play my game. My philosophy matches exactly your last sentence - play from where you're going to enjoy the day most. My own rule is that I max out at about 6800 - 6900 yards or around a 128 slope. I'll play with any calibre of player as long as they are schooled in etiquette,keep pace and enjoy the day.

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From: SingleD (8 of 154)   11/5/2008 2:09:54 PM
To: DonnyG In response to Post 7
Donny - when you properly use your clubs to the best of your ability - you can play your game from red, white, blue or black tee's without finding the trouble. I do it regularly.
Trying playing shorter tee's 6000-6300yds using irons only; that's a fun test of irons and wedges for me - takes the ego out while demanding accuracy.

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From: Son Tom Wat (9 of 154)   11/5/2008 2:23:05 PM
To: SingleD In response to Post 8
I agree, it's great use the irons and play the course on those short distances ... perhaps more satifying than fun. Fun is trying to use a driver on every tee from up there LOL.

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From: Free Minds, Free Markets (10 of 154)   11/5/2008 2:57:16 PM
To: sleestak33 In response to Post 1
I have no problem with people playing any tee they want as long as they keep up the pace of play.

I like the tips since most courses are designed from the tips first, then front tees are added. It's not ego.

I hit far enough that the front tees bring in lots more trouble so I end up hitting a long iron or 3 wood off the tee. From the tips, I can hit driver.

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