The back tees, also known as the championship tees, are the farthest tees on a golf course. These tees offer the longest playing distance and are typically used by golfers with lower handicaps, professional golfers, and during tournaments.
Why Use the Back Tees?
There are a few reasons why golfers might choose to play from the back tees:
- Challenge: Back tees offer the greatest challenge on the course, requiring longer and more precise shots.
- Distance: Golfers with a longer driving distance can take advantage of the extra yardage provided by the back tees.
- Tournament Play: Most professional tournaments and some amateur competitions use the back tees to ensure a true test of skill for the players.
Considerations Before Playing from the Back Tees
While back tees offer a challenge and prestige, it’s important to consider your skill level before playing from them:
- Skill Level: Golfers with a higher handicap may find the back tees to be too difficult and frustrating.
- Enjoyment: The goal of golf is to have fun. If playing from the back tees is significantly impacting your enjoyment of the game, it might be better to choose a closer tee box.
- Course Difficulty: Some courses are naturally more challenging than others. Even skilled golfers may find the back tees on a particularly difficult course to be overly demanding.
Choosing the Right Tee Box
Ultimately, the best tee box to play from is the one that allows you to have the most enjoyable and challenging round possible. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a tee box:
- Your handicap: Lower handicaps can typically handle the back tees, while higher handicaps may benefit from a shorter tee box.
- The length of the course: Longer courses will naturally be more challenging from the back tees.
- Course difficulty: Consider the overall difficulty of the course layout and features.
- Your personal preference: Choose the tee box that allows you to play your best golf and have the most fun.
Related Terms
- Tee Markers: These colored markers indicate the various teeing areas for each hole, with the back tees typically denoted by blue tees (though color variations exist).
- Par: The designated number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole. Playing from the back tees may adjust the par for some holes.
- Handicap: A numerical system reflecting a golfer’s relative skill level. Handicap systems may take into account playing from the back tees.
