Vancouver Parks Golf New Tee Box Program, Is Very Forward Thinking
The Following Is From The Vancouver Parks Golf Newsletter And Outlines Their New 'Tee It Forward' Program. A Very Forward Thinking Program, Indeed.
Courtesy Vancouver Parks Golf
You have likely seen the construction and grow-in of a set of forward tees at all three of our Championship golf courses. These new tees are opening for play today, June 1, 2021 as part of a larger initiative to make golf welcoming, faster and enjoyable for everyone who plays the game.
At the same time, all three of our Championship courses have also received new tee markers that are numbers instead of golf's traditional colours.
The tees boxes are now numbered 1 thru 4 at McCLeery and Langara and 1 thru 5 at Fraserview with tee box #1 being the longest.
We want all of our Vancouver Park Board golfers to enjoy their time at our facilities. We strive to exceed our customers expectations and to provide an exceptional public golf experience.
We hope that our new sets of tees will encourage both our new customers, and our loyal golfers, to choose the most suitable tee box for the most enjoyment of their game.
TEE IT FORWARD encourages players to play from a set of tees best suited to their average score. In addition to providing more enjoyment for golfers, teeing it forward can also be one of the most important steps that golfers take towards improving pace of play.
By playing from a set of tees that are more suitable to one’s game, many more golfers will hit approach shots with 6- and 7-irons instead of hybrids and long irons. Using a shorter club increases the chances of hitting greens and improves enjoyment. Playing from forward tees should also result in fewer overall shots, potentially fewer lost balls, and improved pace of play.
Forward sets of tees allow golfers with slower swing speeds to have the opportunity to reach greens in regulation and the opportunity to hit a variety of clubs on their approach shots. Fraserview now has five sets of tees and McCleery and Langara have four. Golfers should choose a set of tees that will help them hit more greens in regulation.
USGA Agronomist and TEE IT FORWARD program advocate, Larry Gilhuly, visited all three of our Championship Golf Courses in 2019 and provided a set of guidelines under the USGA's Tee
It Forward program. We have been taking action steps and working towards implementing his recommendations for the last two years. Tee box construction for a forward set of tees began in 2020.
In some cases the new tee boxes are located on a current tee box and in other cases new low-profile tee boxes have been constructed in the fairways. These teeing areas are built out of the same type of soil as the surrounding area and are low enough for easy maintenance.
A recent survey conducted by the USGA of TEE IT FORWARD participants found that:
- 56% played faster
- 56% are likely to play golf more often
- 83% hit more-lofted clubs into greens
- 85% had more fun
- 93% will TEE IT FORWARD again
Fraserview now has five sets of tees ranging from 4,198 yards to 6,692 yards:
Tee 5: 4,198 yds
Tee 4: 5,144 yds
Tee 3: 5,882 yds
Tee 2: 6,287 yds
Tee 1: 6,692 yds
McCleery now has four sets of tees ranging from 4,479 to 6,401 yards:
- Tee 4: 4,479 yds
- Tee 3: 5,063 yds
- Tee 2: 5,804 yds
- Tee 1: 6,401 yds
Langara now has four sets of tees ranging from 3,929 to 6,058 yards:
- Tee 4: 3,929 yds
- Tee 3: 4,648 yds
- Tee 2: 5,503 yds
- Tee 1: 6,058 yds
New scorecards have been designed that will help golfers select the most appropriate tee box to play from for the most fun. Tee box recommendations are based on a golfer's average score or handicap, for those golfers that keep one.
Signage has also been designed for each golf course listing the tee box suggestions based on both average score and handicap.
Please keep in mind that we are all doing our best to provide a safe environment in which you can enjoy your golf day.
Following the guidelines and the direction of our staff is important for the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved. This is important now, more than ever.
If you are experiencing flu like symptoms such as coughing, fever, or difficulty breathing, we ask that you STAY HOME. We reserve the right to refuse entry into our facilities to anyone displaying symptoms.
Physical distancing requirements of 2 metres are mandatory for everyone on the property. This includes before your round, in the clubhouse, at the driving ranges, and while on the golf course.
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