Good afternoon Linda,
Thank you for your quick and thorough answer.
If I may, I have another question regarding the 9-hole course tee box.
On the ladies’ day we are about 4 or 5 foursomes. In order to accelerate the play our captain sends us to a designated hole to start the game [shotgun].
Generally, the ladies play the first nine holes from the red tee box, and then switch to the yellow tee box for the back nine on the second time around. When we play a shotgun, a foursome that starts on hole #8 will play from the red tee box for holes #8 and #9. When we arrive at the first hole, are we obliged to go on the yellow tee box for the back nine or continue on the red tee box until we complete our first nine holes? In other words, do we play #8 and #9 from the red tees, switch to the yellow tees for #10 through #18, and then play from the red tees for #1 through #7; or do we play the red tees for #8, #9, and #1 through #7, and then play from the yellow tees for #17, #18, and #10 through #16?
This question bothers me because in Québec I also play a nine-hole course.
Again thank you so much.
Regards,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
There is no rule that covers this situation. The Committee in charge of your league must decide which method would be simpler and less confusing for everyone, and then it needs to put that decision in writing so that everyone is clear on what procedure to follow.
Since this is a question asking for an opinion, I will give you mine. However, please remember that mine is only one opinion – there is no right or wrong answer.
My preference would be to play holes #1 through #9 from the same set of tees. In other words, if I were to start from the red tees on hole #8, then I would like to move to the yellow tees when I reach the first hole, play #10 through #18 from the yellow tees, and switch back to the red tees when I reach hole #1. Here are my reasons:
1. I think it’s easier to remember to switch to a new tee box when you reach the first hole.
2. Every golfer would be playing the same front and back nine, and the scorecard would be easier to review.
3. Should your competition use the USGA-recommended tie-breaking system that begins by comparing the total score for the back nine, then you would be comparing the same holes from the same tee boxes when you add the numbers. The same especially holds true if you are using any computer-aided scoring.
4. Your golfers might feel less disoriented or more comfortable knowing that when they make the turn and step up to hit on the first hole, they are now playing hole #10 on the back nine.
I imagine a case could also be made for playing nine consecutive holes from the same set of tees. Your Committee needs to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures and make the decision that is best for your course, your players, and your competitions.
Linda
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