The PGA of America and United States Golf Association are asking amateur golfers to put their egos aside the next couple of weeks.
The two golf organizations are co-sponsoring an initiative to help golfers shoot better scores, play faster and lose fewer balls during the “Tee It Forward” campaign that runs July 5-17 at golf courses in the Chattanooga area and throughout the country.
The initiative is to align course distance with the average drive of a golfer, because an amateur playing a 6,700-yard course is the equivalent of Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson playing an 8,100-yard course.
“If the average golfer comes out here and plays from the blue tees, it’s going to be a difficult day for them,” said Bear Trace at Harrison Bay head pro Robin Boyer. “We recommend the whites because it’s shorter, it’s going to be a better experience.
“But guys are macho and want to play as far back as they can, especially if the other guys in the group want to play way back.”