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yards per teeing area. The math and
positioning is relatively simple to
implement on a flat property, but
we often need to make physical
adjustments to fit the system to
existing courses like Longleaf.
Longleaf had a typical four-tee
spread and we wanted to use those
tees as efficiently as possible. Keeping
those fixed locations as a base
point, we added new tees to satisfy
our general goals of 3,200, 3,800,
4,400, 5,000, 5,600, 6,200 and 6,800
yards. Using a purely mathematical
approach often leads to some tees
being placed in undesirable positions,
so my role was to balance out our
goals while fitting the necessary tee
additions to the course and the land.
Factors to consider when choosing
a tee location include the position
of bunkers, water hazards, doglegs
and cart paths. In addition, the
topography of the land can make
a huge difference in the amount of
disturbed area and dirt we need when
adding a tee to a course. Operating
efficiently allowed us to implement
the system at a low to moderate cost.
Has the system delivered the desired
results for Longleaf?
We are delighted with the results.
However, Longleaf provides an
interesting case study for several
reasons. The course was in poor
physical and financial condition
when the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation
bought it, but we’re in the middle of
a multi-phase renovation. First, we
redeveloped the practice area and
added the U.S. Kids Golf Academy,
and then we implemented 95% of
the Longleaf Tee System. In 2016,
we created Bottlebrush, a six-hole
short course featuring holes ranging
from 50-to-100 yards and this year,
we’re resurfacing all greens with a
MiniVerde bermudagrass.
What we do know is that we’re
getting great usage on our forward
tees—the most popular are those at
4,400, 5,000 and 5,600 yards—and
players want to take our scorecards
home to see if they can play from
our yardages at other courses. Plus,
rounds have increased and the club is
gaining momentum.
Did you start the project intending
to create a template that could be
applied to other courses?
The Longleaf Tee System is good for
the game and will benefit most golf
clubs, but I don’t think they should
all use exactly the same set-up. Rather
than a template, we’ve created a
model that each golf club can tailor
to fit their course and membership.
The beauty of this system is that it is
based on objective data, so we have
a recommended length course based
on how far players carry a driver. If
golfers follow that guide, they will
have more fun, shoot lower scores
and play faster with less fatigue.
This system is designed to eliminate
irrelevant golf shots—if every shot
matters, then the game is much more
interesting and enjoyable.
Are other clients now wanting
similar work done at their clubs?
I am currently working with several
clubs. Typically, we start by adding a
set of tees in the 4,400-to-4,500-yard
range, and once this is in place, we
focus on the existing tees and adding
tees very close to, or in, the fairway.
•
We’ve
created
a model
that each
golf club can
tailor
to fit
their course
and membership