Up to Par - Fishing Article - Summer 2008 - Los Cabos Magazine

UP TO PAR. Which Tees Are You Playing?

Fishing Article
Los Cabos Magazine - Issue #17 - Summer 2008 - Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, Mexico

Golfers are as varied as the courses they play. And golf is one of the very few sports in which the playing fields are adapted for just that reason. A range of tee boxes accommodates different levels of golfers, from professional players to beginners. Swing from the tees that are best suited for your game and your rounds will be more rewarding, and surely less frustrating. On an unfamiliar course, the course length information can act as a guide for your choice of tees to use.

The game of golf is believed to have begun in Scotland around the year 1457, and the game with the familiar rules we use today, sometime in 1754. Perhaps you have heard that GOLF is the acronym for ”Gentlemen Only; Ladies Forbidden.” That is surely not the case. That, in fact, is just an old wives’ tale, undoubtedly twisted by some guy. Women did play golf from its inception, but it was not until the late 19th century when separate tee boxes were put on the course for them. Prior to that time, there was only one tee box on each hole, and everyone played from that same box. However, both James Braid and Old Tom Morris, major course designers of the time, placed tee boxes for women in front of the men’s box, almost as an afterthought. The idea soon caught on because it made the game more enjoyable for others as well. The beginner could play without holding everyone else back, and it allowed the intermediate and champion players to play a length of course that would give them a challenge. It was not long before multiple tee boxes became the norm, and that development may be one of the major reasons the sport has become as popular as it is: Everyone has a chance.

When you first arrive at an unfamiliar golf course, it can be difficult to decide which tee box is most accommodating for your game. Most private courses have three different tee boxes. The one closest to the hole is considered to be the beginner’s, women’s, or senior tee box; the middle tee is placed to be used by the average male player with a middle of the road handicap, or by a woman with a low handicap; and the tee farthest back is to be used by professional players or those with handicaps in the single digits. At resort courses, such as those here in Los Cabos, golfers of many different levels of expertise play all the time.

Due to the broad variance of playing skills, on many courses there are often five tee boxes available. The back tee box is usually denoted by black markers and is considered a professional distance box. PGA (Professional Golf Association) professionals play from these, and distances are normally 7,100 to 7,400 yards around the course. The LGPA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) usually compete at a course distance of between 6,100 and 6,400 yards, or from the blue tee box on our courses. The forward box is denoted by red markers and averages 5,000 yards in length. The other boxes in play on most resort courses are marked by either gold, blue or white markers These lengths are normally 300-400 yards shorter in total course length, averaging 15-20 yards per hole shorter than the one behind them. For example, if you were playing the Cabo San Lucas Country Club, the distance from the blacks would be 7,220 yards, the next box at 6,862, the next at 6,603, the next at 6,135 and the red at 5,302. In golf, every course is different, another quirk of the game, making it one of the few sports in the world in this regard. In comparison to the LCCC course, the Palmilla Mountain/Arroyo (one of my favorites) has as its distances marked as 6,939, 6,572, 6,130, 5,673 and 4,858, respectively. If you play the game with regularity, you can probably assess more easily which tee will be best played for your round. Try to match your normal play distance for an enjoyable game on an unfamiliar course.

More experienced players will opt for bringing their own sticks when they travel for vacation. However, with the plethora of exceptional courses in our resort area, excellent rental clubs are available for the golfers who prefer to leave theirs at home, or for folks who want to have a crack at a round while here. Both men’s and women’s sets, as well as those for left-handers, can be found at just about every course in Los Cabos. In addition to course length, another accommodation afforded women’s play is using clubs that are usually an inch shorter and slightly more flexible in the shaft. Women’s clubs also have a slightly higher loft on the clubface. This is due to the common perception that women have less power in their swing, thus achieving fewer yardages on the fairways. Watch some of the LPGA champs and tell me women lack power!

The amateur handicap system, as we know it today, was developed and defined in 1912. If you are a low handicap player, by all means try the black tees! If you are a new player, or have a high handicap, it makes sense to use one of the three forward tee boxes. It is especially important to decide which tee box is appropriate for your game if you are playing in a mixed group. One of the most frustrating things, in an already frustrating game, is trying to play from a box that is too far from the hole for your game. That results in too many lost balls and can really hurt your ego. (Believe me, I know about this one!) If everyone in your foursome is playing from the same tee box and your shots are consistently 35-40 yards behind the others in your group, move up to the next box! A pretty good rule-of-thumb is that if you cannot reach the green on a par three in one shot, or the green on a par four in two shots, move up. Now I didn’t say hit the greens, I said reach them. After all, accuracy is all up to you! On tony resort courses, like on others, you are expected to play at a certain pace, so if you are slowing other groups down by trying to play at a level beyond your ability, the course marshal will instruct you to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole, or step aside and let the group behind you play through so that rounds will not be delayed for other groups.

Playing from the correct tee box makes the game more enjoyable for everyone. Instead of slowing your group down or holding up others on the course, you can be having a better paced game, and time to take in the amazing scenic views on every course we have. The tee boxes on our world-class courses are designed for every level of expertise, one to surely best suit your game. Choose the right one for your level of play, and you will feel better when you get to the clubhouse and start reliving those great shots that will keep you coming back for more. Go out and have a great time with your friends, and remember: It’s just a game.

Your Complete Golf Guide

Club Campestre San José
Pro shop - (624) 173-6500
US - 1-877-795-8727
Km 119, Libramiento Aeropuerto
San José del Cabo
www.questro.com.mx
Jack Nicklaus design
Black tee: Front nine 3306 yds; back nine 3749 yds. Total yards: 7055
Gold tee: Front nine 3,110 yds; back nine 3,522 yds, Total yards: 6,632
Blue tee: Front nine 2,882 yds; back nine 3,286 yds, Total yards: 6,168
White tee: Front nine 2,645 yds; back nine 3,027 yds. Total yards: 5,672
Red Tee: Front nine 2,228 yds; back nine 2,729. Total yards: 4,957
Par 71

Cabo San Lucas Country Club
Pro shop - (624) 143-4653/54/55
US - 1-888-328-8501
Km. 3, Transpeninsular Hwy., Tourist Corridor
Cabo San Lucas
www.golfincabo.com
Dye Corporation design
Black tee: Front nine 3,651 yds; back nine 3,569 yds. Total yds: 7,220
Silver tee: Front nine 3,478 yds; back nine 3,384 yds. Total yds: 6,862
White tee: Front nine 3,333 yds; back nine 3,270 yds. Total yds: 6,603
Gold tee: Front nine 3,130 yds; back nine 3,005 yds. Total yds: 6,135
Red tee: Front nine 2,668 yds; back nine 2,634 yds. Total yds: 5,302
Par 72

Cabo Real Golf Club
Pro shop – (624) 144-0040
US –1-877-795-8727
Km 19.5, Transpeninsular Hwy. Tourist Corridor
San José del Cabo
www.caboreal.com
Robert Trent Jones II design
(Course lengths are designated as “average yardage” by the Cabo Real Golf Club officials.)
Black tee: Front nine 3,512 yds;
back nine 3,512 yds. Total yds: 7,037
Gold tee: Front nine 3,325 yds;
back nine 3,325 yds. Total yds: 6,705
Blue tee: Front nine 3,118 yds;
back nine 3,118 yds. Total yds: 6,354
White tee: Front nine 2,885 yds;
back nine 2,885 yds. Total yds: 5,920
Red tee: Front nine 2,486 yds;
back nine 2,486 yds. Total yds: 5,068
Par 72

Cabo Del Sol
Reservations (624) 145-6360
US- 1-866-231-4677
Km 10.3, Transpeninsular Hwy. Tourist Corridor
Cabo San Lucas
www.cabodelsol.com
Ocean Course:
Jack Nicklaus Signature design; Par 72
Desert Course:
Tom Weiskoph design; Par 72
(Course lengths are designated as “average yardage” by the Cabo del Sol officials.)
Ocean Black tee: Front nine 3,608 yds; back nine 3,467 yds.
Total yds: 7,075
Ocean Gold tee: Front nine 3,492 yds; back nine 3,303 yds.
Total yds: 6,795
Ocean Blue tee: Front nine 3,287 yds; back nine 3,017 yds. Total yds: 6,304
Ocean White tee: Front nine 2,955 yds; back nine 5,773 yds.
Total yds: 5,773
Ocean Red tee: Front nine 2,555 yds; back nine 2,158 yds. Total yds: 4,713
Desert Black tee: Front nine 3,340 yds; back nine 3,709 yds.
Total yds: 7,049
Desert Gold tee: Front nine 3,130 yds; back nine 3,550 yds.
Total yds: 6,680
Desert Blue tee: Front nine 2,905 yds; back nine 3,237 yds. Total yds: 6,142
Desert White tee: Front nine 2,521 yds; back nine 2,973 yds.
Total yds: 5,494
Desert Red tee: Front nine 2,216 yds; back nine 2,703 yds. Total yds: 4,919

Palmilla Golf Club
Reservations (624) 144-5245
US - 1-800-637-2226
Km. 27, Transpeninsular Hwy., Tourist Corridor
San José Del Cabo
www.troongolf.com
Jack Nicklaus design
Arroyo/Mountain Course; Par 72
Black tee: 3,337 yds on Arroyo; 3,602 yds on Mountain. Total yds: 6,939
Gold tee: 3,134 yds on Arroyo; 3,438 yds on Mountain. Total yds: 6,582
Blue tee: 2,918 yds on Arroyo; 3,212 yds on Mountain. Total yds: 6,130
White tee: 2,703 yds on Arroyo; 2,970 yds on Mountain.
Total yds: 5,673
Red tee: 2,334 yds on Arroyo; 2,525 yds Mountain. Total yds: 4,859
Mountain/Ocean Course: Par 72
Black tee: 3,602 yds on Mountain; 3,434 yds on Ocean. Total yds; 7,036
Gold tee: 3,438 yds on Mountain; 3,227 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 6,665
Blue tee: 3,212 yds on Mountain; 2,960 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 6,172
White tee: 2,970 yds on Mountain; 2,739 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 5,709
Red tee: 2,525 yds on Mountain; 2,382 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 4,907
Arroyo/Ocean Course: Par 72
Black tee: 3,337 yds on Arroyo; 3,434 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 6,771
Gold tee: 3,134 yds on Arroyo; 3,227 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 6,361
Blue tee: 2,918 yds on Arroyo; 2,960 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 5,878
White tee: 2,703 yds on Arroyo; 2,739 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 5,442
Red tee: 2,334 yds on Arroyo; 2,382 yds on Ocean. Total yds: 4,716

Querencia Golf Club (Private)
Club House – (624) 145-6600
US - 1-888-236-2229
Km. 28, Transpeninsular Hwy. Tourist Corridor
San José Del Cabo
www.loscabosquerencia.com
Tom Fazio design
Black tee: Front nine 3,564 yds;
back nine 3,486 yds. Total yds: 7,050
Gold tee: Front nine 3,336 yds;
back nine 3,253 yds. Total yds: 6,589
Blue tee: Front nine 3,112 yds;
back nine 3,068 yds. Total yds: 6,180
White tee: Front nine 2,876 yds;
back nine 2,922 yds. Total yds: 5,798
Red tee: Front nine 2,499 yds;
back nine 2,593 yds. Total yds: 5,092
Par 72

El Dorado Golf and Beach Club (Private)
Club House – (624) 144-5451
US - 1-877-795-8727
Km. 21, Transpeninsular Hwy., Tourist Corridor
www.eldoradogolfandbeachclub.com
San José Del Cabo
Jack Nicklaus design
Black tee: Front nine 3,599 yds;
back nine 3,723 yds. Total yds: 7,322
Gold tee: Front nine 3,419 yds;
back nine 3,507 yds. Total yds: 6,926
Blue tee: Front nine 3,162 yds;
back nine 3,314 yds. Total yds: 6,476
White tee: Front nine 2,629 yds;
back nine 2,871 yds. Total yds: 5,500

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club (Semi-Private)
Reservations – (624) 173-9400 ext. #1
US - 1-877-795-8727
Paseo de los Pescadores [move to here] Pueblo la Playa
www.questro.com.mx
Jack Nicklaus design
Greg Norman design
At submission time the front nine on the Nicklaus course was open for play, by publication time there will be 18 holes available. The course has just been measured via GPS and tee boxes are not confirmed yet. Lasered measurements for the front nine are as follows (approximations only):
Black tee: 3,897 yds.
Gold tee: 3,623 yds.
Blue tee: 3,446 yds.
White tee: 3,106 yds.
Red tee: 2,854 yds.

Mayan Resorts Golf Los Cabos
Reservations – (624) 142-0905
Km. 30.5, Transpeninsula Hwy.
San José del Cabo
www.mayanresortsgolf.com
Bickler/Schjetnan design
Nine Holes
Champion tee: 3,141 yds.
Forward tee: 2,900 yds.

By George Landrum

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - July 3, 2008 - FAP