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I was visiting my inlaws in southern Wisconsin this weekend. My father inlaw and I wound went to Madison and played Hiestand Park and Elver Park.
I noticed that almost everyone playing those two courses were playing from the short tees (I play from the long tees when they are available).
Is this just happening in Madison or is this common at most of the courses that anyone else plays?
For me it depends on the course. If the shorts are really technical, I'll go that route. If they are pitch and putts, I'll go long...... But, I prefer to stretch my throws, so consistently, I throw from the lomg placements when they are available
Having recently moved to Pittsburgh, I really enjoy the system in place pretty consistently around all the courses in the area (Schenley, Knob Hill, Deer Lakes, Moraine, and Seven Springs). That system is pretty similar to ball golf, and lends a very professional feel to the courses here. I haven't played too much of the country, but it sounds from this thread that Pittsburgh's system is fairly uncommon. Here's what I mean:
For baskets, there are three pin positions for each basket that are all relatively close so as not to affect par (except a couple holes at older courses) but far enough apart to make holes significantly different. This is similar to the concept of a green with different pin positions in ball golf.
For tees, then, there are three or four tees per hole corresponding to PDGA ratings standards. Gold tees are 1000, blues are 950, whites are 900, and reds are 850 (I believe). MA1 players like me, for example, can play from either the blue tees or the white tees and have a course tailored to challenge us slightly above or slightly below our skill level. Also, at a more difficult course like Moraine, the short tees are white...so beginners who would never play from reds in ball golf can play from the whites (the "short" tees) without shame.
I'd encourage any course designers to consider this system, as it really appeals to the standards/metrics side of me and helps guide you for what difficulty to expect from each tee. Plus, the three pin positions can be rotated frequently to add variety without changing the par for each hole.
I played Oregon park last week