Setting up a golf course for play is more complicated than one would think.  Each day a decision should be made on where to place the pins and the tee box to make the most of any course.  The local pro or grounds keeper should relieve the pressure from the person responsible for moving the pins and tee box and set up the course in advance.  Properly setting up a course will ensure that it fair and enjoyable to play by the average golfer.

A bush 4 feet high directly in the line of the tee markers!

The above image is a perfect example of what not to do.  The tee markers are 8 yards apart with 5 yards set up directly behind a 4-foot bush.  This set up was during a tournament recently run at a local course.  Needless to say, it was frustrating and silly all at the same time.

The R&A has strong guidance on how to make the pin placements and the location of the tee boxes.  “Tee-markers should be placed about six to seven yards apart. If the width of the teeing ground is greater, players are more likely to inadvertently tee up in front of the tee-markers. The front line of the teeing ground should be set up at right angles to the centre of the drive zone.”  “There should be a balanced selection of hole positions for the entire course with respect to left, right, central, front and back positions. For example, beware too many positions on one side or the other of the green with a resulting premium on drawn or faded shots.”

All too often, the tee markers are moved to where there is the most grass.  Moving to where no one has played is a requirement caused by not moving the tee markers for two or more days.  Compounding the problem is par threes because most players take divots during these shorter shots.  Eventually, setting up the tee markers poorly will ruin a tee box.

Additionally, the pins have a tendency to be placed in awkward locations that require a skill level far beyond the weekend looper.  Some may think that having the pin placed on the side of a slope is to test the skill of players, but actually this action just frustrates everyone on the links.  Generally, someone told to move the pins makes this crucial set-up decision.  This is not to suggest the maintenance worker cannot set up the green, but some fore-thought is required to ensure that the course is still fun with a mix of challenge for the average player.

Another aspect of properly moving the pins and tee makers is to ensure the traffic of walkers, carts and maintenance vehicles is balanced over the course.  Having the same traffic tread over the same patch of grass for several days will cause serious damage and degrade the quality of the course.  It is frustrating for any golfer to make a fantastic shot and then quickly realize they are on hard-pan for no reason other than the set-up of the course has not changed is three days.

Ultimately, setting up a course is challenging.  It is a critical task not taken lightly. Most weekend golfers do not need to be challenged on every shot; properly setting up a course will ensure that it is fair and enjoyable can be played by the average golfer.  If you are running a tournament, take the time to talk to your local pro for advice.  If you explain your overall goal; fun, challenge or a mixture of both; there is a very good chance they will meet your expectations.  Then everyone is a winner.

Golf is a fantastic sport.  Millions of people play everyday.  Properly setting up the course will only multiply their fun and willingness to come back!

I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!