Tee Alignment Problems Cancel The title field is required!

1. Cooper Hayes

   

   0 posts
   
   8/1/2012 5:08 PM

   We are struggling like I have never seen before to train our crew to properly align tee markers and tee sets with the landing zones in fairways on par four's and five's and the center of greens on par three's. On any given day I may stop and double check 6-9 tees for correct alignment but do not have time to check every single tee set. Currently we require our crew to use tee squares that are 32" wide by 16" long. The first 4 tees on both the front and back must be set in the dark due to split tee times off #1 and #10. What training techniques or practical techniques do you use at your property for your crew to align the tee markers themselves and also the tee sets correctly? This is becoming a serious problem for us that must be solved by the time season rolls around in November. Management has made this a priority for us.
   
   Thank you for your input,
   
   Coop

   
   
   
   
2. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   8/1/2012 6:08 PM

   This has always been a problem, on every course I have been on and some people can't do it and that is flat true. Find the ones that can and then until others can prove they can they can't do that easy job. I have one man that cuts cups and does markers 5 days a week and then when he is off I do rotate others that want to try and I watch every tee on those days. Also it is like cups getting the pole straight so few can do it without carrying a level. I have never had a problem with tees and poles but so many do.
   We do not use a PVC pipe T ever for tee set. Just use the arms to the side close the eyes and bring arms to the center, open the eyes to see center. For me it works 99.997% of the time right on.
   
   
   Keith Pegg
   zama Japan

   
   
   
   
3. Wallace Jeffrey V

   
   8/1/2012 11:08 PM

   Keith Pegg said: Just use the arms to the side close the eyes and bring arms to the center, open the eyes to see center. For me it works 99.997% of the time right on.
   
   Keith Pegg
   zama Japan

   
   
   This could not be more spot on! I have taught this method for years. If you try it with your eyes open, your mind "wants" your hands to be pointing to the landing area, or the center of the green. It truly is amazing to see how straight you are with your eyes closed as your hands come together. Try it. I'll bet you'll find what you think are true markers, are actually pointing as much as 30 degrees off. Once your staff gets used to it, and it will take several attempts at each tee every day, pretty soon it will be one, or zero attempts to get it right. Their brains will learn. Cool, huh?
   
   Now all you have to do is teach them not to put pure gas in a two-cycle engine's tank. Good luck with that!

   
   
   
   
4. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   8/2/2012 6:08 AM

   The tees you are setting in the dark can be rechecked by the crewman/woman after it gets light. On weekends my crew does either this or skips that part of the duties until first light when they will return and check them or set them. I have one crew member that will go around in the dark and just empty the garbage cans until it gets light enough to see.

   
   
   
   
5. Border Ricky H

   
   8/2/2012 6:08 AM

   We do the "Tee Dance" as well arms to the side pointing at tee markers then bring up palms together pointing at landing zone adjust one side forward or back till you point exactly where you want. Then the staff needs to be able to determine or in some cases be taught the landing area for each par 4 or 5. Eventually they do not need to do the "Tee Dance" they just get it right. It works for us too.
   
   Rick Border
   GCS Palmer Course
   Oglebay Resort
   Wheeling, WV

   
   
   
   
6. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   8/4/2012 4:08 AM

   As stated by all the guys above it is the keep it simple methodolgy that works best all the time! But of course one must be able to see what they are doing! I have delt with your issues before in the past when working on public golf facilities where players are waiting in line at the first tee well before one can even see wanting to tee off ASAP! It boggles the mind that they expect to play golf, never giving you, or the staff a single moment to prepare the course for play! I have delt with mowing grass with lights on mowers, changing cups with headlights of cart on green, ect! It is not fun or in best interest of good golf course maintenance. Do the best you can and go back when light allows adjustment. Those who must go off first and play just as soon as they can see a little bit, get what they want! It isnt a great golfing experience, it is just tee off quick play fast and get to work or go home early cause they get to hot later in morning or day! It is just fact of life and those public golfers who must tee off at 5:30-6:30am!
   
   Gregg

   
   
   
   
7. Wahlin Scott B

   
   8/4/2012 9:08 AM

   What difference does it make? I don't care if the tee markers are set at a right angle to the target area, pick a spot within two club lengths behind the markers and hit it any direction you want. I need to retire!

   
   
   
   
8. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   8/6/2012 2:08 PM

   It amazes me how few set-up men have been trained properly on setting tees and cups. There is hardly a course I play that there are not tee locations with less than a two club length area of mowed tee behind the marker.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
9. Wahlin Scott B

   
   8/6/2012 7:08 PM

   When I started out it was an honor to do course set-up. The best guys got that job and they were the last ones to check out the hole before the golfers got there. Having said that though, the set-up guys got tips, freebies and special consideration from the pro shop.

   
   
   
   
10. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    8/7/2012 3:08 PM

    When I first got started cup changing, and course set up went to the newbies, as I became a superintendent, I would assign course set-up to newbies. After a few years and learning from different people and issues, now course set up is done by the most experienced including myself (I still can't believe I get a crooked flagstick every now and then, no way I use 8' poles either).
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO