Courtesy of PGA of America
Jack Nicklaus has joined with PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson and 2010 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Paula Creamer once again to serve as a spokespersons for Tee It Forward, a joint PGA of America and USGA initiative encouraging golfers to have more fun by playing from tees that better align to their ability. Through this program, facilities are encouraged to provide golfers with more options off the tee, or recommend that golfers use existing forward tees to have a more enjoyable experience on the course.
“We want golfers to know that they can Tee It Forward anytime and anywhere,” Nicklaus said. “Average golfers who are inspired and motivated to play like their favorite Tour players should not look at where those plays tee from, but instead, the results of those tee shots. If golfers who often play too far back would move to a more forward tee, they are going to be left with shorter irons into greens, which enhances their ability to score better, and, in the end, makes the game more fun… and that’s what it’s all about.”
The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association promoted Tee It Forward for a specific time period in 2011, but the success of the program has warranted year-round implementation in 2012. More than 1,900 facilities registered in 2011 and nearly 237,000 golfers nationwide played from forward tees during the promotional period. A survey of more than 3,000 consumers who experienced the program showed that 70 percent found their round of golf more enjoyable. The survey also found nearly 50 percent of respondents saying the program helped them play faster. To learn more, visit www.usga.org/teeitforward/.
