Competing from Different Tees
2013 Indian Valley’s Policy
IVCC LOCAL RULE (Decision 3-5): The 2013 Golf Committee decided to adjust the
handicaps of the players competing from the WHITE TEES (Men) or YELLOW TEES
(Women) instead of adding strokes to the majority of players competing from the more
difficult course (BLUE TEES or RED TEES).
ELIGIBLE TO PLAY THE WHITE TEES IN COMPETITION – A player wishing to play
the WHITE TEES in competition, must have 80% of their last 20 scores posted from the WHITE
TEES (16 scores). The combo tees will not be an option for players to compete from in 2013.
The USGA Handicap System allows players to use separate tees, yet still compete on an equitable
basis. Normally, two players will have different Course Handicaps, so one player receives strokes
from the other in a match. But what happens if each golfer plays from different tees? The golfer
playing from the easier set of tees (normally White or Yellow), will have their handicap
adjusted. For example; Mr. Smith who carries a 5.6 handicap index and Mr. Jones who is a 18.9
wants to have match from two different tees (at Indian Valley).
Mr. Smith wants to play from the Blue Tees and Mr. Jones from the White Tees.
1. First, look up your Handicap Index on the Course Handicap Table to find your Course
Handicap for the set of tees you play that day and compare it to your opponent's total for his
or her tees.
2. Second, compare your Course Rating for the set of tees you play with that of your opponent
for the set of tees he or she plays; the golfer playing from the set of tees with a lower Course
Rating loses the number of strokes equaling the difference between the two Course Ratings.
Blue Tees Rating - 72
White Tees Rating - 69.5
Difference = 2.5 (or 3 stokes)
Mr. Smith will have three strokes added to his handicap.
Mr. Smith's Blue Tee Course Handicap – 6 (5.6 index)
Mr. Jones's White Tee Course Handicap – 20 (18.9 index)
Strokes Given = 14
Strokes Given (Mr. Smith is playing the more difficult course) = 11