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Golf club to set tees based on ability not gender

Rhys ThomasJersey
BBC A man with short grey hair smiles into the camera. He's on a tee box at a golf course, with the sea and beach in the background, and a castle in the distance. He's wearing a dark blue jacket, branded with the golf club's logo.BBC
The Royal Jersey Golf Club's general manager said it would benefit everybody

A golf club plans to change its tee structure to make the sport more competitive, inclusive and fun.

In a letter to members, the Royal Jersey Golf Club said the decision marked a move away from "outdated stereotypes".

Traditionally, red tees for women are further forward, with yellow and white tees further back for men.

But, from 1 April, all golfers will choose to play from silver, purple, gold or green tees, depending on their driving distance and average score.

The club has said it was following guidance from the world handicap system and its governing body, England Golf.

General manager Darren Atwood said: "I think it benefits everybody.

"Whether they're going to play competitive golf or social golf, they can play to the tees that suit their ability."

He explained it was good for younger players who were starting to hit the ball further, and for older golfers who did not hit it as far any more.

Atwood said the response from players had been mostly positive.

A wooden golf tee box marker, with a silver stripe down the middle sits on grass. On its right, an open-top wooden box contains a metal sheet with several holes.
The new tee colours will be silver, purple, gold, and green

Anabelle Lucas-Villar, 19, said it was "exciting", especially because she played in competitions in the UK.

"A lot of the courses I play away go up to about 6,200 yards (5,670m). By comparison to here, off the current red tees, it's quite a difference," she said.

Royal Jersey's distance across 18 holes from the red tees is 5,428 yards (4,963m).

"Being able to play off the further back tees here will make a difference because it will make it more realistic to the competitions away," added Lucas-Villar.

Anabelle Lucas-Villar, a young woman with light brown hair, smiles into the camera. A white golf cap shadows her eyes. She's also wearing a black gilet over a dark blue sports jumper. Behind her is a golf course, with a green mound and old fortifications.
Member Anabelle Lucas-Villar said the change was "exciting"

Member Mike McGihon said: "I think its great to give people more options. It balances it up a little bit, and lets people enjoy golf a little bit more."

His playing partner Ian McInerney agreed: "Hopefully, we tee off better with it."

The club's juniors organiser, Derek De La Haye, said: "It's hopefully going to get more people enjoying it more often.

"If you stand on one of the tees at the back and you don't get onto the fairway as perhaps an older person or as a junior, that is daunting.

"All of a sudden your scores are going to go up very quickly. That's quite frustrating."

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