NEWS

Golf facilities nationwide encouraged to 'TEE IT FORWARD'

By PGA of America
Published on

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- 'TEE IT FORWARD,' a new national initiative to help golfers have more fun on the course and enhance their overall experience by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities, kicks off, July 5, at participating golf facilities nationwide.

TEE IT FORWARD encourages all golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance. Golfers can have more fun and potentially speed up play by utilizing tees that provide the greatest playability and enjoyment.

Supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, TEE IT FORWARD was launched, in May, during the 72nd Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid.

"We are excited that TEE IT FORWARD has been enthusiastically received by both PGA Professionals and consumers," said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "The PGA would like to thank the USGA and Barney Adams, founder of Adams' Golf, for their efforts in helping generate the tremendous interest in TEE IT FORWARD."

Through TEE IT FORWARD, The PGA and USGA hope to influence the mindset of golfers in a positive way. By playing from appropriate tees, amateur golfers have the opportunity to play the course at the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. The playing field is leveled by giving golfers the chance to play from distances that are properly aligned with their abilities. This should result in fewer overall shots, shorter distance traveled on each hole, and potentially, fewer lost balls. To see a chart that provides guidelines for aligning a player's driving distance with total course length, please visit PlayGolfAmerica.com.

The PGA and USGA are providing more than 11,000 facilities around the country with information about TEE IT FORWARD they can use to promote the initiative to their golfers, including a poster featuring Jack Nicklaus, Paula Creamer and Dustin Johnson, and the suggested distance chart. Golfers can TEE IT FORWARD anytime, anywhere, and can find a list of officially registered facilities on PlayGolfAmerica.com.

Golfers, who TEE IT FORWARD, are asked to provide feedback about their experience on PlayGolfAmerica.com/TEEITFORWARD to help direct the future planning of the initiative. A sweepstakes will be conducted of all eligible persons who submit comments prior to July 17, 2011. One Grand Prize winner will receive a stay-and-play package for four at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort and one runner-up will receive two tickets to the 2012 U.S. Open Championship and a second runner-up will receive two tickets to the 2012 PGA Championship. See Official Sweepstakes rules at PlayGolfAmerica.com/TEEITFORWARD.

About the USGA

The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. It also conducts two state team championships and helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships. Each year, more than 35,000 players representing more than 80 countries submit entries to play in USGA championships. The USGA's Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. The USGA writes and administers the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, and, since 1920, has been a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game's history, and funds an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program. For more information about the USGA, visit usga.org.

About The PGA of America

Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.