Do different tee markers on the same hole have different pars for that same hole?

Question

Do different tee markers on the same hole have different pars for that same hole?

Answer 1

PDGA Course Design Guidelines for each Player Skill Level

Element All Divisions

General

Principles

In Pro events, the Men's Open & Masters criteria should be the primary guidelines for design since they typically account for 3/4 of the field. At Am events, the Advanced Men criteria should be the primary design elements. For

many courses, it will not be necessary to have alternate course configurations for each division group indicated below except sometimes for the very oldest and youngest groups. However, a course with several holes:

(a) requiring significant power to throw across water or valleys, (b) long throws to forced doglegs or, (c) long throws through nasty terrain to reach a decent landing area, is a candidate for alternate tee or pin placements

appropriate for the division groups as shown below. If it appears you need to have at least one hole with a different setup, try and plan for at least 4-6 different holes for a lower division group, even some which may be longer if

the lengths are appropriate for that group. Different setups on just 1 or 2 holes might get missed by some groups. But 4 to 6 different holes will put divisions on alert to check that they are playing the right setup on each hole.

Par

Courses will typically have pars marked on tee signs ranging from 3 to 5. For sanctioned events, it’s necessary to indicate pars on the scorecard for all holes to provide for the proper penalty if a player is late. For tournament

play, holes from the Gold or Blue tees up to 550 feet will be mostly par 3 based on their difficulty. Some holes under 300 feet can have tournament pars marked as 2 on the scorecard if the TD/course pro desires based on the

course or hole's scoring average for Gold level players. Holes with effective lengths over 500 feet are candidates for par 4s and holes over 800 feet are candidates for par 5s. Some challenging holes in heavy woods could

have a par higher than 3 or 4 even if they aren’t as long as the reference lengths stated above. Not every length is good for all divisions. There are certain lengths that are better than others depending on the skill level intended

to play the hole. For example, holes where most players in a division/skill level would likely shoot the same score probably should be lengthened, shortened or toughened to provide a better challenge to spread their scores.

Signs

At minimum, the hole number and length(s) should be indicated either on a sign or painted on the tee pad, board or marking stone. On wooded courses and blind holes, it’s valuable to indicate the flight path(s). If the hole has

multiple pin placements, their locations should be indicated on the sign. If all placements are blind on a hole, recommend using a magnet, peg or pointer system to indicate on the sign where the pin is located that round. Make

sure there are appropriate signs at all tees being used. A week prior to tournament time, it can be helpful to paint arrows on the ground directing players to the next tee, especially on courses with temporary tees or routing for

an event with many out-of-town players expected. If possible, provide some form of fairway markers such as paint, ribbons or posts indicating distance from the basket possibly at the 100' and 200' positions.

Tee Pads

Ideally the tee pads should all be the same type (i.e. all natural grass/dirt or all hard surface). If permanent, make them at least 5’x12’ with some pads longer on long holes. Consider making tee pads even wider at the back.

Ratings Gold tees: Over 964 rating Blue tees: Over 924 rating White tees: Over 874 rating Red tees: Under 875 rating

Majors Am MA1 MM1, MJ1, MJ2 MA2, MM2, (MG1) All FW & FJ, MA3, MM3, MJ3-4

Majors Pro MPO & MPM FPO, MPG, MPS FPM FPG, FPS, FPL, MPL

Daily Am Advanced MM1, MA2, MJ1 & MJ2 All Females & other Males

Daily Pro Open (if tees available) Open, Master & Grandmaster Open Women & Sr GM Women over 39 & Legends

Effective

Length*

The effective lengths for reachable holes typically range

from 230 - 360 feet. Ideally several holes will be over 510

feet with a few over 830 feet. Courses are usually over

5700 feet for 18 holes. A Majors course layout should

ideally have a Scratch Scoring Average over 49.

The effective lengths for reachable holes typically range

from 185 - 310 feet. There should be several holes over

430 feet with a few over 700 feet. Courses will typically

be over 4800 feet for 18 holes.

The effective lengths for reachable holes range

from 150 - 270 feet. There should be several

holes over 360 feet, some which likely are par

4. The total course length will typically be under

6000 feet for 18 holes.

The effective lengths for reachable holes

typically range from 130 - 230 feet. There should

be some holes over 300 feet, which likely are

considered par 4. The total course length will

typically be under 5000 feet for 18 holes.

Approach

Throws

The lengths for open approach throws ranges from 150-

290 feet with a maximum of 320 feet from the desired

landing area. More constrained approaches range from

100-225 feet.

The lengths for open approach throws should range from

120-240 feet with a maximum of 275 feet from the

desired landing area. Relatively constrained approaches

range from 80-180 feet.

Approach throws should typically range from 90-

180 feet with a maximum of 225 feet from the

desired landing area. Relatively constrained

approaches range from 60-135 feet.

Approach throws should typically range from 70-

140 feet with a maximum of 185 feet from the

desired landing area. Relatively constrained

approaches range from 50-100 feet.

Water &

Doglegs

Players should ideally be given the option to throw around

water. However, if the terrain forces a throw across water,

the far side of the water should be no more than 250 feet

(effective length) from the tee/mark. A player should not

be forced to throw over 275 feet (effective length) from

the tee to the corner of a dogleg where a shorter throw

will not allow the player to reach the basket (or next

landing area) with a good next throw.

Players should ideally be given the option to throw around

water. However, if the terrain forces a throw across water,

the far side of the water should be no more than 225 feet

(effective length) from the tee/mark. A player should not

be forced to throw over 240 feet (effective length) from

the tee to the corner of a dogleg where a shorter throw

will not allow the player to reach the basket (or next

landing area) with a good next throw.

Design an alternate flight path where this route

does not cross water. A player should not be

forced to throw more than 200 feet (effective

length) from the tee to reach the corner on a

dogleg hole where a throw any shorter will not

allow the player to reach the basket (or next

landing area) with a good next throw.

Design an alternate flight path where this route

does not cross water. A player should not be

forced to throw more than 170 feet (effective

length) from the tee to reach the corner on a

dogleg hole where a throw any shorter will not

allow the player to reach the basket (or next

landing area) with a good next throw.

Answer 2

Sometimes for the ladies a long par 4 is a par 5.  So you may see a red tee just in front of you with a par of 5, while youre shooting at a four par.