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What Tees Should You Be Playing from on the Golf Course?
Published on
Are you struggling to reach the green in regulation? Are you hitting long irons or even woods into greens more often than not?
If so, PGA Coach Heidi Richardson says that you should consider the tee box you're playing from.
A common misconception is that the back tees are for the pros, the middle tees for the men, and the front tees for women. But Richardson says the reality is the back tees are for advanced players, the middle for intermediate and the front for beginners.
Moving up a tee box while you're working on improving your game will give you the opportunity to shoot lower scores and enjoy the game of golf more.
Richardson breaks down the process and shares a personal story about how the change has helped her — a former Division I golfer — get back to playing better golf.
Connecting with a PGA Coach like Richardson can help you improve your game. If you're looking to take golf lessons, PGA.com/coach is a great place to start. Search for a PGA Professional in your area and check out some of the other great tips along the way.
Member
PGA Golf Instructor
Encinitas, CA
PGA CLASS A6 INSTRUCTOR
THE ENCINITAS RANCH GOLF COURSE – ENCINITAS, CA.
A PGA Class A6 Golf Instructor and UCLA graduate, Heidi resides in Encinitas and has played golf since childhood. She has been a golf instructor for over 26 years and has been playing and working in the golf industry for over 40 years. She earned her PGA Class A Membership in 1995. She grew up in San Diego playing junior golf, was the only girl on the La Jolla High School Golf Team and continued her competitive career on the Women’s golf team at UCLA.
Heidi became a PGA Class A Member and Instructor under Tom Addis III at Singing Hills Golf Course(now Sycuan Resort) in 1995, then was a full time Instructor at Torrey Pines Golf Course from 1995-1998 and moved to Encinitas Ranch Golf Course in Encinitas, California upon it’s opening in 1998 until current!
She has extensive experience teaching all ages and all skill levels, from age 3 to 93! Heidi utilizes the latest technology and teaching methods and teaches at the private, ocean view instruction center at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course.
Heidi’s passion and love for golf guarantees that she gives 100% of her experience and enthusiasm to each of her clients. She shares her expertise and enthusiasm with each of her clients and helps build lifelong golfers and to grow the great game of Golf!
In addition to all adult instruction programs including private golf lessons, Couples Golf Schools and Clinics, YMCA Pee Wee and Adult programs, “Golf on the Go” Corporate Golf outings and more, Heidi is a Junior Golf Director and offers weekly introductory golf clinics, weekly junior golf schools, and Summer and Holiday vacations golf camps for juniors. Other specialized programs include her LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and the national PGA Junior League teams.
Heidi’s goal as a PGA Class A Golf Professional is to assist her clients in achieving their personal goals for their golf swing technique and performance. Heidi uses a variety of methods and services that include video swing analysis, physical fitness and flexibility training, balance and tempo training, basic swing mechanics training, short game and putting exercises and individualized lesson plans.
As a leader in golf instruction in San Diego and Southern California, Heidi serves on the boards of the San Diego Professional Golfers Association and the San Diego Junior Golf Association as well as a committee member for the Southern California PGA Youth Teaching Summit. She has received many awards including:
2011 Junior Golf Leadership Award, San Diego Chapter, PGA
2016 Youth Development Award, San Diego Chapter, PGA
2016 Youth Development Award, Southern California Section, PGA
2016 PGA Junior League Team Coach
2016 SDPGA Junior Golf Leadership
2016 SCPGA Section Youth Player Development
2017 San Diego PGA Player Development
2018 SCPGA Player Development
2021 SCPGA Section Youth Player Development
