Course owners see growing demand for shorter tee choices

More than 70 percent of course owners say golfers need additional forward options. The association’s 2026 survey also found that 32 percent viewed shorter alternatives as highly important, compared with 22 percent the previous year. Interest in adding length was far lower: 11 percent gave longer layouts the same priority, unchanged since 2025.

Creating a full teeing area for every new distance can be costly or physically impractical, particularly on older layouts. Mixed combinations offer another route. Players use one color on some holes and a different color elsewhere, producing an extra total yardage without construction across the entire course. Jay Karen, who leads the National Golf Course Owners Association, said forward positions should receive the same care as other tees instead of appearing temporary or misplaced.

Courses also face a second challenge: helping players select the right option. Forty-two percent of owners placed high importance on better tee selection in 2026, versus 38 percent in 2025. Karen said total distance alone can be misleading because carries, greens and design affect difficulty. He favors using club performance, including 7-iron distance, as a starting point. At demanding venues, staff guidance could also steer a golfer considering 6,700 yards toward 6,200 yards when that setup better suits the player.