“Where do I start?”

One thing about playing a round of golf, I always know where to start!  I guess that’s because it is ALWAYS marked.  And if the first tee isn’t marked, there is usually a Starter who is happy to point me in the right direction.

I enjoy seeing what golf courses use to mark their tee boxes. Routinely the tee markers are a reflection of the name of the course.

For instance:

• At the Disney course in Orlando, they use Micky Mouse Ears.
• In Katy, Kansas they use a Train since the course was once a train depot.
• For the tee boxes on a course in Blackfoot, Idaho, the markers were foot cut-outs.
• On Mackinaw Island, where no cars are allowed, the tee markers are horseshoes.
• At Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, Kansas you will see turkeys marking the tee boxes.

I have seen coconuts as tee box markers on the course in Key West, and diamonds for tee box markers at Diamondhead golf course in Arkansas.

And of course, I routinely see the standard wooden blocks on many tracks. Honestly, I am pretty impressed by the creativity of the course designers when it comes to designing a tee marker.

Knowing where to start is the most important thing about the game. The teeing area is where I start each hole and has a defined size and shape.

The rules say I can stand outside the teeing area as long as my ball is within the teeing area. Before I play, I am not allowed to move the tee markers. When playing from the teeing area, I can tee my ball or play it from the ground, use a borrowed or abandoned tee (even if it is broken), and re-tee my ball if it falls off the tee before I play it. (I know, I know….so many rules!)

There are even more rules that apply to the tee box – but I am pretty sure you get where I am going here – the starting point is CLEARLY MARKED! Not only are they marked by some sort of symbol or block, the tee boxes are also marked by colors.

Red Tees – The red tee mostly indicates the most forward tees on the hole. These tees are commonly played by women and many golfers refer to them as the “Ladies Tees”. But that isn’t necessarily the case – any seniors, and players who feel more comfortable taking their first shot from a closer distance to the hole use the Red Tees as their starting point….INCLUDING ME!

Yellow/Gold Tees – The Yellow or Gold tee box is mostly used by senior players (65 and older).

White Tees – The white tee box is usually where a majority of amateur golfers will play their round. These tees are referred to as the “middle” tees or sometimes the “Mens Tees”.

Blue Tees – At many golf courses the blue tee box will be either the second longest distance to the hole or occasionally the longest.

Black Tees – The black tee box is the longest position to tee off from at any golf hole. The black tees are often referred to as the “tips” and are used by professional golfers.

Having a starting point for golf is helpful when playing. And having a “Starter” at the 1st tee is icing on the cake as far as I am concerned. Seriously.

Since we find ourselves playing many courses for the very first time, having a Starter is wonderful. A great Starter is friendly and routinely has a little monologue ready to share regarding the course layout. The Starter informs me of any specific rules for the course and any temporary rules for that specific day. The Starter passes along little secrets of the track that will help me get through a round with a smile more times than not. Routinely the Starter sends me off with a “Good luck and enjoy your round”.

What’s not to like about a Starter?

(I am pretty sure all my lady golfing friends know what I am talking about – am I right?)

All this stuff about “where to start”, has me thinking about “where do I start” when it comes to my life outside of golf. I mean, come on – I don’t have a Starter that follows me everywhere I go and watches over my shoulder when I am doing something.

So……what about other starting points in my life?

Webster defines a “starting point” as a place or position where something starts. This can apply to anything. Many times I have found it overwhelming when moving to a starting point for something in my life. For instance:

• When I decide to bicycle in a century ride
• When selecting a new book to read
• Deciding to begin full-time travel in our RV

Each time I think about the “start” point for things in my life, I have to take a moment to ask myself: “What is my why?” Why do I want to do this? Why do I want to ride 100 miles on my bicycle?; Why do I want to read this book?; Why do I want to travel full-time in our RV?

I find that asking myself the why, then leads me to my starting point on whatever activity, goal, or dream I have. Which then makes it easier to create a plan to reach my goals, realize my dreams, or even design a better life.

Once the “Why” is answered, I then start. I “start” the training for the century ride. I “start” the new book. I “start” traveling full-time in our RV.

I guess you could say, by starting I mean I am taking a risk.

I don’t know if I will be successful and finish the 100 miles. I don’t know if the new book will be any good, or even if traveling full-time in our RV will find me contributing to something bigger than myself.

But one thing is for sure, I will take a risk and get started. Pushing myself and having the courage to get started with anything is more important than succeeding because the people who consistently get started are the only ones who end up finishing anything.

My Reads from the Reds: Get Started: Life Isn’t a Dress Rehearsal

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting!

Written By Kathy Festa