The most important part of TEE SIGNS

[discoholic]

I am designing tee signs for the first time. I'm wondering what you think are the most important parts of a tee sign. I was going to ask specific questions, but I don't want to lead your answers. So maybe just list the top things you want out of a tee sign. And maybe say why it's important if it's not obvious.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jmorri67]

ACCURATE BASKET LOCATIONS. Nothing is more annoying than seeing a basket on a blind hole's teesign, throwing in that direction, and finding out the basket is 100 feet away. Also, even if the distance isn't perfect, at least within 20 feet is nice for disc selection purposes.

 

[DiscNutt123]

Accurate distances and accurate basket locations.

 

[discoholic]

ACCURATE BASKET LOCATIONS. Nothing is more annoying than seeing a basket on a blind hole's teesign, throwing in that direction, and finding out the basket is 100 feet away. Also, even if the distance isn't perfect, at least within 20 feet is nice for disc selection purposes.

Thanx. I've got both location and distance down (google earth and gps are awesome tools. And I play the course a lot)

 

[discoholic]

Ok. I thought that distance and basket placement is what most people are looking for.

What about how well placed the trees are?

Or next tee location?

What if they were huge and red so you can see the tee from a distance...

Any abstract ideas?

If they are pretty, does it add to the course rating?

 

[Mocheez]

Accuracy is obviously the most important thing.

If there are multiple pin locations and multiple teepads, each should be marked along with the distances from each teepad to each pin.

If there are multiple pin locations, the ability to indicate where the basket is currently located is a bonus. On wooden boards, I have seen thumb tacs used. Bolts could be used on metal signs, magnets would work but would likely be taken or moved by unruly hooligans.

The location of the next teepad is another nice feature for navigation purposes.

 

[MarkDSM]

Heavy duty. Pole set well into the ground and very sturdy sign. Assume that two bags will be hanging on the sign and the pole will take karate kicks often.

Also....

Nothing is more annoying than seeing a basket on
a blind hole's teesign, throwing in that direction, and finding out the basket is 100 feet away.

No, jackasses that throw on blind holes without walking down to see if they are clear is much more annoying.

 

[Mocheez]

I don't think "pretty" signs will add to the rating. But missing or inaccurate signs will likely take away from the rating.

 

[discoholic]

If there are multiple pin locations, the ability to indicate where the basket is currently located is a bonus. On wooden boards, I have seen thumb tacs used. Bolts could be used on metal signs, magnets would work but would likely be taken or moved by unruly hooligans.

The location of the next teepad is another nice feature for navigation purposes.

I thought about magnets too. I was thinking I could laminate a magnet into the sign, and use a "frame" magnet around the current pin position.

Also thought about next tee arrow, but do people really remember that arrow. I guess if you are lost you could walk back and look at it

 

[discoholic]

Heavy duty. Pole set well into the ground and very sturdy sign. Assume that two bags will be hanging on the sign and the pole will take karate kicks often.

We already have good posts set in concrete. Just need signs

 

[MikePinchico]

The number of the hole on the tee sign I would think is the most important.

 

[discoholic]

Does anybody know if advertising on tee signs brings in money? Our club has a lot going on now (3 new courses, not including this one). We are going to need money for pads soon, after the city lets us off probation.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

I say keep it simple, effective, less expensive and relatively vandal resistant:
1) Hole #
2) Distance
3) Line showing suggested fairway / basket location relative to tee.
4) Color coding for mutiple tees.


All the above can be done on a 4x4 post pretty easily. Router the numbers and line, paint the post black, the hole # green, distance & line yellow - looks great. Black 4x4 is pretty tough to vandalize (unrewarding to sharpie and doesn't show much if done). Also easier to update/replace if course changes over time.

Seems to me that the nicer the signs are, the bigger an invitaion they are to idiots/vandals.
But if you do decide to go with actual signs, why not use the additional space for something that's interesting (if not very useful): "Net Elevation Change from Tee to Pin: -15 ft."


Pix of trees on the fairway are useless. My first time on any course, if I can't see the pin from the tee, I'm walking the fairway untill I spot it, regardless of what the tee sign shows - signs can't show you the window you need to hit.

 

[discoholic]

I say keep it simple, effective, less expensive and relatively vandal resistant:
1) Hole #
2) Distance
3) Line showing suggested fairway / basket location relative to tee.
4) Color coding for mutiple tees.


All the above can be done on a 4x4 post pretty easily. Router the numbers and line, paint the post black, the hole # green, distance & line yellow - looks great. Black 4x4 is pretty tough to vandalize (unrewarding to sharpie and doesn't show much if done). Also easier to update/replace if course changes over time.

Seems to me that the nicer the signs are, the bigger an invitaion they are to idiots/vandals.
But if you do decide to go with actual signs, why not use the additional space for something that's interesting (if not very useful): "Net Elevation Change from Tee to Pin: -15 ft."


Pix of trees on the fairway are useless. My first time on any course, if I can't see the pin from the tee, I'm walking the fairway untill I spot it, regardless of what the tee sign shows - signs can't show you the window you need to hit.

I like the idea to paint the posts. Vandal resistance in general.

Elevation change, great idea. Go gps

Your right, why have I spent so much time locating trees. I will use 'artistic freedom'. I have never looked at a sign to find my line.

 

[KenTyburski]

I agree with almost everything everyone has stated so far. Kudos. For me, I would say...

Necessities:
#1) Distance measurement with a fair degree of accuracy.
#2) Fairly accurate layout map of the hole, even if it is simple, stylized, or not 100% perfect with respect to every individual tree and such. Any OB, water, or other major hazard should be represented with some level of accuracy.
#3) Locations of alternate tees and targets with current location(s) marked if possible.

Bonus material or extras, in no particular order:
1) Elevation change from tee to basket. The signs at my home course have this, and also give the effective distance given the elevation change; however, on longer holes with rolling hills, that's useless because each throw will have its own effective distance. This feature might also include arrows indicating severe slopes at various locations along the hole.
2) Direction to the next tee, although I always forget this once I get down the fairway. I prefer small signs hanging on the bottom of the basket or painted rods on the cage bottom to direct me. You can also remove this from tee/basket altogether by using small signs near paths or on trees near the putting area as reference.
3) A photo from the basket back to the tee, or of the putting area, if your budget allows it. A nice feature to see what the landing area actually looks like without having to walk too far.
4) Lines showing possible fairway flight paths as appropriate; however, I hate when signs tell me where to throw.
5) Hole sponsorship information, or contact information for the club or organization responsible for the course. This might include a contact number for lost discs.

 

[discoholic]

I'm trying to post a pic of a rough draft. But I suck at this online stuff.

I'm trying to put it on photobucket, but idk.

How do I do this. I have a jpg, pdf, pic or what ever.

I'm old. Help

 

[KenTyburski]

You can put it right on here. Just click "Go Advanced" below the entry window, and then look for "Manage Attachments".

 

[KenTyburski]

Not going to toot his horn too much, but here is one my brother did for the Rockness Monster course at the community college for which he works. The sign is located at the white tee.

 

[Psicko]

Accuracy is important;pin placements, tree placement, and distance, especially on blind holes. I like the next teebox indicated as well.

Another one is not actually on the tee sign, but placement of the tee is very important.

A suggestion that I have seen implemented to indicate basket location is drill small holes near the side of the tee sign next to the basket locations, and put a small lock in the hole to indicate pin placement. I saw this done at Marana rock in Marana, AZ. I'm on my nook, or I would post a link to the course. I tink I remembered seeing pictures of these.


Ken- that is awesome.

 

[KenTyburski]

Ken- that is awesome.

These are like, 12 x 18 metal signs. Hard to miss, lots of information. Dave has done a lot of great work on the course. Of course, my brother is a graphic designer, so he rolls with stuff like this. I'll tell him you appreciate his work. I am sure he would make his skills available for a small fee.