Crafting your own golf tees is a rewarding project that connects you to the fundamentals of the game in a very hands-on way. It’s more than just a piece of wood or plastic, it's the platform for every drive, the starting point of every hole. This guide will walk you through the simple, enjoyable process of making your own classic wooden golf tees, giving you a small piece of equipment you can take genuine pride in.
As a coach, I'm always looking for ways to get players to connect more deeply with the game. We focus so much on the big picture of the swing, the strategy, and the score, but golf is also a game of feel and fine details. Making your own tees is a fantastic way to engage with the game on a quieter, more tactile level. It’s a bit like learning to do your own regripping or polishing your own clubs - it creates a sense of ownership and a deeper appreciation for the tools of the trade.
Think about the confidence it brings. Standing on the first tee box, pulling out a tee that you didn't just buy, but a tee you actually crafted - that carries a certain weight. You know exactly what it's made of, how it's shaped, and you’ve put your time into it. It’s a small detail, but golf is a mental game, and these little- uncontaminated by ego or frustration. Moreover, it affords you the chance to customize. Want a tee with a specific mark for consistent height? You can make that. Want a finish that feels just right in your fingers? You can create that, too. This process isn't really about saving a few dollars, it's about engaging with your passion from a different perspective and creating something uniquely yours.
While modern tees come in a variety of materials, from plastic to high-tech polymers, an authentic, homegrown tee almost always starts with wood. Wood has a satisfying, natural feel, and there’s a certain nostalgia tied to the classic wooden tee. Plus, it's biodegradable, which is always a bonus for the course environment.
For your project, you'll want a strong yet pliable hardwood that won’t shatter on impact with a powerful driver swing. Here are a few excellent options:
For a beginner's project, I'd recommend starting with birch or bamboo dowels. Find a dowel that is approximately 1/4 inch (or about 6-7mm) in diameter. This will give you the right thickness for a standard tee that feels right and fits securely in the ground.
You don’t need a full-fledged woodworking shop to get started. The goal here is simplicity and accessibility. Here’s a basic list of what you'll need to gather:
With your materials gathered, find a good workspace and let's get started. Think of this process like breaking down the golf swing - focus on one piece at a time, do it well, and the final result will be a success.
First, decide on the length of your tees. The most common lengths are 2 3/4 inches and 3 1/4 inches. The longer tees are generally favored for modern drivers. For this guide, let's use 2 3/4 inches as our target. Using your ruler and pencil, carefully measure and mark your dowel every 2 3/4 inches. Make your marks clear and precise. Consistency here sets the foundation, just like a consistent setup in your pre-shot routine. Once marked, use your saw to cut the dowel into individual "tee blanks." Try to make your cuts as straight and square as possible.
Now you have a handful of small dowel segments. It’s time to shape them into something that can actually go into the ground. Secure one of the blanks in your vise or clamp, leaving about an inch exposed. Take your coarser sandpaper and begin sanding the end into a point. You can do this by wrapping the sandpaper around the dowel and twisting, or by simply rubbing the dowel against a flat sheet of sandpaper at an angle. Rotate the tee blank as you go to shape it evenly. You're looking for a sharp, but not needle-thin, point. It should be robust enough to handle firm ground without snapping.
This is the most detailed part of the process, but it’s what turns a pointed stick into a proper golf tee. The 'cup' is the small, concave indentation on top where the golf ball sits. A stable cup helps ensure the ball doesn't fall off as you address it.
Secure the tee blank in your vise, cup-side up. If using a drill, a bit with a slightly rounded head works best. Carefully and slowly, press the drill bit into the center of the tee’s flat top. You only need to go down a millimeter or two - just enough to create a noticeable depression. If using a Dremel with a small sanding or grinding bit, you can gently carve out a small concave bowl. Move the tool in a small circular motion to create a smooth, symmetrical cup. Be gentle, you don’t want to go too deep.
With the point and cup shaped, it’s time for the final touches. This step is about feel. Just as a smooth swing tempo produces good results, a smooth finish makes for a quality tee. Go over the entire tee with your finer-grit sandpaper. Smooth out any rough edges on the shaft, soften the lip of the cup, and ensure the point is clean. The goal is to make it feel good in your hand and to present as little friction as possible for your club.
Here’s where you can get creative. You can leave your tees with a natural wood finish, or you can add a bit of personality with paint. Using non-toxic acrylic paint and a small brush, you can color them any way you like. A very practical coaching tip is to add a thin, painted line about an inch from the bottom. You can use this line as a visual guide to tee the ball up at the exact same height for every drive, building consistency into your setup before you even start your swing.
As your friendly neighborhood golf coach, I feel obliged to mention the rules! The USGA has standards for golf tees. According to the Rules of Golf, a tee must not be longer than 4 inches and its design should not "influence the movement of the ball." Our simple wooden tee design is perfectly compliant, but it’s a good piece of knowledge to have. You're building a tool to play the game, not to change it.
Crafting your own golf tees is a simple, meditative project that brings you a little closer to the game you love. By following these steps with a bit of patience, you can create a set of high-quality, personalized tees that carry more meaning than any you could buy in a shop.
Developing that kind of attention to detail is what golf is all about. While making tees helps you connect with your equipment, we built Caddie AI to help you connect with your game in a smarter way. Having an expert in your pocket to give instant advice on a tricky lie or provide a simple strategy for a tough par 4 takes the guesswork out of the equation. Our goal is to give every golfer access to the insights that build confidence, letting you focus on your shot, your feel, and your enjoyment of a great day on the course.
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