The shortest set of tee boxes you see on a golf course, often colored red, are known as the forward tees. Traditionally mislabeled as ladies' tees, their real purpose is simply to shorten the overall length of the course, making the game more playable and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers. This article will break down what forward tees are, who should be using them, and how choosing the right set of tees can completely change your experience on the course for the better.
Every golf course has multiple sets of tee boxes on each hole, designated by different colors like gold, black, blue, white, and red. The forward tees are simply the set positioned closest to the green, resulting in the shortest possible yardage for the golf course. For decades, these were almost universally known as the "ladies' tees," a term that created a significant and unhelpful stigma.
Thankfully, the golf world is moving past that outdated thinking. The color or position of a tee box has nothing to do with gender. It's all about matching the length of the course to a golfer's ability, specifically their hitting distance. The goal of using different tees is for every player, regardless of how far they hit the ball, to experience the course in a similar strategic way. Playing from the correct tee box means you’ll be hitting similar clubs into greens as scratch golfers or tour pros playing from the back tees. It’s all about scaling the course to fit your game.
The PGA of America and the USGA have even launched major initiatives like "Tee It Forward" to encourage more golfers to play from tees that match their skill level. This single change helps speed up play, lower scores, and most importantly, make the game significantly more fun for everyone.
The short answer is: a lot more people than you think. The stigma often prevents golfers from making the smart choice, but playing from the forward tees is a strategic decision that benefits many types of players. Let's break down who is a perfect candidate.
If you're new to golf, the forward tees are your best friend. Starting out can be overwhelming, and playing a 6,500-yard course feels like an impossible task. Moving up to the forward tees (which might be closer to 5,000 yards) makes a world of difference.
There is no shame in admitting that you don't hit the ball as far as you used to. A loss in flexibility, strength, or just the natural process of aging can reduce swing speed and, therefore, distance. But that shouldn't mean you can no longer enjoy a round of golf.
Think about a 380-yard par 4. If you used to hit your driver 240 yards, you’d have a comfortable 140-yard approach shot. If your drive now goes 190 yards, you’re left with another 190-yard shot, probably with a fairway wood. That changes the entire nature of the hole. By moving to a forward tee that makes the hole 310 yards, a 190-yard drive now leaves you with a 120-yard approach - a much more manageable and scoreable distance. It puts the "par" back into a par 4.
Scaling the course is fundamental to player development for kids. You wouldn't ask a Little Leaguer to play in a Major League ballpark. The great U.S. Kids Golf program has guidelines based on a player's average driving distance to set up a properly scaled course. The most forward set of tees are often the perfect starting point for juniors who are just big enough and strong enough to play a full 18 holes.
Sometimes you just want to get out and enjoy the walk. Maybe you're working on a swing change and don't care about the score, or maybe your timing is just off that day. Playing from the forward tees can be a fantastic way to take the pressure off. It allows you to work on your scoring clubs (wedges and short irons), have more birdie putts, and play a quicker round without the grind.
Ego is a powerful force in golf. For many, the idea of "playing from the reds" is a hit to their pride. It’s time to shred that outdated mindset with some simple logic.
Reality: This is the most pervasive and harmful myth. Tees are for distances, not identities. There are countless women who are phenomenal golfers and play from the blue or even the black tees. Conversely, there are millions of male golfers who would score better and have more fun from the forward tees. It is purely about matching your average hitting distance to the yardage of the course.
Reality: Quite the opposite. The *real* test of golf is executing a variety of shots and navigating the course strategically. If you’re playing from tees that are too far back, almost every par 4 becomes a driver-plus-fairway-wood hole. You aren’t playing the course as the architect intended. Moving forward allows you to hit an iron into the green, which is the challenge the hole was designed to present. The real mistake isn't playing the forward tees, it's playing from tees that are too long for your game and turning golf into a game of attrition rather than skill.
Reality: This might happen, but usually, the laughter stops when you're writing a lower number on the scorecard. When you're consistently on or near the green in regulation while they're scrambling for bogeys from a tee box back, you get the last laugh. True friends and golfers want everyone to have fun and play at a decent pace. By playing the appropriate tees, you help encourage better play and a faster round for everyone. Lead by example!
Feeling convinced but still not sure? Here’s a simple checklist to determine which tee box you should be on.
The PGA’s "Tee It Forward" program provides a simple and effective guideline based on your average driver distance. It's a fantastic starting point:
Be honest with yourself about your average drive, not your single best drive of the year.
During your next round, pay attention to what club you’re hitting for your second shot on par 4s. After a solid drive, are you consistently reaching for a 3-wood, 5-wood, or a hybrid just to have a chance of reaching the green? If the answer is yes, you are playing from a tee box that is too long for your game. After a good tee shot, you should have a reasonable iron shot into the green - something from a 6-iron to a pitching wedge.
Many modern courses now offer guidance on the scorecard or on the first tee, suggesting which tee box to play based on handicap or driver distance. Take this advice! It's there to help you have the best possible experience on their course.
Ask yourself one simple question: "Am I having fun?" Golf should be a challenge, but it shouldn't be a brutal, demoralizing slog. If you leave most rounds feeling beaten up and frustrated because the course felt impossibly long, it's time for a change. Move up to the forward tees for a round and see how you feel. You might be surprised when you find yourself hitting more greens, making more putts, and walking off the 18th with a smile on your face and a better score.
Forward tees are not a sign of weakness, they are a sign of intelligence. Choosing to play a course from a yardage that matches your ability will lead to lower scores, faster rounds, and a much more enjoyable day out. Drop the ego, play smart, and start experiencing golf the way it was meant to be played.
Making smart decisions on the course, starting with tee selection, is the fastest way to lower your scores. Sometimes, what you need is that objective second opinion, like a tour-level caddie, telling you the right play. This is where modern tools can help. I found that having our app, Caddie AI, in my pocket gives me a strategic advantage. It can help you figure out the smartest way to play any hole from any tee box, analyze a tough lie from a photo to give you a play, and answer any golf question you have, 24/7. It helps take the uncertainty out of the game, so you can play with more confidence from whichever tees you choose.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
