Walking up to the first hole and seeing five different colored sets of tee markers can be intimidating, leaving many golfers to wonder, Which ones are for me? Picking the right tee box is one of the most important decisions you'll make before you ever swing the club, yet it’s often overlooked. This guide will clear up the confusion, explain what the different tees mean, and give you a simple framework for choosing the perfect set for your game, ensuring you have more fun and play better golf.
Before we break down the colors, let's establish what we're talking about. The “teeing area” (or teeing ground) is the designated starting point for each hole on a golf course. It’s not just one spot, it's a specific rectangular area where you must play your first shot from.
The different colored blocks you see are called tee markers. Each pair of colored markers defines a different starting position, which in turn changes the length of the hole. The rules state you must tee your ball up somewhere within the area bounded by the two markers and extending two club-lengths back from them. TEE-ing up in front of the markers is a penalty, so always stay between or behind them!
Playing from a more distant set of markers (like the back tees) makes the hole longer and often brings more hazards into play. Playing from a closer set (like the forward tees) makes the hole shorter and potentially easier. The goal is to choose a set that matches your skill level and how far you hit the ball.
While golf courses have their own unique names and colors, there’s a traditional color system you’ll see most places. It's important to remember this is a general guideline, not a strict rule. Always check the scorecard for the actual yardages of each set of tees.
Let's pause here for a critical piece of coaching advice: Forget the old-fashioned labels. The idea that red tees are "for women" and white tees are "for men" is an outdated way of thinking that holds golfers back.
Playing from the wrong tees because of ego or tradition is among the top fun-killers in golf. I’ve seen strong GTEF-hitting female players who should be playing the white or even blue tees, and I’ve seen beginner male golfers struggle miserably from the whites when they would have a blast playing from the reds or golds.
The entire point of multiple tee boxes is to allow every player to enjoy the course as it was designed. A well-designed par 4 from the right tee box should leave you with a mid-to-short iron for your second shot. If you’re consistently hitting a hybrid or fairway wood into every par 4, you are almost certainly playing from tees that are too far back for your game.
Swallowing your pride and moving up a tee box isn't a sign of weakness - it's a sign of a smart golfer who wants to shoot lower scores and have more fun. You’ll have more birdie putts, fewer lost balls, and a much better time.
So, how do you actually pick the right tees on any given day at any given course? Here’s a simple, step-by-step framework to guide you.
This is the single most important factor. The total yardage of the course you play should be directly related to how far you hit your driver. Find your average driver distance (be honest with yourself - not your one "perfect" drive, but your typical good one), then consult the scorecard. Here's a solid guideline to start with:
By a "Tee It Forward" initiative, the PGA and USGA advocate for this approach to help golfers have a better experience on the course.
If you want to get a bit more specific, there's a fantastic formula that works wonders. It helps you find a course yardage that’s mathematically suited to your game.
Here’s how it works:
(The distance you hit your 5-iron) x 36 = Your Ideal Total Course Yardage
Let’s say you hit your 5-iron about 160 yards.
160 x 36 = 5,760 yards.
On the scorecard, you should look for the set of tees that plays closest to 5,760 yards. This simple calculation will almost always put you in a position to hit reasonable approach shots into greens, which is the key to shooting good scores.
Are you playing a friendly round with buddies who are much better or worse than you? There’s nothing wrong with everyone playing from different tees to even the playing field. Are you feeling tired or fighting your swing? Move up a tee box and give yourself a break. Are you preparing for a tournament and need to test yourself from the official tournament tees? Then stick with that set.
Your reason for playing that day should influence your choice. Golf is supposed to be enjoyable, and choosing the right tee box is your first step toward setting the right level of difficulty for your round.
Finally, the scorecard contains two other useful numbers for each set of tees: the Course Rating and the Slope Rating.
You don't need to overthink these numbers, but if you're deciding between two sets of tees with similar yardages, the one with the higher Course Rating and a higher slope will be the more difficult test.
Ultimately, selecting the correct set of tees comes down to one simple idea: set yourself up for success and enjoyment. By matching the course length to your own abilities, you give yourself a genuine chance to play the game well, hit a variety of clubs, and walk off the 18th green feeling satisfied instead of beaten down.
Once you’ve chosen the right tees, the next challenge is creating a smart strategy for each hole. To help with that, we developed Caddie AI, which acts as your personal, on-demand golf expert. You can get a professional-level "Caddie Guide" that analyzes any hole from any tee box, suggesting the perfect target and optimal club selection. It helps remove the guesswork on course, so you can play with the confidence that you're making the smartest decision on every shot.
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