What Do You Call the First Shot in Golf?

The first shot on any golf hole is called a tee shot. It’s a simple name for a shot that's anything but, as it sets the tone for how you'll play the entire hole. This article will go far beyond that simple definition, explaining the different terms you’ll hear, the official rules for teeing off, and most importantly, how to hit a great tee shot every single time.

What Is the First Shot of a Golf Hole Called?

As we mentioned, the universally accepted term is "tee shot." The name comes from the fact that you hit it from a designated area called the teeing area or tee box. This is the only spot on the course where you are allowed to place your ball on a small peg, known as a tee, to make it easier to strike cleanly.

You'll also hear this first shot referred to as a "drive." While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. A drive specifically refers to a tee shot hit with the longest club in the bag, the driver. This is typically done on longer holes, like par 4s and par 5s, where maximum distance is the goal. A tee shot, however, is a more general term that covers the first shot on any hole, regardless of the club used. You might hit a tee shot with a 3-wood for more control, a hybrid, or even an iron on a short par 3.

The easiest way to remember it is this: every drive is a tee shot, but not every tee shot is a drive.

Beyond the Basics: Slang for the First Shot

Like any sport, golf has its own language. Stepping onto the tee, you might hear your playing partners use terms that go beyond "tee shot" or "drive." Understanding these will make you feel more at home on the course.

• Opening Salvo: A more dramatic way of referring to the very first tee shot of the round.
• Bomb: If you or someone in your group hits an exceptionally long drive, someone will likely yell, "You bombed it!" It's a high compliment for pure power.
• Stinger: This describes a specific type of tee shot popularized by Tiger Woods. It’s a low, piercing, controlled shot hit with a long iron or fairway wood that bores through the wind and runs a long way after landing.
• Finding the Fairway/Getting it in Play: These phrases describe the primary goal of any good tee shot - simply to place the ball in the short grass (the fairway) and set up a good second shot. An experienced golfer knows that a 240-yard drive in the fairway is almost always better than a 280-yard drive in the trees.

Hearing this chatter is part of the fun of the game. Don't worry about knowing all the terms at first, you'll pick them up just by playing and listening.

Understanding the Tee Box Rules

The teeing area has specific rules you need to follow. Getting this right from the start will save you from making simple mistakes and incurring unnecessary penalty strokes.

Where to Tee Your Ball

You can't just tee up anywhere you want. A teeing area is marked by a pair of tee markers (which come in different colors to signify different teeing grounds and lengths). You must tee your ball up in the area that is:

• Between the two tee markers.
• Within two club-lengths behind the front line of the markers.

Imagine an invisible, rectangular box. The front edge is a line running between the two markers. The sides extend straight back, and the back edge is two club-lengths behind the front line. You can stand outside of this box to hit your shot, but your ball must be tee-d up somewhere within it. If you accidentally play from outside this area in stroke play, it's a two-stroke penalty, and you must correct the mistake by playing again from within the proper teeing area.

Who Hits First? "Playing with Honors"

On the first tee of the day, the order of play (who hits first) is usually decided by a friendly agreement or a simple random Method like flipping a tee. From the second hole onwards, the person with the best score on the previous hole earns the "honor" and gets to tee off first. If players tie on a hole, the order from the previous tee is maintained.

How to a Hit a Great Tee Shot: A Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing the names and rules is one thing, but smashing a confident tee shot down the middle of the fairway is what we're all after. As a coach, this is where I see golfers make the biggest strides. Forget trying to hit it like the pros and focus on a few simple, repeatable actions.

Step 1: The Pre-Shot Routine &, Strategy

A great tee shot starts before you even address the ball. Instead of just stepping up and swinging, take a moment to develop a plan. Walk up to the tee box and observe the hole. Are there bunkers on the right side? Is there a water hazard on the left? Forcing yourself to only use a driver on every par 4 and 5 is one of the quickest ways to add strokes to your score. Sometimes, the smarter play is taking a 3-wood or a hybrid to stay short of trouble.

Once you've chosen your club, pick a specific target. Don't just aim for "the fairway." Pick a distant tree, the corner edge of a far-off bunker, or a certain patch of grass. A smaller target narrows your focus and gives you a much better chance of success. This simple act of planning removes doubt and allows you to make a more committed, confident swing.

Step 2: Nailing the Setup

Your setup influences your entire swing. Get it right, and you're halfway to a solid shot. It might feel a little strange at first, but a good golf posture is athletic and prepares the body to turn powerfully.

• Ball Position: With a driver, the ball should be placed forward in your stance, in line with the heel or instep of your lead foot (your left foot for a right-handed player). This helps you hit the ball on the upswing for maximum distance. For a tee shot with an iron or hybrid on a par 3, the ball should be positioned more toward the center of your stance.
• Stance Width: For a driver, your feet should be slightly wider than your shoulders. This provides a stable base to support the powerful rotation of a driver swing.
• Posture: This is a big one. Bend forward from your hips, not your waist, and let your bottom stick out. You want to feel like an athlete ready to move. Let your arms hang down naturally and relaxed from your shoulders. It often feels weird - many new players feel self-conscious - but when you see it on video, you'll realize you look like a real golfer.
• Tee Height: For your driver, you want to tee it high so that about half of the golf ball sits above the top edge of your clubface at address. For an iron, tee it much lower - you just want the bottom of the ball to be level with or very slightly above the turf.

Step 3: The Swing Feel: Rotation is Your Engine

The number one mistake I see is golfers trying to generate power with just their arms. True power comes from the rotation of your body. Think of your body as the engine and your arms and the club as the thing it powers.

The movement wants to be a rotational action of the golf club moving around the body in a circle-like motion. As you start the backswing, feel your shoulders, chest, and hips turn away from the target together. It’s a smooth, unified turn, not a jerky lift with your hands.

In the downswing, the magic happens. Instead of throwing the club at the ball with your arms from the top, the first move is a slight shift of your weight and pressure onto your lead food, followed by the unwinding of your hips. This "unravels" the turn you created in your backswing, allowing the club to rocket through the impact zone naturally with maximum speed. Your goal is to swing through the ball toward your target, not just at it.

A great-feeling shot always finishes in a great-looking position: fully balanced, with your weight on your lead foot and your chest facing the target. If you can hold your finish until the ball lands, it's a very good sign that your swing was in balance.

Conquering First Tee Jitters

Let's be honest: that first tee shot of the day can be nerve-wracking. Your friends are watching, you’re not warmed up yet, and you just want to get the round started on a positive note. This is completely normal. Even the best players in the world feel nerves on the first tee.

The key is not to eliminate the feeling but to manage it. Here’s how:

1. Breathe. Before you step up to the ball, take two or three deep, slow breaths. This physically slows your heart rate and clears your mind.
2. Trust Your Routine. Your pre-shot routine is your best friend under pressure. Focus on each step - picking your target, taking a practice swing, setting up to the ball. A familiar process gives your brain something comfortng to focus on instead of the pressure.
3. Swing Smooth. Dont try to hit your hardest drive of the day on the first tee. A smooth swing at 80% is far more likely to find the fairway than an all-out hack.
4. Forget Perfect. Your goal isn't a miraculous 300-yard bomb. Your one and only goal is to get the ball in play. That's it. A nice shot in the fairway builds confidence that will carry you through the rest of the round.

Final Thoughts

The first shot on a golf hole, your tee shot, is more than just a way to start the hole - it’s an opportunity to set yourself up for success. By understanding the terminology, following the rules, and building a simple, repeatable technique based on good setup and body rotation, you can take a major step toward playing more consistent and enjoyable golf.

Thinking about strategy, mastering your setup, and managing the course can feel like a lot to process, especially when you’re standing over the ball. It's why we built Caddie AI to be your personal on-demand golf expert. If you aren't sure on the best club off the tee or need a quick reminder of the proper ball position for your driver, you can get simple, expert answers in seconds. Our goal is to remove the guesswork from the game so you can step up to every tee shot with a clear plan and the confidence to execute it.