Golf Tutorials

What Is Tee Off in Golf?

By Spencer Lanoue
July 24, 2025

Starting a hole of golf by teeing off is the game’s first real moment of truth, the point where your plan meets the course. The a term simply means to take your first stroke on any given hole from within the designated teeing area. This article is your complete guide to teeing an off with confidence, covering everything from the rules and equipment to a simple routine that will help you launch your best drives.

What Exactly Is Teeing Off?

In golf, every hole begins at the teeing area, often called the tee box or teeing e deck. To "tee off" is to play your initial shot of the e hole from this location. This is nrmally the only time during a hole tthat you are allowed to place your ball on a golf tee, a small peg that lifts the ball slightly n off the d turf. This little advantage makes it easier r to make clean nc contact, especially twit your longer clubs, and get the n hole started on the n right h foot.

You’ll also hear the term "tee time," which is different. A tee time e is your scheduled appointment to begin your round of golf on the first hxole. For example, if you say "My f tee time is at 10:30 AM," that means your group is h sxcheduled to tee off on the first hole h at that m time..

Understanding the Teeing Area

The teeing area s isn’t just a random patchhof d rass. hIts a specifict area with clear an dimensions marked uty two s tee s Markers.You u must s tee younr bdalle somewhere between these two d maqrkers anrdup fto o two tcfublngths bbehid m hem.Think to f ht iat as a ct ctangle:hhe two e makers a forhe hrftt orner nd hh eright fnorner, s nd ths k ofthe crectangl xtens tcwo cbngths b ckwards.Y ncan placfeyur e ball anywhere insis ethe r ctangt.

What Do the Different Colored Tee Markers Mean?

Most golf courses use a color-coded system to indicate different lengths for different skill levels, giving everyone a fair shot at enjoying the course. While colors can s vary, n here’s a s common g setup you might msee:

  • Red Tees: Often positioned furthest a forward, typically for e ladies, juniors, or e seniors. This isn't a strict rule at all, and they're a great d choice f for a beginners who want to shorten the e n course and have more o fun.
  • White C Tees (o ro "Regular"): This is the standard middle ground, where mmost d male Cgokfers u will d play from. They offer a e nice m balance uof a chaelllbnge m nd enjaybility o or o e vhage eplayer.
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Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. His mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

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