Choosing a golf tee seems simple enough, but that small peg plays a surprisingly large role in your success on every hole. Using the right tee - and more importantly, using it correctly - is one of the easiest ways to give yourself an advantage and set the stage for a great shot. This guide will walk you through exactly what kind of golf tees you should use, covering everything from material and length to the proper tee height for every club in your bag.
Absolutely. Think of your golf tee as a tool for creating the perfect lie. On every tee box, you have a unique opportunity to place your ball in the absolute ideal position, giving you the best possible chance to make clean contact. You don’t get this advantage anywhere else on the course, so it's a huge missed opportunity if you don't take it seriously.
Here’s why it's so important:
In short, starting with the right tee and the right height gives you confidence and a repeatable setup. It’s a small detail that removes guesswork and primes you for success before your swing even begins.
Walk into any golf shop and you'll see a wall of tees in different materials, colors, and designs. While it can be overwhelming, the choice largely comes down to two main categories: wood and plastic. Each has its pros and cons.
Wooden tees are the traditional choice and still incredibly popular for good reasons. They are cheap, come in big bags, and are biodegradable, which is a nice plus for the golf course.
For many golfers and coaches, the fact that they break isn't a downside. A clean snap at impact is often a sign of solid, centered contact. Most touring pros still use simple wooden tees.
Plastic tees were designed to solve wood's biggest drawback: durability. A single plastic tee can last dozens of rounds, making them a "buy it and forget it" option for some golfers.
You’ve likely seen them: tees with flexible rubber tips or bristles that claim to reduce friction between the ball and the tee at impact, promising you extra yards. The science behind these claims is debated. While technically there might be a fractional reduction in friction, the effect on your ball flight is likely minimal compared to other factors like swing speed, impact location, and weather conditions.
The takeaway: If a specialty tee gives you confidence and helps you tee the ball to a consistent height, then it’s a good choice for you. However, don't expect it to be a magical fix that adds 20 yards to your drive. The fundamentals of tee height and a good swing are infinitely more important.
This is where the real coaching happens. Choosing the material is personal preference, but choosing the right height is strategy. Here’s a clear breakdown for every club you might use off the tee.
With today's large 460cc driver heads, hitting up on the ball is the key to maximizing distance. You want the center of the ball to be aligned with the top part of the clubface at impact.
The Golden Rule: When you place your driver head on the ground next to the teed-up ball, approximately half of the golf ball should be sitting above the top edge (the crown) of the driver. This is the perfect starting point.
Quick Adjustments:
When you opt for a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee, the goal changes. These clubs are designed with a flatter sole to be hit off the fairway, so you don't want to tee the ball high like a driver. Teeing it too high encourages a steep, downward strike that causes pop-ups or sky-marks.
The Guideline: Tee the ball very low to the ground. You want just a sliver of space between the turf and the bottom of the ball. A good aim point is to have no more than one-third of the ball above the clubface when you set up to it. It should feel like you’re simply giving yourself a perfect fairway lie on the tee box.
It’s shocking how many amateur golfers hit their irons straight off the turf on par 3s. The Rules of Golf give you permission to use a tee on any teeing area, and you should always take this advantage. Hitting from a tee gives you a perfect lie every time and virtually eliminates the chance of a "fat" shot (hitting the ground before the ball).
How to do it: The goal here is to replicate a perfect fairway lie, not to launch the ball high. Push the tee almost all the way into the ground until the very top of the lip is just barely clipping the grass. The ball shouldn't feel elevated, it should just be sitting cleanly on top of the turf.
Practicing this consistent setup for your par 3 tee shots makes them far less intimidating and far more consistent.
Tee length is all about facilitating the proper tee height for the club you're hitting. Using a tee that's too short for your driver can make it impossible to get the ball high enough. Trying to use a 4-inch tee on a par 3 can be a real hassle.
Here’s a simple guide to common tee lengths:
Don’t overcomplicate things. The easiest way to manage your tees is to carry two different sizes in your bag.
This simple system ensures you always have the right tool for the job without having to think about it.
Ultimately, your golf tee is a small piece of equipment that makes a massive difference in consistency and confidence. By understanding the different materials, carrying the right lengths, and mastering the proper tee height for your driver, woods, and irons, you eliminate guesswork and give yourself the best possible foundation for every tee shot.
Of course, smart decisions from the tee go beyond just dialing in your tee height. When you’re facing a tricky par 4 with trouble looming on both sides, having a clear strategy is just as important. That's where we wanted to give you an extra edge. With Caddie AI, you can get instant strategic advice for any hole you're playing, right from your phone. Simply describe the layout or upload a photo, and you’ll get a simple plan that helps you avoid mistakes and play with a ton more confidence, letting you focus on making a great swing.
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