How to Choose the Right Golf Tees for Your Game

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Course Management & Strategy

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Quick Answer

• Pick tees that match your driver’s loft and how high you like to tee it up.
• Consider wood for biodegradability or plastic for durability.
• Match the tee length to your longest club for a solid strike.

Who This is For

• Anyone new to the game who just wants to get the right gear.
• Golfers looking to dial in their setup for more consistent drives.
• Seasoned players who want to fine-tune their equipment for every course condition.

What Tees Should I Play: What to Check First

• Driver Loft: Know your driver’s loft angle. It’s usually printed on the club or in the manual. This is key for getting the ball up in the air.
• Tee Height Preference: Figure out your sweet spot. Where does the ball feel best on the clubface when you swing? It’s all about consistency.
• Club Length: Measure your driver. A longer club generally needs a longer tee to get the ball positioned correctly.
• Course Conditions: While less critical than other factors, consider if you’re playing on a course with very firm or very soft ground. This might influence your preference for certain tee materials.
• Personal Feel: How does the tee feel in your hand? Does it break too easily? Do you prefer the stability of a thicker tee?

Step-by-Step Plan for Choosing Your Golf Tees

Getting your tee game dialed in is easier than you think. It’s all about a few simple checks.

1. Identify Your Driver’s Loft. Look for the loft angle on your driver. This is typically printed on the clubface, the hosel, or you can find it in your club’s specifications online. Common lofts range from 8.5° to 12°, with 10.5° being a popular choice for many amateurs. Mistake: Assuming all drivers have the same loft. Different lofts produce different launch angles, and your tee height needs to complement this. A lower lofted driver (e.g., 8.5°) often benefits from a slightly lower tee, while a higher lofted driver (e.g., 12°) might work better with a slightly higher tee to get the ball up.

2. Determine Your Preferred Tee Height. The general rule of thumb for teeing up your driver is to have about half the ball sitting above the crown (the top surface) of your driver. This position allows the clubface to strike the ball on its upward arc, promoting a higher, more efficient launch. Mistake: Teeing too high or too low consistently. Teeing too high can lead to topping the ball or hitting sky balls with excessive spin, while teeing too low can result in thin shots where you catch the ball too low on the face, reducing power and accuracy. Experiment on the driving range to find what feels best for your swing.

3. Measure Your Driver’s Length. Grab your driver and measure it from the sole to the butt of the grip. Most men’s drivers are around 45 inches long, while women’s drivers are typically a bit shorter, around 44 inches. Mistake: Not considering club size for tee length. A longer driver allows for a wider swing arc and often requires a longer tee to position the ball at the optimal height throughout that arc. If you have a particularly long or short driver compared to the average, you might need to adjust your tee length accordingly.

4. Select an Appropriate Tee Length. Based on your driver’s loft and your preferred tee height, choose a tee length. For most drivers, 3-inch or 3.25-inch tees are ideal. These longer tees provide enough height without being excessively unstable. If you’re using fairway woods or hybrids off the tee, you’ll likely want shorter tees, around 2 to 2.5 inches, as these clubs are typically shorter and you’ll be teeing the ball lower. For irons, you’ll use the shortest tees, often around 1.5 to 2 inches, or sometimes no tee at all on very short par-3s.

5. Choose Your Material. This is where personal preference and environmental consciousness come into play.

• Wood Tees: These are the classic choice. They’re biodegradable, which is a big plus for the environment. They come in various woods, like birch or pine, and can be found in many lengths and colors. However, they can break relatively easily, especially if you hit them squarely or hit a root.
• Plastic Tees: Plastic tees are generally more durable than wood. They can withstand multiple hits and are less likely to break. This can make them more cost-effective in the long run. However, they are not biodegradable and can contribute to plastic waste on the course. Some are designed with reinforced heads for added strength.
• Metal Tees: These are the most durable and can last for a very long time. They often have a solid construction and can be a good option if you’re tired of breaking tees. However, they can be harder on your clubs if you happen to miss the ball and strike the tee itself. They also don’t offer much give.
• Bamboo Tees: A good middle ground, offering more durability than basic wood tees and being more eco-friendly than plastic.

Mistake: Ignoring tee material. Your choice impacts durability, environmental footprint, and even the feel of your shot. Some golfers swear by a specific material for its performance characteristics.

6. Consider Tee Design. Beyond material, tees come in different designs. Some have wider heads for better ball stability, while others have shallower cups. Some even have graduated markings to help you consistently tee the ball at the same height. Mistake: Overlooking design features. A tee with a stable head might prevent the ball from wobbling, and a well-designed cup can make placing the ball easier.

7. Test It Out on the Range. The best way to know what works is to hit balls. Grab a handful of different types and lengths of tees. Hit a bucket of balls and pay attention to how each one feels and performs. Notice your contact point on the clubface, your ball flight, and how many shots it takes for the tee to break or get lost. Mistake: Sticking with one type of tee without testing. Your game might benefit significantly from a different tee length, material, or design that you haven’t considered. I’ve found that sometimes a slightly longer tee makes a difference on a windy day.

8. Make Your Choice and Stick with It (Mostly). Once you’ve found a tee that consistently gives you good results and feels right, make it your go-to. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with different tees on the course if you feel something isn’t quite right, especially if you’re trying to dial in a new driver or adjust to different course conditions.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Golf Tees

Making the wrong choice about your tees might seem minor, but it can definitely impact your game.

• Using the Wrong Length Tee — This leads to inconsistent launch angles and reduced distance. If your tee is too short, you’ll likely hit the ball too low on the face, resulting in a weak shot. If it’s too long, you might hit the ball too high on the face, causing a skyward trajectory with poor distance. — Use tees that match your driver’s loft and your desired tee height. For drivers, aim for 3-inch or 3.25-inch tees. For shorter clubs, use shorter tees.

• Ignoring Tee Material — Plastic tees can be less eco-friendly and might feel stiff, while wood tees can break easily, leading to frustration. — Choose based on durability, environmental impact, and personal feel. If you’re eco-conscious, wood or bamboo are great. If you want something that lasts, durable plastic or even metal might be your preference.

• Teeing Too High or Too Low — Teeing too high can cause you to hit under the ball, leading to sky balls or topped shots with excessive backspin. Teeing too low can result in thin shots where you catch the ball too low on the clubface, causing a low, weak trajectory. — Aim for about half the ball sitting above the driver’s crown for optimal contact and launch angle. This is the sweet spot for most golfers.

• Not Considering Your Driver’s Loft — This directly impacts your launch angle and how the ball flies. If you have a low-lofted driver and tee the ball too high, you’ll launch it extremely high and lose distance. If you have a high-lofted driver and tee it too low, you won’t get the height you need. — Match your tee height to your driver’s loft for the best ball flight. Generally, a higher tee complements a lower loft, and a lower tee complements a higher loft.

• Buying Cheap, Flimsy Tees — These tees break easily, often on the first swing, leaving you scrambling for another tee or compromising your setup. They don’t offer consistent height or stability. — Invest in decent quality tees that are designed for durability and consistent performance. A few extra cents per tee can save you strokes and frustration.

• Using the Same Tee for Every Club — Drivers, fairway woods, and irons have different sole designs and are meant to be struck at different points relative to the ground. Using a long tee for an iron can lead to poor contact. — Use longer tees (around 3 inches) for your driver and shorter tees (around 2 inches) for fairway woods and hybrids. For irons, you’ll typically use very short tees (1.5-2 inches) or even just a divot tool on the ground.

• Not Checking for Damage or Warpage — Even durable tees can become warped or damaged over time, affecting their stability. — Visually inspect your tees before use. If a tee looks bent, cracked, or significantly worn, it’s best to replace it to ensure a consistent setup.

FAQ

• What is the standard length for a golf tee?

Standard tees often come in around 2 ¾ inches, which is a good all-around size. However, for drivers, many golfers prefer longer tees, typically 3 inches or 3.25 inches, to achieve the optimal tee height. Shorter tees, around 1.5 to 2 inches, are used for fairway woods and irons.

• How does tee height affect my golf drive?

Tee height is crucial for optimizing your launch angle. Teeing the ball higher generally promotes a higher launch angle, which can increase distance for many golfers by allowing the club to strike the ball on the upswing. Teeing too low can result in a lower, less efficient shot with less carry. It’s about finding that sweet spot where half the ball is above the driver’s crown.

• Are wooden or plastic golf tees better?

Wooden tees are biodegradable and are often preferred by golfers who are environmentally conscious. They are also readily available and inexpensive, though they tend to break more easily. Plastic tees are generally more durable and can be used multiple times, but they are not biodegradable. The “better” choice depends on your priorities: environmental impact, durability, or cost.

• Do I need different tees for different clubs?

Yes, absolutely. You’ll typically use longer tees (around 3 inches or more) for your driver because it’s the longest club and you want to tee the ball higher. For fairway woods and hybrids, which are shorter clubs, you’ll use shorter tees (around 2 to 2.5 inches) to achieve a more appropriate tee height. For irons, very short tees (1.5 to 2 inches) are used, or sometimes golfers will play directly off the turf.

• Can the wrong tee hurt my game?

Yes, the wrong tee can definitely hurt your game. An improperly sized tee can lead to inconsistent ball striking, affecting your launch angle, spin rate, and ultimately, your distance and accuracy. If a tee breaks mid-swing, it can disrupt your rhythm and focus. Using a tee that’s too tall or too short can lead to poor contact, resulting in weak shots, slices, or hooks.

• How do I know if my tee is the right height?

The most common guideline is to have about half of the golf ball visible above the crown of your driver when the tee is set. You can visually check this. On the driving range, pay attention to your ball flight. If you’re consistently hitting shots too low or too high, your tee height might need adjustment. Experimenting is key to finding your personal optimal tee height.

• What are those special tees with the little collars?

Those are often called “zero-friction” tees or tees with alignment guides. The collars are designed to limit the amount of the tee that enters the ground, theoretically reducing friction and allowing the club to glide over the tee more smoothly. Some golfers find they improve consistency, while others prefer traditional tees. They can be a good option if you want to experiment with maximizing distance.

Sources:

• How to Choose the Right Golf Tee for Your Game