What Size Golf Tee Should I Use? — Professional Advice
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Patrick Corley
- 07/02/2022
Golfers of all skill levels work hard to try and develop better consistency in their game. While many spend countless hours working on their golf swing and obsessing over their golf clubs, choosing the correct tee height is often overlooked.
Teeing the ball up at the right height is an essential part of a successful pre-shot routine, as well as choosing the correct tee from the golf store.
Standard Tee Size in Golf
Tee sizes have changed over the years as golf club heads have grown. For example, the standard driver tee used to measure somewhere around 2.125.
Today, the average tee height measures in at around 2.75 inches; growing to match larger driver heads; measures in at around 2.75 inches.
Shorter tees are sold specifically for use with irons and fairway woods, and these usually measure around 1 inch.
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What Length Golf Tees Do Pros Use On Tour
On the PGA tour, most pros tend to stick with a traditional style tee. Wooden tees are hands down the most commonly used on tour, with plastic coming in second.
Martini style tees have even been used on both the LPGA and Champions tours.
Professional golfers almost always stick with the standard, 2.75 inch length for the driver. Some pros carry shorter tees for fairway wood and iron shots, while others use the 2.75 inch tee for all shots.
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Golf Tee Height Guide
While there is no “right” or “wrong” height to tee up a golf ball, there are a few standard heights that most golfers tend to stick to. For the driver, the standard height to tee your ball up is around 1.5 inches. At this height, the halfway point of the ball should be in line with the top of the driver.
With fairway woods, it is common practice to tee the ball between a quarter inch and a half inch off the ground. With irons, a quarter inch or less from the ground is standard, with many players driving the tee all the way into the ground until the ball is flat with the grass. This allows players to swing regularly as they would at a ball in the fairway, while also ensuring that the ball is resting on a perfect lie.
These are the standard heights many players use as a reference point, but many players adjust their tee height as needed. Different hole layouts and course conditions call for different types of shots, and adjusting the tee height is one way of impacting ball flight. In general, teeing the ball up higher will lead to a higher ball flight, while a lower shot is produced from a lower tee. For these reasons, experienced golfers will tee the ball low when driving into the wind, and “tee it high and let it fly” when downwind.
There are some common tee height mistakes that golfers at the local course make all the time, leading to less fairways and more bogeys. Many golfers don’t think too much about the exact height of their tee, and end up teeing the ball at different heights throughout the round. This can have a huge impact on the consistency of a golf shot, making it tougher to hit the sweet spot and leading to worse accuracy and yardage.
Which Golf Tees To Use for Your Game
Wooden tees
– For years, golf tees have been made out of wood, usually American cedar. While this does make them the most traditional option, this does not necessarily mean they are the best. While some golfers enjoy the snapping sound of a wooden tee breaking, this means they need replacing often. Additionally, hundreds of broken tees are left behind for the grounds crew to clean up. Still, many golfers are traditionalists – and will never part ways with the original wooden tee.
Bamboo tees
– Bamboo is an upgraded material when it comes to the golf tee, as it is stronger than cedar making it less likely to break. It is also a more sustainable material to use, as bamboo stalks can be grown much more quickly than cedar trees. While they do take a long time to break down, these bamboo tees are also biodegradable. This is an added advantage for stray tees missed during cleanup. Bamboo tees are great for the golfer who enjoys the look and feel of wooden tees, and doesn’t mind spending a bit more for an upgraded version.
Plastic tees
– Plastic tees do not break, making it possible to use just one for an entire round of golf. To keep from breaking, they are engineered to instead bend on impact. Some golfers dislike the minuscule marks that a plastic tee can leave behind on a club face, but these marks are too small for most to notice. Plastic tees are a good fit for the golfer that likes to use the same tee for an entire round, and have less clutter in the bag.
Marked tees
– Wooden, bamboo, and plastic golf tees can all be found marked with lines at various lengths along the tee. These marks allow players to keep an eye on how high they are teeing the ball up, while allowing them to adjust tee height as needed. The team of experts at Tell Me More Golf highly recommend trying out a marked version of your favorite golf tee, as this simple addition is a great visual tool.
Brush tees
– Brush tees are designs with synthetic bristles that point upward from the base. The bottom of the tee is a traditional shaped spike, and drives into the ground. The ball rests atop the bed of synthetic bristles, which give more easily than a traditional tee and provide less friction. Brush tees are great for players who struggle with consistency, as they allow for a uniform ball height during every tee shot. They are also perfect for use during driving range sessions, as they will stay in the ground after each shot, instead of flying away or breaking.
“Friction Free” tees
– Companies like “0 friction” and “4 more yards” have started manufacturing plastic tees with an important upgraded design feature. Instead of resting on a wide dimple, the ball rests on thin plastic prongs sticking out from the top of the tee. This allows for less club friction during impact and, as the name suggests, can add up to four yards to a player’s drive. These tees are best for golfers who are always searching for any slight advantage, and don’t mind spending a bit more or adjusting to a different look.
“Martini” tees
– These large, colorful tees get their name from the extra large cone shaped ball holder at the top, which gives them a look similar to that of a martini glass. They also have a notch in the bottom area that stops the tee in the same place every time, allowing for uniform ball height. The extra wide top area makes them incredibly easy to tee up, and they are also completely legal for tournament use. Martini tees are great for golfers who like to have a good time and express themselves on the course.“Anti-Slice” tees – are designed to come into contact with the bottom, and only one side of the ball. The USGA has declared these tees to be illegal for play, because they are made to intentionally alter the flight and spin of the ball. While they are fun to experiment with, Anti-Slice tees are not a great option for use on the golf course. Some golfers like the idea of straightening out their drives to beat their friends on the golf course, but those trying to pull a quick one with this non-conforming tee will be called out in a heartbeat. The unique design of these tees make them stick out like a sore thumb, and they can be spotted easily by any opponent.
TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common golf tee size?
The most common golf tee size is 2.75 inches, though years ago the standard tee was over a half inch shorter.
What height golf tees should I use?
The team of experts at Tell Me More Golf recommend sticking with the standard length 2.75 inch tee. If it’s good enough for PGA Tour golfers, it’s good enough for you.
What size golf tees do most pros use?
Most pros tend to stick with the standard 2.75 inch tee, and tee the ball up at various heights throughout the round.
What tees should a beginner use?
For beginners, the team at Tell Me More Golf recommend using marked tees with lines down the body. These lined tees help you consistently get the correct height, and adjust the ball up or down as needed.
Conclusion: Research by Tellmemoregolf.com
While a golf tee is one of the most commonly used pieces of golf equipment, many players fail to choose the correct one, or even think about their tee at all.
Here at Tell Me More Golf, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to choose the right style of tee, as well as the correct length. Choosing the right tee is a great way to hit more fairways, and set yourself up for a successful round.
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