Golfing Basics: The Types and Functions of the Tee

Tees are tiny pieces of wood or plastic that are used to hold the golf ball. They may seem insignificant but the tee takes central stage at the first stroke of the golf game. The tee shot is the first shot made at the start of each new hole played. The area around them is commonly referred to as the "tee" as well but is more properly called the teeing ground.

Varieties of Tees

The tee itself varies in size and shape. The average size of a golf tee is just over 2 inches tall though some of them are double that in height. They make plastic and wooden tees. They have reduced the width of tees to reduce friction. They even make a tee that flexes. Taller tees are best when you are using an oversized driver. As technology advances clubs and balls, it is also changing the tee.

To start there are 3 basic types of tees named according to their placement on the teeing ground: the back tee, the middle tee, and the forward tee. The back tee is normally used by experienced golfers. The Middle tee is used by those of mid-level skill, and the forward tees are best for beginners. As you progress in your golf game you can experiment with the middle and the back. If you are using the back or middle tee and can't reach a par-3 green in one shot, you need to move up.

Teeing the Ball

How high or low you tee the ball depends on the club you will be using. Drivers need a higher tee and wedges take a lower tee. When you are using a driver, the rule of thumb is to line up the bottom of the teed golf ball with the top of the driver. Because driver sizes vary, your tee size will vary as well.

The Initial Drive Shot

The use of a tee to make your drive is not a requirement, though they maximize a golfer's ability to hit the ball a longer distance. There are case when you may not want to use a tee such as those shots that are considered chips. It is against the rules to use a tee after the initial drive shot. This is something you will want to consider before deciding to chip the ball instead of using a tee. As with other aspects of golfing, there are always other factors involved in your decisions.

With all the dialogue concerning golf one really doesn't hear much about golf tees. Don't let that fool you. Those little pieces of wood and plastic matter when it comes to your golf score.