Golf Tees Explained: Wood vs Plastic and the Right Height (India Guide)
Golf tees explained: wood vs plastic, what length to buy, and how to set the right tee height for driver and irons.
Golf tees explained: wood vs plastic and the right height (India buying guide)
Golf tees are the cheapest item in your bag and the easiest to overlook, yet the right tee — at the right height — genuinely affects your drives and iron shots. This golf tees guide explains wood vs plastic, what length to buy, and how to set tee height so you can stop guessing on the first tee.
Wood vs plastic golf tees
Wooden tees are traditional, biodegradable and inexpensive, but they snap more easily. Plastic tees such as the Tabata Plastic Slim Golf Tees at ₹269 last far longer and often have low-friction or step designs that can reduce resistance at impact. There is no rule about which is "better" — many players simply prefer plastic for durability and consistent height, while purists like wood. Buy a bag of whichever you will not mind replacing.
Getting tee height right
Height is where tees actually influence your shot. For a driver, tee the ball so about half of it sits above the crown of the club at address — high enough to catch the ball on the upswing. For irons off a par-3, tee it low so just the top of the tee shows above the turf. Step or depth-control tees like the GolfBasic Step Marking Golf Tees (2 Sizes) at ₹320 or the Pride Sports Depth Control Golf Tees at ₹849 have a built-in stop so you push to the same height every time, which is a genuine help for consistency.
| Club | Tee height |
|---|---|
| Driver | Half the ball above the crown |
| Fairway wood / hybrid | Ball just above the ground |
| Iron (par-3) | Low — tee top barely showing |
What length of tee should you buy?
Longer tees (about 70mm) suit modern large-headed drivers, while shorter tees work for irons and fairway woods. If you only want to buy one type, a longer step tee such as the GolfBasic Premium Step Golf Tees at ₹190 covers driver duty and can be pushed deeper for lower shots. Keep a handful in your bag — they are small, cheap and easy to lose.
A word on consistency and etiquette
The underrated benefit of a marked or step tee is repeatability: teeing the ball to the exact same height every time removes one variable from your swing, which matters more than most club golfers realise. On the course, pick up your unbroken tees after each shot rather than leaving them scattered — it is basic etiquette and saves you money. Carrying two or three lengths lets you adapt to driver, hybrid and par-3 iron shots without compromise, so a small mixed pack in your bag is the practical way to be ready for every tee box.
Shop the gear
- Tabata Plastic Slim Golf Tees — ₹269
- GolfBasic Step Marking Golf Tees (2 Sizes) — ₹320
- Pride Sports Depth Control Golf Tees — ₹849
- GolfBasic Premium Step Golf Tees — ₹190
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Are plastic or wooden golf tees better?
Neither is objectively better. Plastic tees last longer and hold height consistently, while wooden tees are cheaper and biodegradable but break more easily. Choose based on durability preference.
How high should I tee the ball for a driver?
So that about half the ball sits above the crown of the driver at address. This lets you strike the ball slightly on the upswing for better launch.
What length golf tee should I use?
Around 70mm for modern large drivers, and shorter tees for irons and fairway woods. A long step tee can serve both by pushing it deeper for lower shots.
