Golf

Golf Tees Explained: Wooden, Plastic, Step and Brush Tees for Indian Golfers

Tees are the cheapest golf kit you will buy, but length and type change how you launch the ball. Here is how to choose the right golf tee.

Instasport

— 3 min read
GolfBasic wooden golf tees in three sizes for driver and iron tee shots

Golf tees explained: small, cheap and surprisingly important

A golf tee costs a few rupees, yet the wrong length can add a pop-up or a low skid to your drive. Whether you play at a driving range in Bengaluru or a club course in Delhi, picking the right tee type and height helps you strike the ball cleanly. This guide covers the main types of tee, how to set tee height and what to buy.

Types of golf tees

Wooden tees

The traditional choice. Wooden tees are cheap, biodegradable and available in many lengths. They snap easily, which is a fair trade for how inexpensive they are. A pack such as the Pride Professional ProLength Wooden Tees (20 pcs) (₹190) or the GolfBasic Wooden Tees (3 sizes) (₹290) is a good everyday option.

Plastic tees

Plastic tees last longer than wood and often have markings for consistent height. They are popular on driving ranges because you can reuse them. The Golf Gear Plastic Golf Tees (3 sizes) (₹210) and the Penguin Premium Plastic Golf Tees (₹340) are examples. Plastic tees can slide on very hard ground, so push them firmly.

Step tees

Step tees have a built-in shoulder or stop, so every tee goes into the ground to the same depth. That consistency is useful if you struggle to repeat your tee height. See the GolfBasic Premium Step Golf Tees (₹190).

Brush tees

Brush tees hold the ball on a bed of bristles that reduce friction at impact. Fans say they help keep the ball on the tee in wind and give a clean strike. The GolfBasic Brush Golf Tees (3 sizes) (₹220) comes in three lengths.

How to choose tee length and height

Under the Rules of Golf, a tee cannot be longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm). Most players use a few common lengths:

  • Short tees (about 40 to 55 mm): iron and par-3 tee shots, where you want the ball just above the turf.
  • Medium tees (about 70 mm): hybrids, fairway woods and many drivers for average swings.
  • Long tees (about 80 mm or more): driver tee shots, particularly with larger-head drivers.

For a driver, a common rule of thumb is to tee the ball so that roughly half of it sits above the top edge of the clubface at address. Hit a handful of balls at different heights on the range and note which gives your best contact and launch. If you consistently skyball it, lower the tee; if you hit low and weak, raise it a little.

Iron tee shots: use a low tee

On par-3s, many amateurs tee the ball slightly above the grass using a short tee, which makes contact more forgiving than a lie in rough turf. Set the ball so that only a few millimetres of the tee stick out of the ground.

Where in India do tee choices matter most?

Hard, dry ground in winter can snap wooden tees and make plastic tees skid. Soft ground after rain is easier on every tee type. Carry a mix: a few long tees for the driver, short tees for irons and a spare brush or step tee if you are experimenting. Our winter golf guide covers other cold-weather tips.

Buying tips

  • Buy tees in bulk for the range; they disappear quickly.
  • Try one pack of a new type before buying a large one.
  • Keep a few tees in your glove pocket, not only in the bag.
  • Pick up broken pieces and used plastic tees to keep the course clean.

Shop the gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the best tee height for a driver?

A common starting point is to tee the ball so that about half of it sits above the top edge of the driver face at address. Test a few heights on the range and keep the one that gives the best contact.

Are plastic tees better than wooden tees?

Plastic tees last longer and are good for repeated range use, while wooden tees are cheap, biodegradable and available in many lengths. Many golfers carry both.

What is the maximum length of a golf tee?

The Rules of Golf limit a tee to 4 inches (101.6 mm) in length.

Read more