Once golfers get past the basics of learning how to hit shots, they start to focus on the details.
It’s easy to get caught up in the details of the game because golf is a very involved game.
Whether you are thinking about the spikes on your shoes or the type of glove on your hand, there is no shortage of details in the game.
One of these details is the golf tee.
You may find it easy to simply grab any bag of golf tees from the shelf, but did you ever think about whether these tees could be impacting your game?
We are here to explain everything you need to know about how golf tees impact your game and whether they make a difference.
Do Golf Tees Make A Difference?
Yes, golf tees can make a difference in your golf game, and players need to carefully choose a type, material, and tee height that will work to give them better results.
The average golfer may see very small differences when choosing the proper tee, but the more experienced players will notice a significant impact when they play with the wrong type of tee.
Tees don’t have to be complicated, but as we know, many golf tee manufacturers have put together products that are so detailed that they almost seem quirky.
There are specialized tees such as martini tees, brush tees, and many other options for those looking to gain a few extra yards.
It’s important to remember that a golf tee is likely not going to help you hit the ball further, but it could cost you a few yards if it is not the right fit.
Keep in mind that you will need to focus on ball speed, an excellent swing, and proper mechanics to hit the ball a long distance—not a golf tee.
However, it’s a good idea to consider the type, material, and height of your tee if you are looking at all the details that could impact your golf game.
1. Type
There are several types of golf tees on the market.
We will look at a few of the most common so you can get a better idea of which would be best for you.
A. Standard Golf Tee
Greenkeepers Survivor Golf Standard Tee, 2 3/4"
The standard golf tees are the ones that you most likely have in your golf bag.
They have a small concave circle at the top of the tee that allows the ball to sit without falling onto the ground.
With the standard golf tee, you will see several different types of materials used, but they are all going to function in generally the same way.
B. Step Tee
Pride Professional Tee System Two Piece Step Tee, 50 Count, 3-1/4 inch (Blue)
A step tee has a thin and a wide area on the tee.
The wide area keeps the tee from being pushed further into the ground.
This makes it so that players can tee the ball at the same height for every shot.
A step tee is often a smart choice for a beginner golfer who is unsure of how high they should be teeing the ball.
C. Brush Tee
BRUSH T Premium Plastic Golf Tees, Unbreakable Innovative Design, Consistent Height, Perfect Golf Gift for Men and Women. Multiple sizes 2", 2.2", 2.4", 3 1/8" - 4 Pack (3 Wood, Driver, Oversize, XLT)
A brush tee does not have the ball sitting in a concave hole; instead, it sits on top of some fibers.
Every company that offers a brush tee will use different fibers.
They will likely also claim that their fiber selection adds yardage to your hit.
All brush tees tend to function very similarly, and they are used to help reduce friction and make it easier for golfers to chop through the ball.
D. Martini Tee
Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Durable Plastic Step-UP Tees (5 Pack), Assorted Colors, 3.25"
The martini tee looks a bit like a martini glass.
These tees have the technology to prevent golfers from inconsistently teeing the ball at different heights.
In addition, the ball sits in a much larger cup and does not fall off the tee easily.
The cup is typically made of a plastic-type material that does not interfere with the way the golf ball is sitting on the top of the tee.
The martini tee is a good choice for beginners or even kids who are learning the game and having a hard time getting the ball to stay in place.
E. Miscellaneous
Each year there are new, revolutionary tee designs that come to market to help players get more distance from their shots.
Yet, in the last few years, nothing has materialized that performs better than a standard tee.
The brush tees are something that players swear by, but it’s interesting to study what the professionals are using.
For the most part, the standard wood and plastic tees are all you will find in the bag of a professional golfer.
2. Material
SAPLIZE Bamboo Golf Tees 150 pcs (3-1/4"), Biodegradable Material, More Durable and Stable, Reduce Side Spin and Friction
Golf tees are typically made of wood, rubber, plastic, or bamboo.
Of course, there are other options, but these are the most common.
Wood tees are standard and popular because they are typically biodegradable.
The plastic tees are lightweight and preferred from a performance standpoint, but many golf courses ask players not to use them because of their environmental impacts.
If all players picked up their tees and put them back in their pockets or the trash, it wouldn’t be a problem.
However, we all know this is not what happens.
Golfers don’t see their tees or they don’t care, so they leave them on the course, and the next morning when the mowers come out, all of that plastic is spread all over the course.
Bamboo tees are lightweight and good for performance and are similar to wood tees in terms of environmental friendliness.
The material of the tee you use will likely become more of a personal preference than anything else, as there are not too many materials that will truly restrict you.
The only thing we recommend is that those with slower swings stay away from wood step tees.
Some wood step tees are relatively thick, and if you don’t have a speedy swing, there is a chance the tee could cost you a few yards.
If you like the step tees because of the help they give with the overall height of the golf shot, then simply use the lightweight plastic kind.
3. Height
The tee’s height is just as important as the material and the type.
If you do not have the ball teed up to the proper height, expect that it could miss the sweet spot of your golf club.
The tee for a driver needs to be high.
With a modern driver having 440cc to 460cc of club head size, the tee can’t be low to the ground.
Some golfers feel like they will get more penetrating ball flight if they tee the ball lower.
This is not the case and can cause you to miss the center of the sweet spot and lose distance.
About ¼ of the ball should be above the top of the clubhead when you have the ball teed high enough.
This rule goes for the woods and drivers.
When you are hitting with an iron off a tee, your goal is to lift the ball slightly off the ground.
Don’t worry about the height of this tee; all it is doing is helping you to get a great lie.
In fact, if you tee it too high, you may hit the ball too high up on the face of the iron, causing a poor overall shot.
The height of the golf tee should remain relatively consistent throughout your round.
If you have a hard time with it, there are step tees you can use or a tee that has colored markings that let you know how far to push it in.
Overall, the height of your golf tee is probably one of the most important factors when setting up to drive; make sure to experiment with where you perform the best.
Do Golf Tees Add Distance?
Golf tees do not necessarily add distance to your game, but they can, at times, cost you distance.
Let’s face the facts on this one and understand that if you want to add more distance to your golf game, you must gain extra club head speed.
Distance in golf is just a scientific formula.
The faster you can swing the club, the further you can hit the golf ball.
Golf tees won’t be able to help you swing the club any further, but there are times that a certain type of golf tee could cost you a few yards.
We mostly see this problem with the slowest swinging golfers or junior players.
Once you have average or above-average club head speed, there is no need to worry about a tee costing you extra distance.
Golf tees should remain lightweight and you should always be able to swing through them on your way through the golf ball.
Do Plastic Golf Tees Make A Difference?
Champ 3-1/4" My Hite FLYtee White/Blue Stripe Golf Tee, 100 Count
Plenty of studies and tests have been done on the plastic tee vs. wood tee debate.
However, what most of the results show is that the tee you play with will not make much of a difference.
Golfers find that the tees, as long as they are lightweight and thin and teed at the proper height, all have about the same ability.
Plastic golf tees are not going to make a huge difference compared to wooden golf tees, but still, many skilled players prefer them.
If you choose a plastic golf tee, look for something that is made from recycled material or is biodegradable.
When you lose one on the golf course, it won’t be that big of a deal.
What Golf Tees Do Most Pros Use?
Pride Professional Tee System, 2-3/4 inch ProLength Tee, 175 count, Natural
Many golf professionals use Pride golf tees (the Professional Tee System).
These are very thin, wooden tees that hold up quite well, and some will even come with markings painted on them to help you identify the proper tee height.
Golf professionals find the more basic and simplistic golf accessories to be best as they don’t like too many distractions while they play.
Conclusion
We hope you now feel a bit more accustomed to what golf tees are the best for your game and how they are going to make a difference.
The best way to see which golf tees you prefer is to test a couple of different types when you play.
Chances are, you will find that there is something that just feels right to you.
Remember that in addition to the type and material, the height of the tee must also be considered.
We also recommend having both a short and a long tee height so that you don’t keep snapping the long tees on those shorter par 3s that you play.
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