To many golfers, a golf tee seems like an accessory; a small peg in the ground that lifts the ball slightly off the turf. Hence, from seasoned professionals to casual weekend players, many often overlook the role of the golf tee in their game.

Tee is not a minor piece of equipment, and can actually make or break your game. Golf tees vary in material, height, and design, and these variations can influence how a golf ball launches off the clubface, the consistency of strikes, and the trajectory and spin of the ball.

Something seemingly as inconsequential as a tee can affect distance, accuracy, and overall game control. In this article, we will talk more about the mechanics of it all, i.e. the types of tees, and how they impact launch conditions and ball flight.

What are Golf Tees?

Golf tees are essential tools in the game of golf, serving as the initial point of contact for the golf ball at the start of each hole. They typically measure about 2 to 4 inches in length, which helps slightly elevate the ball above the ground, creating a consistent and stable platform for striking the ball cleanly. 

By lifting the ball off the turf, tees help reduce interference from the ground, allowing golfers to achieve a cleaner strike and a more predictable ball flight.

Tees are used exclusively on the first stroke of every hole, commonly referred to as the tee shot. While many players may see them as a simple accessory, the choice of golf tee can subtly influence launch conditions and impact the consistency of each shot. 

A wide range of golf tees is available, each offering different materials, shapes, and sizes to suit various playing styles and preferences. Let’s discuss:

Wooden Tees

Wooden tees are the traditional and most common type of golf tee. They are typically made from hardwood, such as birch or maple, and are known for their classic design and straightforward functionality. Wooden tees are generally inexpensive and biodegradable, making them a popular choice among golfers. 

However, they can be prone to breaking, especially for players with a powerful swing or when used with drivers.

Plastic Tees

Plastic tees have gained popularity for their durability and resistance to breakage. These tees are often designed with added flexibility, allowing them to withstand repeated use. Many plastic tees include features such as reinforced tips or special coatings to reduce friction and help promote a smoother launch. 

While they may not have the same natural feel as wooden tees, their resilience and longevity appeal to players looking for consistency and value.

Composite and Performance Tees

Composite tees, sometimes known as performance tees, combine advanced materials like rubber, plastic, and synthetic blends to create a more durable and flexible design. These tees often feature unique shapes or textured surfaces that are engineered to reduce friction and resistance at impact. 

Many composite tees also aim to minimize spin or promote specific ball flights, making them a favored choice for players seeking fine-tuned performance.

Brush Tees

Brush tees represent a more innovative design, incorporating bristle-like structures to support the golf ball. The brush-style cup reduces contact between the tee and the ball, potentially leading to lower spin and a cleaner launch. 

Brush tees are especially popular among players interested in minimizing friction and maximizing distance, although they tend to be more expensive and less commonly used.

Varying Heights and Speciality Tees

Golf tees come in a range of heights, from short tees (around 1.5 to 2 inches) for irons and fairway woods to longer tees (about 3 to 4 inches) for drivers. 

Specialty tees, such as anti-slice or low-spin tees, are designed with unique shapes and materials intended to help golfers address specific challenges in their game, such as reducing side spin or increasing launch angle.

How Do Golf Tees Make a Difference?

Despite their small size, golf tees can influence a number of key performance factors in the game. From launch angle and ball spin to strike consistency and even durability of equipment, the choice of tee can impact shot outcomes in measurable ways.

Here’s a breakdown of the main factors associated with tees that can make a difference in your game:

Launch Angle and Height

The height of the tee directly influences the launch angle of the golf ball. Longer tees elevate the ball higher, enabling the clubface of a driver to strike the ball with an upward angle of attack. 

This can result in higher ball flights and greater carry distances. Conversely, shorter tees reduce the launch angle, which can be advantageous when using fairway woods or irons, or when playing in windy conditions to keep the ball flight lower.

The material and design of the tee also come into play. For instance, brush tees and performance tees with minimal resistance can enhance launch conditions by allowing the clubhead to make cleaner contact with the ball. 

While a traditional wooden tee may break or deform under a powerful strike, a plastic or composite tee can maintain a consistent height across multiple swings, offering more uniform launch conditions.

Spin Rate

Spin is a crucial factor in determining the control and distance of a golf shot. Excessive backspin can reduce roll-out and result in shorter distances, while too little spin can affect the ball’s stability in flight.

Some performance tees are engineered to reduce spin by minimizing the friction and resistance between the clubface and the tee at impact. 

Brush tees and composite tees, for example, often create less interference at contact, which can help reduce unwanted spin and produce a more controlled ball flight.

Impact Consistency

A key advantage of using a tee is the ability to create a consistent starting position for every shot. However, the durability and stability of the tee itself also influence consistency. 

Wooden tees, while classic, are more susceptible to breaking or shifting after impact, which may cause subtle variations in ball height and launch angle from one shot to the next.

Plastic and composite tees, by contrast, are designed to maintain their shape and height for multiple shots. This durability allows players to repeat their setup and swing with confidence, leading to more predictable performance and greater consistency throughout a round.

Distance

Distance off the tee is one of the most sought-after aspects of driving performance. Tees that minimize friction and allow for optimal launch conditions can contribute to longer shots. 

Brush tees, for example, have been promoted for their ability to reduce resistance at impact, potentially translating to higher clubhead speeds and longer drives.

Furthermore, consistent tee height is critical for maximizing distance. If a golfer repeatedly tees the ball too low or too high, they may not achieve the desired launch conditions, leading to inefficient energy transfer and reduced carry. 

Performance tees with markings or fixed heights help players achieve optimal tee heights consistently, supporting maximum distance potential.

Directional Control and Accuracy

Beyond distance and launch, the type of tee can also influence directional control and shot accuracy. Tees that reduce spin can help mitigate unwanted sidespin, which can contribute to hooks or slices. 

Anti-slice tees, for example, are specifically shaped to limit sidespin and keep the ball traveling straighter.

Moreover, the stability of the tee at impact can affect how much the ball is influenced by unintended tilting or movement. Wooden tees that splinter or deform upon impact may introduce slight variations in the ball’s initial direction. 

In contrast, more durable composite tees maintain their integrity, providing a more stable platform for improved directional control.

Durability and Environmental Impact

While not directly tied to performance, the durability of a tee affects a golfer’s routine and environmental impact. 

Wooden tees, though biodegradable, tend to break easily and require frequent replacement. Plastic and composite tees offer greater longevity, which can reduce waste and contribute to more sustainable practices over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are five impact factors of golf?

In golf, impact factors refer to the way a club strikes a ball, as well as special characteristics of a clubhead’s motion, all of which directly affect the ball’s flight distance, accuracy, and trajectory. 

Here are five main impact factors of golf:

• Clubhead speed: Determines how far the ball travels

• Launch angle: Affects ball trajectory and carry distance

• Spin rate: Influences ball flight and control

• Strike quality: Impacts distance and accuracy

• Tee height and resistance: Affects launch conditions and consistency.

Does a higher tee produce more distance?

A higher tee can contribute to more distance, particularly with drivers. Elevating the ball allows the clubface to strike it on the optimal launch angle, increasing carry distance. However, the benefits depend on the player’s swing speed and technique. 

While a higher tee can promote a higher launch and lower spin for more distance, overly high tees may cause mishits. Proper tee height should be based on club type and swing style for best results.