The golf tee might look simple and unremarkable, but its story is surprisingly rich. This simple peg has sparked inventions, shifted traditions, and even carried outdated labels about who should play where.

As times change, so does the path of golf, and the tee has become more than just a piece of wood or plastic. It represents both the game’s history and its push toward modern inclusivity.

This article will walk you through what a golf tee is, its origin, the types you’ll find today, and more. By the end, you’ll see how something so small can have such a big role in how the game is played.

How the Golf Tee Came into Being 

What is a golf tee? Simply put, it’s the stand that gives your golf ball its first stage. Made from wood, plastic, or other materials, it keeps the ball steady and elevated so your swing connects with more accuracy and power.

Before they existed, players had to get creative. In the early days of the game in Scotland, golfers built tiny mounds of sand to prop up their ball for the first shot of each hole. Every tee shot required a fresh handful of sand, which was messy, time-consuming, and inconsistent. Some courses even kept boxes of sand at each hole so players could scoop what they needed.

The idea of a reusable object came later. In 1899, Dr. George Grant, a Boston dentist and one of the first African American graduates of Harvard, patented what many consider the first golf tee. His design was a wooden peg with a rubber top, simple but effective. Dr. Grant never mass-produced it, so it didn’t catch on immediately, but his invention laid the groundwork.

A few years later, other inventors refined the design into something closer to what we use today: a small peg with a shallow cup to hold the ball. By the 1920s, wooden tees became common on courses and were eventually accepted as standard equipment.

Tee Colors And What They Mean

Courses use color coding so players can find the right starting point quickly. There is no universal rule for color, but some patterns are common enough that they help guide a choice.

Red Tees

These are usually the most forward set on a course. They are often recommended for shorter drivers, beginners, and anyone who prefers a shorter round. Because red tees play closer to the green, they reduce the number of long approach shots and make par feel reachable more often.

White Tees

White tees are the typical middle distance set on many courses. Recreational players who have moderate driving distances often play from white tees. They balance challenge and enjoyment, and they remain the default choice for many casual competitions.

Blue and Black Tees

These are the back or championship tees. They extend the yardage and force players to use longer clubs more often. Players who consistently hit long drives and enjoy a tougher test will head to these boxes.

Gold, Green, And Other Colors

Some courses use gold for senior tees or green for junior tees. Others create their own color system entirely. Always check the scorecard because the same color may represent different yardage at different tracks. Course staff can also help you translate color into actual yardage.

How To Pick The Right Tee For Yourself

Choosing the best golf tee for yourself is simple when you follow a few focused rules. The goal is to make the round fair and fun while matching the course challenge to how far you hit.

Use Driving Distance As Your Guide

Your average driving distance should be the main factor. If you do not know it, use recent rounds or a launch monitor estimate. As a rough guide, a player who averages under 200 yards off the tee will often find forward tees more comfortable. Players hitting between 200 and 240 yards tend to do well from middle tees. Those who regularly clear 250 yards can consider back tees. The exact numbers will vary by course and how penal it is off the tee.

Try A Three-Hole Test

Start one hole forward, one hole at the middle, and one hole back. Note how often you reach the fairway and the club you need for your approach. If a tee box forces you to play a three club longer approach on every hole, that tee is likely too far back.

Factor In Course Setup And Wind

A links-style course or a day with strong wind can change which tee fits you best. Wind that favors your direction can let you play from a farther tee. If the course is narrow and demands accuracy over length, moving forward can keep you out of trouble.

Think About Pace And Fun

If your group wants to keep the round moving, pick a tee that reduces the number of lost balls and long searches. A slightly shorter course is usually faster and more enjoyable for mixed groups.

Adjust For Competition Rules

For formal competitions, consult the events committee or local rules. Many tournaments specify which tees to use. For casual play the emphasis should be on fairness and enjoyment.

Tee Boxes: Where You Start The Game

When golfers say “the tee” they might mean the peg or the teeing ground, the small marked area where each hole begins. For many years, courses labeled those boxes by gender and age. Forward tees were often called “ladies’ tees,” and that reinforced a stereotype linking women and seniors to short hitting.

Today, most clubs use neutral names such as forward, middle, and back, or color codes that avoid gendered labels. Choosing the right tee box affects the whole round: it changes hole yardage, the clubs you use, and how challenging the course plays. The World Handicap System now rates each set separately, so your handicap reflects the tees you actually play. Pick a tee by how far you hit, not by the label.

Modern Innovations

Manufacturers now focus on three clear needs: better performance at impact, more sustainable materials, and bulk or custom options for events. Below are the main innovations golfers should know about.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Bamboo tees are a strong alternative to hardwood and are promoted for being more durable and eco-friendly. They come in lengths suitable for drivers and fairway woods. Some tees aim to reduce plastic waste and offer biodegradable options.

Performance Tees And Step Down Designs

Manufacturers produce tees that reduce friction on impact to help preserve distance. Step down tees are built so the ball sits at a consistent height every time which improves repeatability for many players. FlightPath and similar performance models are marketed to deliver more consistent launch and a small distance advantage.

Brush And Rubber Tees For Specialty Shots

Brush style tees and rubber designs exist for fairway woods and hybrids so the ball rests without a deep cup. These are favored by players who tee up with lower heights or who use fairway clubs from the tee. Some of these tees come with storage cases and ball markers for convenience. 

Sharpen Your Game With Golf Tees Etc. 

The golf tee is an everyday piece of gear that influences far more of the round than many players realize. It sets the height of your launch, affects how far you need to carry to the fairway, and even shapes the pace and fairness of play. Today’s options let you match a tee to your swing and your values. If sustainability matters, bamboo and tree-saver styles are available. If consistency is the goal, step-down and low-friction models deliver. And if branding or events are your focus, personalized bulk orders take the hassle out of logistics.

Golf Tees Etc. specializes in exactly that range of choice. Our catalog includes wooden tees, bamboo, step-down, plastic, rubber, brush designs, and name-brand performance options like FlightPath. Use your yardage as a guide, test a few styles, and choose the tees that make the game more fun for you. If you need bulk supplies or want to try performance options, start your search at Golf Tees Etc.

FAQs

Here are some FAQs about the history, types, and modern innovations of the golf tee. 

What is the difference between tee markers and tees?

Tee markers indicate the limits of the teeing ground and are fixed course markers. Tees are the small pegs used to elevate the ball. Do not move tee markers unless directed by course staff.

How do course conditions or wind affect tee choice?

On windy days, you may prefer a lower tee height to keep the ball trajectory lower. Conversely, a firm fairway and a tailwind may allow you to play from a longer tee. Let yardage and conditions guide your choice rather than fixed assumptions.

Are wooden tees recyclable or compostable?

Yes. Plain wooden and bamboo tees can be composted or broken down naturally. Plastic tees are reusable and should be reused as long as possible; when they wear out, recycle them where facilities exist or dispose of them responsibly.