Nina Caldwell
Golf tees are used to support and elevate a stationary ball prior to striking it with a club. They are usually made of wood or durable plastic and are about 2.125 (5.4 cm) long. The thickness of the tee depends on the type of golf club being used. For irons, the shaft tip diameter is usually 0.370 (parallel) or 0.355 (tapered), while for woods, it is typically 0.335 or 0.350.. Golf tees come in various lengths, such as 2-3/4 inch, 2-1/8 inch, and 3-1/4 inch, with the most common sizes being 2.75, 3.25, and 4 inches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shaft tip size for irons | 0.370″ (parallel) or 0.355″ (tapered) |
| Shaft tip size for woods | 0.335″ or 0.350″ |
| Depth of tee in the ground | No more than 1/2″ |
| Height of tee above ground | 2.125" (5.4 cm) is standard, but longer and shorter tees are permitted. |
| Maximum permitted height | 4 inches (101.6 mm) |
| Materials | Wood (e.g. cedar), plastic, or bamboo |
| Common lengths | 2.75, 3.25, and 4 inches |
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What You'll Learn
Golf tee shaft tip size
Golf tees are used to support and elevate a stationary ball before striking it with a club. The shaft tip size of a golf tee refers to the diameter of the tip portion of the shaft. The standard golf tee is 2.125" (two and one-eighth inches or 5.4 cm) long, but longer and shorter tees are permitted as long as they are no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm).
The shaft tip size varies depending on the type of golf club being used. For irons, the shaft tip size is typically 0.370" (parallel) or 0.355" (tapered). For woods, the shaft tip size is usually 0.335" or 0.350". It is important to match the shaft tip size with the inside diameter of the hosel of the golf club head.
When choosing a golf tee, it is also important to consider the thickness of the tee in relation to the desired tee height. Some golfers prefer thinner tees, while others opt for thicker options. Additionally, the colour and material of the golf tee can be considered, with wooden and plastic tees being the most common types.
The most common tee sizes are 2.75, 3.25, and 4 inches. Golf tees are designed to reduce friction between the golf ball and the tee, allowing for a clean lift-off during impact. This helps to ensure that there is no measurable difference in spin or distance between different tee styles.
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Golf tee length
Golf tees are used to support and elevate a stationary ball before it is struck with a club. They are usually made of wood or durable plastic, with the former being more common. The most common tee sizes are 2.75, 3.25, and 4 inches. A standard golf tee is 2.125" (two and one-eighth inches = 5.4 cm) long, but longer and shorter tees are permitted. The R&A and USGA rules of golf dictate that a tee must not be longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) to be legal.
Golf tees come in a variety of lengths, with 3-1/4 inch, 2-3/4 inch, and 2-1/8 inch being common sizes. Longer tees, such as those measuring 4 inches, are also available. The length of the tee can influence the height of the ball when it is teed up.
When choosing a tee size, it is important to ensure that the golf ball, when teed up, is at least half of a ball length over the top of the clubhead when it is sitting flush to the ground. This will provide a considerable advantage for drive shots. Additionally, the length of the tee can affect the amount of friction between the golf ball and the tee. A traditional tee reduces friction, allowing the ball to lift cleanly off the tee, resulting in no measurable difference in spin or distance between tee styles.
While the length of the tee is important, other factors such as material and thickness can also impact a golfer's performance. For example, plastic tees can bend and lose their strength over time, requiring the golfer to spend time bending them back into shape. Wooden tees, on the other hand, are favoured by pro golfers for their durability and traditional feel.
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Golf tee materials
Golf tees are typically made from wood, plastic, or bamboo. The most common type of wood used is cedar, specifically red cedar, an evergreen conifer grown in the eastern United States. While wooden tees are popular among pro golfers, they tend to break easily, especially when above the ground.
Plastic tees are also widely used, often made from polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are more durable than wooden tees, but they can bend and lose their strength over time. Additionally, plastic tees can be designed with added fillers to enhance flexibility, reduce weight, and decrease their tendency to break.
Bamboo tees are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to their durability and biodegradability. They offer a more sustainable option compared to traditional wooden and plastic tees. Some golfers prefer bamboo tees for their environmental benefits.
Other materials used for golf tees include rubber, clay, corn derivatives, and animal byproducts. Rubber tees are commonly found at driving ranges due to their durability, although they can also be used on courses. Tees made from corn derivatives break down when they get wet, slowly washing away. Animal byproducts are combined with materials derived from skin, scales, bone, and soft tissue to create biodegradable tees that automatically degrade over time.
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Golf tee pros and cons
Golf tees come in a variety of materials, lengths, and styles, and choosing the right tee can make a substantial difference in your game.
Wooden Tees
Wooden tees are the traditional choice for golfers and are often inexpensive, customisable, and biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly option. They are also easily available, with many tournaments providing them for free to golfers. However, they may not be as durable as other materials, and some golfers prefer plain white tees to avoid any distraction when over the ball.
Plastic Tees
Plastic tees are highly durable and can withstand multiple drives without breaking, making them suitable for larger clubheads. They often come with markings to help maintain consistent tee height, leading to improved shot consistency. However, they are not environmentally friendly as they are not biodegradable, and they can bend, resulting in less predictable contact.
Bamboo Tees
Bamboo tees are similar to wooden tees but more durable, and they are also biodegradable. They are becoming a material of choice for many golf manufacturers.
Rubber Tees
Rubber tees are incredibly durable and are often found at driving ranges. They are also reusable, but they can create waste on the golf course if lost.
Brush Tees
Brush tees feature bristle tops that support the ball, reducing friction and potentially increasing driving distance. They are designed to minimise contact between the tee and the ball, resulting in cleaner and more efficient shots. However, they are relatively pricier than wooden and plastic tees, and some golfers might need time to adjust to the different feel.
Performance Tees
Performance tees are designed with specific heights to optimise launch angles and ball flights for different clubs. They often come in sets with varying lengths to suit different clubs. These tees can enhance accuracy and distance control and generally have lines to add consistency. However, they can be more expensive, and some golfers might not notice a significant improvement in their game, especially if their swing technique is inconsistent.
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Golf tee history
The history of the golf tee can be traced back to the 1500s. For around 300 years, golfers would get sand wet and mould it into a mound to elevate the ball slightly off the ground. The original rules of golf from 1744 state that the ball must be "teed" from the ground. Golfers were allowed to go within one club length of the original hole and use elements from the ground to tee it up.
As the game grew, there was a need to separate putting areas from teeing grounds. The first course to do this was St. Andrews when Old Tom Morris redesigned the course. Golfers sought reusable tees, starting with paper, then cork, and rubber. The world's first patented golf tee was invented by two Scots, William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas, in 1889. Their design was a small rubber plate with a raised ball support in the form of upright prongs or a hollow cylinder. This tee sat on top of the ground and was unstable in windy conditions.
In 1892, Percy Ellis of Surrey, England, patented the "Perfectum", the first tee to be placed in the ground. It consisted of an iron spike base and round rubber pegs to hold the ball in place. In 1897, Scottish inventor PM Matthews patented a similar design called the "Vector", featuring a metal spike and a rubber cup to hold the ball.
The first American golf tee was invented by Dr. George Grant, a dentist from the Boston area and one of the first black graduates from Harvard Dental School. Grant's tee consisted of a wooden peg attached to a rubber tube with a cup on top to hold the ball. Although Grant's design was not the world's first, he was credited by the USGA in 1991 as the original inventor of the wooden golf tee. Unfortunately, Grant never promoted or sold his invention.
The first patented and marketed tee was invented by another dentist, Dr. William Lowell, in the early 1920s. Lowell's "Reddy Tee" became the first modern golf tee and the standard even today. It was a simple wooden peg with a flared top that became common practice due to strong marketing efforts. Lowell hired professional golfers Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood, Sr. to promote the product during exhibition matches, and it was soon copied worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
A standard golf tee is 2.125" (two and one-eighth inches = 5.4 cm) long.
According to the R&A and USGA rules of golf, for a tee to be legal, it must not be longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm).
For irons, the shaft tip size or diameter is usually 0.370" (parallel) or 0.355" (tapered). For woods, it is usually 0.335" or 0.350".
