Choosing the right tee box is one of the most important decisions you make before a round of golf. It sets the stage for your entire game. If you play from the tees too long, you will struggle to reach the fairways and greens. This leads to frustration, high scores, and slow play.
You might not feel challenged if you play from tees that are too short. This guide will give you a clear answer. The best tees for you are based mainly on how far you hit the ball, not just your handicap number. Here, I will discuss what tees I should play based on my handicap. Just follow now.
What Tees You Should Play Based on Handicap and Driving Distance
Many golfers think their handicap is the only thing that matters. But your handicap shows how well you score, not how far you hit the ball. A key piece of information is your average driving distance. This is how far your driver goes in the air, plus the roll on the ground, on a typical good shot.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) have a program called “Tee It Forward.” This program encourages golfers to play from tees that match their driving distance. The goal is to make the game more enjoyable. The table below is based on this idea. It gives you a great starting point.
A Simple Chart for Choosing Your Tees
| Average Driving Distance | Recommended Total Course Yardage | Typical Handicap Range | Common Tee Color Name |
| 275 yards or more | 6,700 – 7,200 yards | Scratch to 5 | Championship / Black |
| 250 to 275 yards | 6,200 – 6,700 yards | 5 to 15 | Back / Men’s / Blue |
| 225 to 250 yards | 5,800 – 6,200 yards | 10 to 20 | Middle / White |
| 200 to 225 yards | 5,200 – 5,800 yards | 15 to 25 | Forward / Senior / Gold |
| 175 to 200 yards | 4,500 – 5,200 yards | 20 and above | Forward (Women’s) / Red |
| Less than 175 yards | Less than 4,500 yards | Beginner | Junior |
Use this chart: First, be honest about your average driving distance. Do not use the distance of your best-ever shot. Then, find your range in the first column. The second column shows the total length of the course that will likely be the most fun for you. For example, if you hit your driver 230 yards, you should look for a tee box that makes the course play between 5,800 and 6,200 yards long.
The “Tee It Forward” Philosophy: Why the Right Tees Matter
You might wonder why there is so much focus on moving to shorter tees. The reason is simple: enjoyment. The “Tee It Forward” program was created to solve a common problem.
The Problem with Playing from the Wrong Tees
Imagine a par 4 hole that is 450 yards long. A golfer who hits 220 yards would need two excellent shots to reach the green. Their second shot would have to be 230 yards longer than their driver! This is nearly impossible. This golfer would need three or four shots to reach the green on every long par 4. This leads to:
- Frustration: It is not fun to feel like you can never reach the hole in the right number of shots.
- High Scores: Always needing extra shots leads to double bogeys and worse.
- Slow Play: More shots per hole means a longer round for everyone on the course.
The Goal: Play Golf as It Was Designed
Golf course architects design holes to be played with a mix of clubs. A typical par 4 is intended for a driver off the tee, followed by a medium or short iron to the green. When you play from the correct tees, you experience the course the way it was meant to be played. You will use your whole bag of clubs. You will have chances to hit the green in regulation (in the correct number of shots). And most importantly, you will have chances to make birdie putts.
A Better Method: The “Driver + Mid-Iron” Rule
The chart is a helpful guide, but there is a more precise way to choose your tees. This method focuses on the par 4 holes, the heart of any golf course. It is often called the “Driver + Mid-Iron” test.
How the Par 4 Test Works
The idea is simple: On a well-designed course, you should be able to reach the green on most par-4 holes with two good shots. Let’s break it down into steps.
Step 1: Know Your Real Average Driving Distance
Take your driver to the driving range or use a golf GPS. Hit 10 shots when you are warmed up. Throw out the very best and very worst shots. Find the average distance of the rest. This is your number. Be honest with yourself.
Step 2: Know Your Mid-Iron Distance
What club do you hit for a solid, reliable shot from the fairway? For many golfers, this is a 5-iron or a 6-iron. Know how far that club goes on average.
Step 3: Add the Two Numbers Together
Let’s use an example.
- Your average driver distance: 240 yards
- Your average 5-iron distance: 170 yards
- Your two-shot total: 240 + 170 = 410 yards
Step 4: Check the Golf Course Scorecard
Now, look at the scorecard for the course you are about to play. Look at the lengths of the par 4 holes from each set of tees. You want to play from the tees where most of the par 4s are close to or less than your two-shot total (in this case, 410 yards).
The tees are too long for you if the par 4s are mostly 430 yards or longer. You will struggle to reach the greens. The tees might be too short if the par 4s are mostly 350 yards or shorter. The perfect tees will give you a mix of challenges.
The Simple Yardage Multiplier
If you don’t have time to check every par 4, here is a very quick and useful trick. Take your average driving distance and multiply it by 36.
- Example: 240 yards (drive) x 36 = 8,640 yards.
This number, 8,640, is your target total course yardage. Look for the tee box on the scorecard that is closest to that number. This math is a shortcut that golf experts have found works well for most players.
Other Important Factors in Choosing Your Tees
Driving distance is the most important factor, but it is not the only one. A smart golfer will think about these other things before choosing a tee box.
Understanding Course Rating and Slope
You will see two numbers on a scorecard next to each tee: Course Rating and Slope Rating.
- Course Rating tells a scratch golfer (a zero handicap) how difficult the course is. A higher number means a harder course.
- Slope Rating tells a bogey golfer (an average player) how much harder the course is for them compared to the scratch golfer. The average Slope is 113. A number higher than 113 means the course is extra challenging for the average player.
What this means for you: A 6,200-yard course with a Slope of 135 is much harder than a 6,200-yard course with a Slope of 115. If the Slope is high, you might want to move up one set of tees to make it more manageable.
Your Physical Condition and the Weather
Your power can change from day to day.
- Age and Fitness: As we get older, we often lose distance. Moving up to a shorter tee box is okay and smart as your driving distance decreases. This is why there are “Senior” tees.
- Walking vs. Riding: If you are walking a hilly course, you might get tired. Playing from a shorter tee can help conserve energy.
- Weather: The course will play longer if it is very windy or wet. The ball doesn’t fly as far in the wind or roll as much on damp grass. On a tough weather day, consider moving up.
Playing with Your Group
It is common for friends to all play from the same tees. But it is not a rule. Talk to your friends if you are the shortest hitter in your group. It is perfectly acceptable for you to play from a forward tee while they play from a longer one. You will all have a better time if you are playing from a distance that is right for you.
Mistakes to Avoid When Picking a Tee Box
Many golfers have the wrong idea about tee boxes. Let’s clear up some common mistakes.
Mistake 1: “I’m a Man, So I Play the Men’s Tees”
This is the biggest mistake in golf. Tee selection has nothing to do with gender, age, or ego. It is only about distance and enjoyment. Many men would have a much better time playing from the white or gold tees instead of forcing themselves to play from the blue tees. The color of the tee is just a name. Choose based on your game, not on a label.
Mistake 2: “Shorter Tees Are Too Easy and Won’t Help Me Improve”
This is not true. Playing from the correct tees helps you improve faster. Why?
- You Practice Scoring: You will hit more greens in regulation from the right tees. This gives you practice hitting approach shots and making more birdie putts. This is how you learn to score low.
- You Build Confidence: Hitting greens and making pars is fun and builds confidence. Struggling to make double bogeys does the opposite.
- You Learn Course Management: When you are in the fairway more often, you can think about where to place your shot on the green. This is a key skill.
Mistake 3: Only Looking at the Total Yardage
The total yardage of a course is helpful, but you must also look at the individual holes. A course might be 6,100 yards total, but it will not be easy if it has three par 3s over 200 yards long. Always check the scorecard for the length of the par 3s, par 5s, and par 4s.
Your Action Plan: How to Choose Tees for Your Next Round
Let’s put all this information into a simple plan you can use every time you play.
Step 1: Do an Honest Self-Assessment
Before you go to the course, know your average driving distance. If you are not sure, make a good guess. It is better to guess a little short than a little long.
Step 2: Use the 36x Multiplier
Quickly multiply your driving distance by 36. This gives you your target course length.
Step 3: Study the Scorecard
When you get to the course, look at the scorecard. Find the tee box closest to your target yardage from Step 2. Then, quickly scan the par 4 lengths for that tee. Do they seem to match your “Driver + 5-Iron” distance? If yes, that’s your tee.
Step 4: Be Confident in Your Choice
Do not feel pressure to play from the same tee as your friends if it is wrong for you. Tell them, “I will play from the white tees today to keep it fun.” Any good golfer will understand and respect that choice.
The Sign of a Good Round: When you play from the right tees, your scorecard will show a mix of pars and bogeys, with a birdie chance now and then. This is a sign of a good, challenging, and enjoyable round of golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my driving distance and handicap don’t match the chart?
Always trust your driving distance more than your handicap. A player might have a high handicap because they are inaccurate, but might hit the ball very far. This player would still struggle from the back tees because the course is too long. Distance determines the course length you can play; handicap determines how well you will likely score.
Should I always play the same color tees?
No. Every golf course is different. A “white” tee at one course might be 5,900 yards. At another course, it might be 6,300 yards. You must check the yardage for each new course you play. Use the methods in this article for every round.
Is there an official rule for which tees to play?
No. The official rules of golf only cover how to play once you have chosen a tee. The choice itself is a matter of etiquette and personal enjoyment. The recommendations from the USGA and PGA are the best guide to follow.
What tees should a beginner play?
Beginners should always play the shortest tees (often red or junior). Their goal is to learn the game, make contact with the ball, and have fun without too much frustration. Playing from the forward tees is the best way to do this.
How does course slope rating affect my tee choice?
A high Slope Rating (above 120) means the course is especially tricky for the average golfer. It has more hazards, rough, and difficult greens. If you see a high slope number, choosing a tee box that is a little shorter than you normally would be a smart idea. This will help balance out the extra difficulty.
What is the “Tee It Forward” campaign?
As mentioned, it is a program created by the USGA and the PGA of America. Its goal is to encourage golfers to play from tees that match their driving distance. The campaign provides charts and resources to help golfers make better choices. You can find more information on the USGA website.