I remember the exact moment I got fed up with wooden tees. I was on the fourth hole, already on my third broken tee of the day, digging through my pocket for another one while my playing partner waited. That’s when I ordered the Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Durable Plastic Step-UP Tees (5 Pack), Assorted Colors, 3.25″ — and honestly, I haven’t touched a wooden tee since.
With over 4,600 reviews and a 4.8-star average, these tees have a serious following. But here’s the question I wanted to answer: Do they actually improve your game, or is the hype just clever marketing?
The short answer is this: they’re exceptionally well-built, they eliminate the annoyance of broken tees mid-round, and the consistent height they deliver is genuinely useful.
But not every golfer needs them. If you’re someone who plays regularly and values consistency on the tee box, they’re a smart upgrade. If you only golf a few times a year and don’t mind picking splinters out of the grass, you probably won’t notice the difference.
What Makes the Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Step-UP Tees Different?
To understand why these tees have such a loyal fan base, you have to look past the packaging and actually hold one in your hand. The design isn’t just about being unbreakable — it’s about solving small problems that add up over 18 holes. Let me walk you through the key features and what they actually mean in the course.
The Step for Consistent Height
The most obvious difference is that a little step is molded into the shaft. It sits exactly 3.25 inches from the bottom, and the idea is simple: push the tee into the ground until the step touches the turf, and you get the same height every single time. No eyeballing it. No guessing. No accidentally teeing it up an inch higher on the back nine because you’re tired.
I tested this side by side with wooden tees over several rounds, and the consistency was undeniable. With quality wooden tees, my tee height would drift subtly across a round — higher when I was feeling confident, lower when I was frustrated.
With the Martini, every drive sat at the same height. That might sound small, but for anyone serious about repeatability in their swing, it matters.
Forward-Leaning Design for Less Resistance
The second feature that stands out is the forward-leaning head. The angle is intentional — it reduces the surface area that contacts the ball on the backswing.
The claim is that this leads to less friction, which means the ball sits more naturally and the tee doesn’t flick the ball sideways at address. In practice, I noticed the ball stayed put more reliably compared to standard tees, especially on windy days or when I took an aggressive practice swing.
Independent testing cited by the brand suggests this translates into straighter drives, and while I can’t measure that with lab precision, I can say my right mishits seemed less frequent. Whether that’s the tee or just a good day, I’ll let you decide.
Plastic Composition
Let’s talk durability. The material is a dense, semi-flexible plastic that feels substantial in the hand. It’s not as brittle as some hard plastic tees I’ve tried, which crack after a few drives. It’s also not so soft that it bends permanently.
I’ve put about 30 rounds on one of these tees, and it still looks new. No cracks, no warping, no signs of wear beyond a few scuff marks. That said, “virtually unbreakable” is the claim, and I’d agree — I’ve hit some absolute screamers with it, including a few that felt like center contacts that would have snapped a wooden tee in half.
The Martini just popped out of the ground and landed a few feet away, ready to use again. The only thing that will take these out of rotation is losing them in the rough.
How do the Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Stack Up Against Wooden Tees?
I put together a quick rundown of where these tees land compared to the standard wooden peg. This isn’t a scientific lab test — it’s what I noticed after using both over several months.
Performance on the Course: What I Noticed After 30 Rounds
I didn’t just test these tees on the range. I played with them in real conditions — wet grass, hardpan, windy afternoons, and casual weekend rounds. Here’s where they shone and where they came up short.
Drives: Distance and Accuracy
The claim that these tees add distance is hard to prove without a launch monitor, but I can speak to consistency. The fixed height meant my launch angle was more uniform across the round, and that alone probably saved me a few yards on shots where I would have teed it too low or too high with a wooden tee.
The reduced resistance claim feels real in the sense that the ball sits cleanly and doesn’t get nudged off the tee by accident. If you’re looking for a massive distance gain, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for a small, repeatable improvement in how the ball sits and launches, it’s there.
Durability: The Real Test
After 30 rounds, the same Martini tee I started with is still in play. That’s not an exaggeration. I’ve lost two of the five to the rough, but I haven’t broken a single one. Compare that to wooden tees, where I’d go through at least two or three per round, and the savings add up quickly.
The biggest challenge with these tees isn’t keeping them intact — it’s keeping track of them after your drive. They don’t splinter or snap, so they tend to fly out of the ground and land nearby. I’ve gotten into the habit of watching where they land and picking them up on the way back to the cart.
The Limitation Nobody Talks About
Here’s the truth: 3.25 inches is too tall for most irons, hybrids, and fairway woods. If you’re teeing off on a par-3 with a 7-iron, you don’t want the ball that high. So you still need a stash of shorter tees for those shots. The Martini tees are really designed for driver use only.
That’s not a flaw — it’s just a reality. I keep a handful of wooden tees in my bag for par-3s and tight holes where I’m hitting something other than driver. This is worth knowing before you buy.
Martini Golf Tees DMT007 vs Wooden Tees: Value & Verdict
So after all that testing, here’s where I landed. The value equation depends entirely on how often you play and what you care about on the tee box.
Price Per Tee
Let’s be direct: a bag of 100 wooden tees costs about the same as five Martini tees. On paper, that looks ridiculous. But the Martini tees last dozens of rounds each, so the cost per round quickly flips in their favor if you play regularly.
If you’re out there 50 rounds a year, you’ll go through maybe 150 wooden tees. One pack of Martini tees will likely last you an entire season or more. The math works out in the long run.
Who Should Buy These?
- Frequent golfers — anyone playing once a week or more will get real value from the durability
- Players who hate broken tees — if the constant snapping frustrates you, these solve that problem completely
- Golfers who want consistent height — the step removes all guesswork, which is great for building a repeatable setup
- Fast swing speeds — these tees won’t break, no matter how hard you swing
Who Should Skip These?
- Casual golfers — if you play fewer than 10 rounds a year, wooden tees are perfectly fine
- Players who use irons or fairway woods off the tee — the 3.25-inch height is too tall for anything other than a driver
- Anyone who loses tees constantly — the real enemy of these tees isn’t breakage, it’s the rough
Final Verdict
I give the Martini Golf Tees DMT007 a 9 out of 10. They deliver exactly what they promise: a durable, consistent, well-designed tee that eliminates the frustration of broken wooden pegs. The only reason they don’t get a perfect score is the lack of versatility — you still need shorter tees for non-driver shots. But for the money, these are the best plastic tees I’ve tested. If you play regularly, buy a pack for your driver and don’t look back.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, these tees do what they say they’ll do. They’re durable, they’re consistent, and thousands of golfers swear by them. The real challenge isn’t whether they’ll break — it’s whether you’ll remember to pick them up after your drive. For the price of a couple of sleeves of balls, you can solve the broken tee problem for good. That’s a trade I’ll make every time.
Some FAQ About Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Review
How long does a single Martini tee last?
In my experience, a single tee lasts dozens of rounds if you don’t lose it. I’ve put over 30 rounds on one tee, and it still looks nearly new. The material is dense and flexible, so it doesn’t crack or bend permanently under normal use.
Can I use these tees for irons or fairway woods?
The 3.25-inch height is designed primarily for driver use. It’s too tall for most irons, hybrids, and fairway woods. I recommend keeping shorter tees in your bag for par-3s and holes where you’re not hitting driver.
Do these tees actually add distance to drives?
The distance gain is marginal at best. The real benefit is consistency — the fixed height and reduced resistance help produce a more uniform launch angle. That can translate to better drives over time, but don’t expect a dramatic yardage increase overnight.
Are Martini tees USGA legal?
Yes, they conform to the USGA Rules of Golf. The design doesn’t violate any equipment regulations, so they’re legal for tournament play and casual rounds alike.
What’s the biggest complaint about these tees?
Losing them. They don’t break, so they tend to fly out of the ground after a drive and land in the rough. If you don’t watch where they land, you’ll lose them. That’s the main reason people end up buying another pack.
In this Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Review, it’s clear that these step-up tees stand out for their exceptional durability, consistent tee height, and golfer-friendly design. Whether you’re tired of breaking wooden tees or want a more reliable setup for every drive, the DMT007 offers a practical solution.
While distance gains may vary from player to player, the long-lasting construction and ease of use make them a worthwhile addition to any golf bag. Overall, this Martini Golf Tees DMT007 Review highlights a tee built for convenience, consistency, and value.