The best place to store tees in your golf bag is the small zippered pocket on the side. Most bags have a pocket that is just the right size for tees. It is often called the accessory pocket or tee pocket. This spot keeps your tees easy to reach without digging through other gear.
It also stops tees from snapping when you move your bag. If your bag does not have this pocket, use the ball pocket, but put your tees in a small pouch. This prevents them from getting lost or poking through your ball sleeve holes.
Why the Side Pocket Works Best?
The small side pocket on a golf bag is designed for small items like tees, divot tools, and ball markers. When you put your tees here, you can grab them quickly between shots. This pocket is usually at the top of the bag, so you do not have to bend or reach far. Tees stored in the main club area can get crushed by clubs or fall out when you take a club out. The side pocket keeps them safe and separate from everything else.
What to Do If Your Bag Has No Small Pocket
Many beginner golf bags, especially cheaper carry bags, skip the small side pocket. If yours is like this, do not worry. You have a few good options.
Use the Ball Pocket with a Pouch
The ball pocket is big enough for tees, but loose tees will slide to the bottom and get lost. Get a small zip pouch or a Crown Royal bag. Put your tees in that pouch. Then place the pouch inside the ball pocket. This keeps your tees together and easy to find.
Clip a Tee Holder to the Bag
You can buy a magnetic tee holder for less than ten dollars. It clips to the top of your bag or the towel ring. This keeps your tees right where you can see them. No digging required.
Use the Glove or Brush Loop
Some bags have a small loop or clip meant for a glove or a brush. You can use this to hold a small tee pouch. It works well for a round or two.
How to Organize Different Tee Lengths?
Beginners often buy a bag of mixed tee lengths. This is fine, but you need to keep them sorted. Long tees for the driver (3.25 inches or 4 inches) and short tees for irons (2.75 inches) should not mix in one pocket. When they mix, you grab the wrong length every time.
Keep long tees in one compartment and short tees in another. If your pouch has one space, put short tees on top and long tees on the bottom. Or use two separate small pouches. This saves you from holding up the group while you pick the right tee.
How Many Tees to Carry?
You do not need a hundred tees. Carry between 10 and 15 total. A good mix is six long tees for your driver, four short tees for your irons and hybrids, and two or three spares. This is enough for a full round, even if you break some. Carrying too many just adds weight and clutter.
Common Beginner Mistakes with Tee Storage
Here are the biggest mistakes beginners make with their tees.
Storing tees loosely in the bag. Loose tees fall out when you walk or drive the cart. They end up on the ground or in the trunk of your carheart.
Mixing tees with balls. When you put loose tees in the ball pocket, they poke through the holes in the ball sleeves. You end up with tees stuck to your balls.
Keeping broken tees. A broken tee is trash. Throw it away immediately. Do not keep it in your bag. It takes up space and serves no purpose.
Putting tees in the same pocket as an alignment stick. An alignment stick is hard and can snap your tees. Keep them in separate pockets.
Tee Storage for Push Carts and Trolleys
If you use a push cart or an electric trolley, you have more options. Many carts have a cup holder or a small tray. You can put a tee pouch there. Some carts also have a clip for a towel or a bag. You can hook a magnetic tee holder on this clip. This keeps your tees right at hand level.
If your cart has no built-in storage, buy a small magnetic pouch that sticks to the metal frame. It holds tees, a ball marker, and a divot tool. Very convenient.
The Best Way to Carry Tees When Walking Without a Bag
If you are just going to the range or carrying only a few clubs, you might not bring your full bag. A small magnetic tee holder on your belt works great. Or put a few tees in a pocket of your shorts. This is better than holding them in your hand, where they can fall out.
How to Keep Tees from Falling Out During a Round?
Tees can slip out of a pocket if the zipper is not fully closed or if the pocket is too shallow. Always check your zipper before you start playing. If your bag has a pocket with a flap instead of a zipper, use a pouch with a drawstring or a zip. A thin tee can slide right under a flap.
If you use a stand bag, make sure the pocket with tees is on the side that faces away from the ground when the bag stands. This reduces the chance of the tees spilling out.
Why Professionals Carry Tees Differently?
Professional golfers often have staff bags with many compartments. They use a small dedicated slot for tees, often near the top of the bag. Some keep a tee pouch clipped to the towel ring. They do not put tees in the ball pocket because that pocket is for multiple boxes of balls. The key for pros is speed. They want to grab a tee in one second without looking.
You can copy this speed by always putting your tees in the same spot every time. Once you get used to it, you will reach for a tee without thinking. This saves time and keeps your focus on the shot.
The Ideal Tee Inventory for a Round
Here is a simple inventory to follow. Copy this for your next round.
- 6 driver tees (3.25 inches or 4 inches)
- 4 iron and hybrid tees (2.75 inches)
- 2 to 3 spare tees of any length
This gives you enough for a full 18 holes. If you break a tee, replace it with a spare. Store all of them in your chosen spot, sorted by length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store tees in the same pocket as my rangefinder?
No. A rangefinder is fragile. If the tees get wedged against it, they can scratch the lens or push on the buttons. Always use separate compartments.
Should I keep tees in the ball pocket if I use a wood tee?
Only if you use a small bag with no other options. Even then, put the tees in a small pouch first. Otherwise, the tees can poke through the holes in the ball sleeves.
Where do professional golfers keep their tees?
Professionals often use a small pouch clipped to the towel ring or a dedicated slot on their staff bag. They keep them where they can grab them fast.
What is the best way to carry tees for a walking round without a bag?
Use a magnetic tee holder on your belt or your pocket in your shorts. This keeps them secure and easy to reach.
How do I store broken tees while playing?
Do not store them. Throw them away as soon as they break. They are useless and can be a hazard on the course. Carry a small trash bag or use the ball pocket for debris if you must keep them until you pass a trash can.