If you’ve ever stood in the pro shop or scrolled Amazon wondering why a golf bag of 100 tees costs $2.99 while a pack of 10 runs $5.99, you’re not alone.
Most golfers will spend between **$0.03 and $2.00 per tee**, depending on what they buy. But the price tag doesn’t tell the whole story. After years of buying tees for myself and my buddies, I’ve learned that the cheapest option isn’t always the best deal, and the most expensive ones rarely improve your score.
Let me walk you through exactly what drives the cost, where the hidden savings are, and how to pick the right tee for your game without wasting money.
Why the Price Range Is So Wide?
Three main things change the price per tee: the material it’s made from, the length you need, and whether you’re buying in bulk or paying for a brand name.
Material: Wood vs. Plastic vs. Bamboo
- Wood tees – The cheapest. A standard box of 50–100 costs $2 to $4, which works out to $0.02–$0.08 per tee. But wood breaks easily. I usually get two or three uses out of one before it snaps.
- Plastic tees – More durable. A bag of 10–20 runs $3 to $6, so $0.15–$0.60 per tee. They rarely break. Some players hate the feel; I personally prefer them for my driver because they last 20+ rounds.
- Bamboo tees – The eco-friendly middle ground. A pack of 50 costs about $5–$8, or $0.10–$0.16 per tee. Bamboo is stronger than wood but not as tough as plastic. Good for anyone who wants to avoid petroleum-based products.
Length: 2.75‑Inch vs. 3.25‑Inch vs. 4‑Inch
Longer tees cost more because they use more material. But you only need a longer tee if you’re hitting a driver with a big clubhead. For irons and hybrids, 2.75‑inch tees are fine. A 4‑inch pack of 50 plastic tees might be $7, while the same brand’s 2.75‑inch version is $5. Don’t pay for length you won’t use.
Quantity and Branding
Buying in bulk drops the per‑tee price fast. A 500‑pack of wood tees on Amazon costs about $10—that’s two cents each. On the flip side, “tour” branded tees with a logo or a tapered tip often cost $1–$2 per tee. Those are pure marketing. I’ve tested them side by side with store‑brand plastic tees and saw zero difference in ball flight or distance.
The Real Cost of a Broken Tee
Here’s the mistake I see a lot of golfers make: they look only at the upfront price instead of the cost per round. Let me show you the math.
Cheap wood tees: $2.99 for 50. If each tee lasts 2 drives (pretty typical), you’ll use 25 tees per round. That’s $1.50 per round in tees.
Durable plastic tees: $4.99 for 10. If each tee lasts 30 drives (very realistic), you’ll use maybe 2 tees per round (one breaks, one gets lost). That’s $1.00 per round.
Over 20 rounds, the cheap wood tees cost you $30. The plastic ones cost you $20. You save $10 and you don’t have to bend over to pick up broken pieces after every drive. Add in the convenience, and durable tees are actually the better value for regular players.
Do Expensive Tees Actually Help Your Game?
This is the question that pops up in every “should I buy premium tees?” debate. After a lot of personal testing, my answer is: not really.
The USGA limits tee height, and your ball sits on the tee, not inside it. As long as the tee is stable and the right height for your club, the material doesn’t affect spin, launch, or distance. I’ve hit drives off a 5‑cent wood tee and a $2 “performance” plastic tee—same club, same swing, same result on my launch monitor.
What does matter is consistency. A tee that breaks or sinks into the ground on every swing makes it harder to repeat your setup. That’s why I recommend durable tees for your driver and any type of club you use off the tee regularly. But no tee on the market will fix a slice or add 10 yards.
The most expensive tees I’ve seen cost $2.50–$3.00 each, often marketed as “tour‑quality” or “zero‑friction.” They usually come in a fancy box with a warranty. Unless you’re a competitive golfer who loses sleep over a 1‑millimeter height difference, save your money. A $5 bag of 10 plastic tees from any sporting goods store works just as well.
Where to Get the Best Value?
Based on what I’ve bought over the years, here’s the breakdown of where to shop:
- Walmart or Target – Good for single boxes. You’ll pay $0.04–$0.10 per wood tee, $0.20–$0.50 per plastic tee. No shipping cost.
- Amazon – Best for bulk. A 500‑count pack of wood tees for $10 is hard to beat if you go through them fast. Or a 100‑pack of plastic tees for $12.
- Dollar stores (Dollarama, etc.) – Often carry cheap wood tees at $1.25 for 50. The quality is hit‑or‑miss—some packs splinter on the first swing.
- Pro shops and golf stores – Convenient but marked up. Expect to pay $0.50–$1.00 per tee for anything branded.
- Online specialty sites – Great for bamboo or eco options. Prices are comparable to Amazon, but shipping can eat the savings.
My personal recommendation: buy a 10‑pack of 3.25‑inch plastic tees from Amazon or Walmart for about $5. Use those for your driver and fairway woods. Then grab a cheap 50‑pack of 2.75‑inch wood tees for $2 for your irons and hybrids. That combo covers every shot and costs you less than $0.10 per round in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do golf tees cost in Canada?
Prices in Canada are similar to those in the U.S. but slightly higher due to shipping and import duties. A 50‑pack of wood tees runs $3–$5 CAD, and a 10‑pack of plastic tees is $6–$9 CAD. Dollarama has some of the cheapest options at $1.50—just check the quality.
What tees do most golfers use?
Most casual golfers use 2.75‑inch wood tees for irons and 3.25‑inch plastic tees for woods. Plastic is more common for drivers because it doesn’t break. Serious players often buy one durable pack for the driver and cheap wood for everything else.
Where to buy golf tees in bulk?
Amazon is the easiest for bulk. You can get a 500‑count box of wood tees for $10–$12 or a 100‑count pack of plastic tees for $12–$15. Walmart also sells 200‑count packs for about $6. Pro shops rarely offer bulk discounts.
Are bamboo golf tees cheaper than plastic?
Bamboo tees usually cost $0.10–$0.16 each, while plastic tees are $0.15–$0.60 each. So bamboo is generally cheaper than name‑brand plastic but more expensive than bulk wood. They’re a good middle ground if you want durability without plastic.
Do golf tees really make a difference in your score?
Not directly. The tee’s job is to hold the ball at a consistent height. As long as it does that without breaking or moving, it won’t affect your score. The only “difference” is psychological: if you trust your tee, you swing freely. That’s worth paying for, but you don’t need a $2 tee to get that confidence.
Final Word
Many new golfers ask how much do golf tees cost before buying their first accessories. In most cases, golf tees are one of the cheapest items in the game. A pack of standard wooden tees can cost just a few dollars, while stronger plastic versions may cost a bit more.
Some golfers prefer premium tees that promise better durability or consistency, but they are not necessary for casual play. Prices also vary depending on how many tees come in a pack. Whether you shop online or at a golf store, it is easy to find golf tees that fit almost any budget.