Tee height by club
Takeaway: The longer and bigger-headed the club, the higher the tee.
| Club | Starting tee height | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | About half the ball above the top of the face | Lets you strike slightly upward and nearer the centre of a tall face |
| 3-wood / mini driver | Low: ball just above the turf, top of ball above the face | Shallower face than a driver |
| Fairway wood / hybrid | About 1/4"–1/2" off the ground | Mimics a perfect fairway lie |
| Long and mid irons | Just off the ground, or press the tee in nearly flush | You still hit down slightly with irons |
| Short irons and wedges | Barely raised, or on a tufted-up patch of grass | Clean contact without the ball sitting up too high |
These are common starting points, not rules. Adjust using the miss chart below.
What the rules allow
Takeaway: Any club, any height up to the tee's 4-inch limit, but only in the teeing area.
- Tee length: a tee must be no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) and must not indicate the line of play.
- Where: you may tee the ball only in the teeing area: between the tee markers and up to two club-lengths behind them. Your feet can be outside it.
- Teeing outside the area costs two strokes in stroke play, and you must replay from inside.
- Ball falls off the tee before you swing: re-tee it, no penalty. If you swing at it and miss, it counts as a stroke.
- Every hole: you can tee up for the first shot on any hole, including par 3s, with any club.
Driver tee height and launch
Modern drivers have large, tall faces: the legal maximum head size is 460cc, and almost every adult driver is at or near it. A higher tee helps you strike the ball on a slightly upward path, which, with the right loft, adds launch and lowers spin. If you are not sure your loft suits your speed, our driver loft guide explains how loft and angle of attack work together. A driver that suits your swing, from our driver buying guide, makes tee height easier to get right.
Fix your miss with tee height
| Miss | Likely tee-height issue | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Ball flies very high and short ("skied"), marks on top of the driver crown | Tee too high, or swinging steeply down | Lower the tee a little; sweep, don't chop |
| Low, running drives off the bottom of the face | Tee too low | Tee higher so half the ball is above the face |
| Topped fairway wood off the tee | Ball teed too high for a shallow face | Lower it to just above the turf |
| Thin iron shots off the tee | Ball teed too high | Press the tee almost flush |
A quick check: put a strip of foot powder spray or a face-impact sticker on the driver face. Ten swings will show whether your strikes sit high, low or central.
Which tee to buy
- 2 3/4" to 3 1/4" tees suit most drivers and players.
- Short tees (about 1.5") are handy for irons, hybrids and woods.
- Step or marked tees help you repeat the same height.
- Any tee over 4 inches is non-conforming and not allowed.
Where in the teeing area to tee up
Takeaway: Use the full teeing area to pick a flat spot and a good angle.
You don't have to tee right between the markers. You can move up to two club-lengths back to find level ground or a better angle. Many golfers tee on the side of the trouble so they aim away from it: if out of bounds is on the right, teeing on the right side lets you aim down the left-centre. Our out of bounds guide explains why avoiding the white stakes is worth a few yards. A forgiving ball can help too; see best golf balls for long distance.
Common beginner mistakes
- Teeing the driver too low out of fear of skying it.
- Using a driver-height tee for irons.
- Teeing in front of the markers. Two-stroke penalty.
- Not teeing up on par 3s. It is allowed and easier.
- Changing height every shot. Pick a height and keep it for a few holes before adjusting.
Frequently asked questions
How high should I tee my driver?
A good starting point is with about half of the ball above the top edge of the driver face at address.
How high should I tee an iron?
Just off the ground, with the tee pressed in nearly flush with the turf.
What is the maximum tee length in golf?
Four inches (101.6 mm), under the Equipment Rules.
Can you tee the ball up on a par 3?
Yes. You may tee up for the first stroke on any hole, with any club.
Is it a penalty if my ball falls off the tee?
No, as long as you were not making a stroke at it. Re-tee it and play.