Bamboo vs Plastic Golf Tees: Which Is Better?

If you've ever stood on the first tee and snapped a plastic golf tee before you've even hit your opening drive, you're not alone. For years, plastic tees have been marketed as being stronger and longer-lasting, while bamboo tees have often been dismissed as the eco-friendly alternative.

But are bamboo golf tees actually better?

The answer depends on what you value. For most golfers, bamboo tees offer the better all-round option.

Spike Golf bamboo golf tees

Durability: Strong enough for hundreds of hits

One of the biggest misconceptions is that bamboo tees are fragile.

In reality, bamboo is an incredibly strong natural material. High-quality bamboo golf tees are designed to withstand repeated use and are more than capable of lasting multiple rounds if they aren't lost first.

Plastic tees may survive more impacts, but they're also more likely to bend, deform or become unusable over time. A well-made bamboo tee tends to break cleanly only after significant stress, which many golfers actually prefer.

For the vast majority of players, durability isn't a deciding factor—because most tees disappear before they wear out.

Performance: No difference to your shot

There is no credible evidence that plastic tees help you hit the ball further or straighter than bamboo tees.

Launch angle, spin and distance are overwhelmingly determined by your swing, the golf ball and the clubhead—not the material your tee is made from.

If two tees hold the ball at the same height, your shot should perform exactly the same.

That means you can switch to bamboo without sacrificing performance.

Better for the golf course

Every golfer loses tees.

The difference is what happens afterwards.

Plastic tees can remain on the course for many years, gradually breaking down into smaller pieces rather than naturally decomposing.

Bamboo is a renewable plant material that biodegrades naturally over time. While no golfer should intentionally leave tees behind, losing the occasional bamboo tee has a significantly lower long-term environmental impact than losing a plastic one.

For golfers who play regularly, making the switch is one of the easiest ways to reduce unnecessary plastic use.

A better feel...

Many golfers simply prefer bamboo.

It has a more natural appearance, feels better in the hand and complements the traditional look of the game.

There's something satisfying about using a simple, well-made bamboo tee instead of brightly coloured plastic that can feel disposable.

It's a small detail, but golf is a game built on small details.

Cost

Price differences between bamboo and plastic tees are usually minimal.

Considering most golfers lose far more tees than they actually break, the lifetime cost is often virtually identical.

When performance is the same and the price is similar, the choice comes down to personal preference.

Are there any advantages to plastic?

Plastic tees do have a few strengths.

• They generally survive more direct impacts before breaking.

• Some feature height markers for consistent teeing.

• Flexible plastic designs can bend instead of snapping.

For golfers who rarely lose tees and want maximum lifespan from a single tee, plastic may still appeal.

However, these advantages are relatively small for the average golfer.

Why We Think Bamboo Wins

Bamboo golf tees deliver everything most golfers actually need.

They provide excellent strength, consistent performance, a natural look and feel, and they avoid adding unnecessary plastic to the game.

When you consider that lost tees are far more common than broken tees, choosing a renewable material simply makes sense.

You don't need to compromise on performance to make a better choice.

Final verdict

If your goal is to play better golf, both bamboo and plastic tees will do the job.

If your goal is to play great golf while making a smarter choice for the courses you love, bamboo is the clear winner.

Strong. Reliable. Renewable.

That's why we've made bamboo our material of choice.