The Ultimate Golf Tee Size Guide: Which Tee Height Should You Use?

Why Golf Tee Size Matters More Than You Think

Most golfers spend hundreds of pounds choosing the right clubs, balls and shoes, yet think nothing of grabbing the first golf tee they find in their bag.

In reality, the height you tee the ball can influence launch angle, spin, strike quality and consistency. While changing tee size won't magically add 30 yards to your drives, using the correct height makes it much easier to strike the centre of the clubface—a key ingredient for longer, straighter shots.

Whether you're new to golf or looking to fine-tune your game, understanding golf tee sizes is one of the simplest ways to improve your performance.

Golf Tee Sizes Explained

Most golf tees fall into one of five common lengths.

Tee Length	Best For
32mm (1½")	Irons and par 3s
54mm (2⅛")	Hybrids and fairway woods
70mm (2¾")	Most drivers
83mm (3¼")	Large modern drivers
100mm+	Long-drive competitions

For the vast majority of golfers, a mix of 32mm, 54mm and 70mm tees covers almost every situation on the course.

Which Tee Should You Use With Each Club?

Driver

A 70mm tee is the most versatile option.

Modern drivers are designed to launch the ball high with low spin. Ideally, around half the ball should sit above the top edge of the driver when it's resting behind the ball.

If you play a driver with a particularly large 460cc head or naturally tee the ball high, an 83mm tee may suit you better.

Fairway Woods

For 3 woods and 5 woods, a 54mm tee is usually ideal.

Unlike a driver, you want to sweep the ball rather than hit dramatically upwards.

Teeing the ball too high often leads to pop-ups or weak strikes.

Hybrids

Hybrids perform best from a very low tee.

A 54mm tee pushed well into the ground allows you to make almost the same swing as you would from the fairway.

Long Irons

Many golfers don't tee the ball enough on par 3s.

Even with a 4 or 5 iron, raising the ball just a few millimetres makes it easier to achieve clean contact.

A short 38mm tee works perfectly.

Does Tee Height Affect Distance?

Indirectly, yes.

The tee itself doesn't create more distance, but better impact does.

The best drives happen when you strike the centre of the clubface with an upward angle of attack.

If your tee is too low you may:

• Hit low bullets

• Create excess backspin

• Lose carry distance

If it's too high you may:

• Sky the ball

• Strike above the sweet spot

• Increase inconsistency

Finding the correct tee height helps you repeat your best swing.

The Biggest Tee Height Mistakes

Using One Tee For Every Club

Many golfers use the same tee for every shot.

Different clubs are designed to strike the ball differently, so one height doesn't suit every situation.

Chasing What Tour Pros Do

Professional golfers constantly adjust tee height depending on:

• Weather

• Course conditions

• Shot shape

• Club selection

  
  

Amateurs should focus on consistency instead.

Ignoring Worn-Out Tees

A damaged tee won't ruin your round, but splintered or bent tees make consistent height difficult.

Quality bamboo tees are durable, biodegradable and easy to replace without filling your bag with plastic.

Bamboo or Plastic?

While both perform similarly, bamboo offers several advantages.

Bamboo tees are:

• Biodegradable

• Strong and flexible

• Made from renewable material

• Less likely to leave plastic behind on the course

For golfers who play regularly, switching to bamboo is a simple way to reduce waste without changing performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf tee size?

For most golfers, 70mm is the most versatile size for drivers.

Should beginners use longer tees?

Not necessarily. Beginners benefit more from consistent tee height than extra height.

Do longer tees hit the ball further?

No. They simply allow you to tee the ball higher when needed.

Which tee is best for par 3 holes?

A 38mm or low-set 54mm tee works well for irons and hybrids.

How many golf tees should I carry?

Around 15–20 tees of mixed sizes is plenty for most rounds.

Choosing the Right Tee

If you're only buying one size, a 70mm bamboo tee is the best all-round choice for today's drivers.

If you regularly play fairway woods or hybrids from the tee, adding a pack of 54mm tees gives you more flexibility and helps you match your setup to the club you're using.

Small details make a big difference in golf. Choosing the right tee size won't transform your swing overnight, but it can make good contact easier, improve consistency and help you get more from every club in your bag.