best golf tees for beginners: The Tiny Piece of Plastic That Actually Matters

I Used to Borrow Tees From Strangers Until One Day Nobody Had Any, and That's When I Started Taking Tees Seriously

Here's the short version: golf tees are the cheapest thing in your bag, and yet they can quietly ruin a round if you don't have the right ones. I learned this the hard way. For my first few months, I didn't buy tees—I just picked them up off the tee box, or borrowed them from playing partners. Then one Saturday morning, I showed up at a crowded Beckley course with a fresh sleeve of balls and no tees. Nobody had extras. I teed off using a broken twig from the cart path. It went about as well as you'd expect. That was the day I realized that something that costs a few cents per piece deserves a little more respect. My name's Jack Herndon, and I've tested more tees than I care to admit. I buy my own gear, I don't take freebies, and I'm here to tell you which tees are actually worth buying for a beginner, and which ones are just colored plastic that snaps on the first hit.

Why You Should Trust Me on This

I'm the gear obsessive on this site, and I've spent years testing everything from drivers to golf balls. Tees might seem like an afterthought, but I've broken enough of them to know which ones last and which ones are a waste of plastic. I'm not a pro, and I won't pretend that a tee will fix your slice. But the right tee height can actually help you launch the ball better, and a tee that doesn't snap on every swing will save you a lot of frustration. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd toss to a friend on the first tee. And I'll never call you a dummy for not knowing the difference between a 2.75-inch and a 3.25-inch tee. I had to learn that the hard way too.

What a Beginner Actually Needs in a Golf Tee

When you're starting out, you need a tee that does three things: it's long enough to get the ball off the ground, it's durable enough to survive a few mishits, and it's cheap enough that losing one doesn't matter. That's it. You don't need a fancy wooden tee carved from ancient forests. You don't need a brush tee with special prongs. You need a simple plastic tee in the right height for your driver, and maybe a shorter one for irons and hybrids. I recommend a 3.25-inch tee for most beginners, because it gives you room to tee the ball high for the driver and you can push it down for irons. Some players prefer wooden tees because they're biodegradable, but I've found plastic tees last longer and are easier to find in the grass. If you care about the environment, bamboo tees are a good middle ground. I've tried them all, and I keep coming back to a simple plastic 3.25-inch tee.

My Three Favorite Tees for Beginners

I've tested a dozen tee types, and these three are the ones I'd actually buy again. They're durable, affordable, and easy to find in any pro shop or online.

The Champkey Plastic Tees are my default pick. They're cheap, they last forever, and the bright colors make them easy to spot in the grass—which matters when you drop one every hole. The Pride Professional Tee System is also excellent, especially if you like the idea of a tee that gives you the same height every time. It has a little stopper that prevents you from pushing it too deep. The Bamboo Tees are a great eco-friendly option, but they snap more often, especially on cold mornings when the ground is hard. If you don't mind replacing them more often, they're a solid choice. I keep a mix of plastic and bamboo in my bag, but if you're just starting, go with the Champkeys and don't overthink it.

If you want to compare prices, here's a search for beginner golf tees on Amazon. If your budget is really tight, DHgate has cheaper tees, but shipping is slow and you'll have to buy a bigger pack to make it worth it. A 100-pack lasts most beginners a full season, so don't be afraid to stock up.

Three Honest Drawbacks of Cheap Tees

I love a bargain, but I won't pretend cheap tees are perfect. Here are three real frustrations you might run into, and how to deal with them.

1. They can snap in cold weather. Plastic gets brittle when the ground is frozen or hard. I've snapped more tees in March than in July. The fix: keep a few extras in your pocket, and don't force the tee into hard ground—wiggle it a little, or use a longer tee and push it in at an angle. I learned that trick from Earl, and it's saved me a lot of frustration.

2. The bright colors can be distracting. Some players find neon pink and orange tees visually loud at address. If that bothers you, buy white or natural-colored tees. I actually prefer the bright ones because they're easier to find, but it's a personal choice. Don't let a tee color throw off your focus.

3. You'll lose them constantly. It doesn't matter how much you spend—you're going to lose tees. They fly out of the ground, fall out of your pocket, and disappear into the rough. That's why I recommend buying a 100-pack. At six cents a tee, losing ten a round is still cheaper than buying a coffee. Just accept the loss and move on.

How to Choose the Right Tee Height

Here's the simple rule I use: for a driver, you want about half the ball above the top of the clubface. For most beginners, that means a 3.25-inch tee. For irons and hybrids, you want the ball just barely off the ground, so a shorter tee—2.75 inches or less—works better. If you only carry one tee height, go with 3.25 inches and just push it deeper for irons. That's what I do, and it works fine. Don't overthink this. The tee is just there to hold the ball still for one second. It's not a magic wand.

Red flags that mean a tee is wrong for you:

🚩 It's so short that the ball sits lower than the top of your driver face. You'll hit down on the ball and top it.
🚩 It's so long that the ball wobbles in the wind. You need a stable base, not a flagpole.
🚩 It's made of cheap plastic that snaps on the first swing. If you break three tees in a row, switch brands.
🚩 It's so brightly colored that you can't stop staring at it. Your eyes should be on the ball, not the tee.

What to Do Once You've Got Your Tees

The first time you tee the ball high with a good tee and catch the driver clean, you'll feel the difference. It's a small thing, but it matters. The ball launches higher, carries farther, and the swing just feels freer. Then you'll understand why I wrote a whole article about tees. It's not about the tee; it's about the setup. If you want to get the most out of your driver, pair your tees with Maya's driver guide and Earl's stance guide. They'll show you how to set up so the tee does its job. And if you need other gear, the beginner gear hub has everything from balls to bags. Now go tee it high, swing smooth, and watch the ball fly.

Who Should NOT Buy Tees Right Now

If you don't have a driver and you're only hitting irons, you can probably get by with a shorter tee or even no tee at all on some shots. But honestly, tees are so cheap that everyone should have a few in their bag. There's no good reason not to. If you're a complete beginner who's still just hitting the range, you might not need your own tees yet—but the first time you play a course, you'll wish you had them. I'd say just buy a 100-pack and be done with it. It's the least expensive insurance in golf.

And if you're buying tees as a gift for a serious golfer, don't. Tees are like socks—practical, but not exactly thrilling. Get them a gift card or a sleeve of premium balls instead. Actually, scratch that. A serious golfer already has too many tees. You can't go wrong with a gift card.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Tees for Beginners

Where to Go From Here

Now that you've got your tees, make sure the rest of your bag is sorted. My guide on the best golf clubs for beginners covers the big stuff, and Maya's swing basics will get you swinging. If you need balls, check out my best golf balls for beginners guide. And if you want to know which local courses are best for beginners, Earl's Beckley golf courses list is the place to start. Now go hit the first tee with a fresh tee in your pocket and a little confidence. You've got this.

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