Since golf is a competitive and prideful game, most players try to play from farther tees than they really should. While these players might look good playing from the back tees, the fact is that they are slowing down everyone else on the golf course and hurting their own score as well. The USGA, golf’s governing body, has an initiative called “Tee it Forward” that encourages players to play tees based on their drive length rather than age. Even though this initiative might have been rolled out 2 years ago, the amount of players continuing to use the longest tee boxes is astonishing. Chances are next time you go to the golf course you will notice the same thing.
The best way for a player to choose the right tee box is to look at their average distance they hit their driver. The major point of the “Tee it Forward” program is to have players hitting reasonable length shots to the greens rather than ones close to 200 yards away every time. You should tee up where your average drive gives you an approach shot of less than 170 yards. This strategy might seem childish, but you will notice your scores drop and you will enjoy your time more. A general rule of thumb to determine which tee box is right for you is if you hit your driver under 200 yards, play from the closest tee. If you hit from 200-225 the next farthest tee, and so on. When you are hitting 275+ accurately you should be playing the farthest tees back.
While this advice will definitely help on par 4 and 5s, the real improvement will come on par 3s. Golfers who play the back tee box when they really shouldn’t encounter major trouble when they get to a par 3 that is well over 200 yards. These holes are meant to challenge the low handicap players who drive the ball 275+ yards and are able to reach the green easily with a low iron or hybrid. Not only will you feel weird having to pull out a driver on a par 3, the accuracy and trajectory of the driver is not meant to stop a ball on a small green. Rather, by using the “Tee it Forward” program, these par 3s will become easier because you will be hitting with a more lofted club.
| Average Driver Distance | Recommended Course Yardage Tees |
| 300 Yards | 7,150 – 7,400 yards |
| 275 Yards | 6,700 – 6,900 yards |
| 250 Yards | 6,200 – 6,400 yards |
| 225 Yards | 5,800 – 6,000 yards |
| 200 Yards | 5,200 – 5,400 yards |
| 175 Yards | 4,400 – 4,600 yards |
| 150 Yards | 3,500 – 3,700 yards |
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17 Responses
This advice is not for accurate players who hit and drive the ball 240-260.
If you hit 240 – 260 yard drives you have no business playing the back tees. Play the whites.
Great article.
After years of hitting it from the tips, as a now “young” Senior golfer, there are roughly 6 holes on my home course that I can no longer consistently get home in regulation. Although I’m in “morning” a bit for my “demotion”, it is time to move up to the “regular” tees.
I am a 24 handicap. I average 179yds with my driver. Before this season I played from the white tees and never broke 90. I was usually between 95-100. This year I moved up to the gold tees and my scores are on the way down. Early this year mid to low 90s. Lately breaking 90 regularly. It’s a helluva lot more fun shooting for pars and occasional birdies than it is bogies and doubles with occasional pars. One has to swallow your pride a little but the game is meant to be fun.
I’m a 11 handicap,and to this day play tips when ever I can. After reading this article on using my drive distance to judge,which averages around 250,I’ll be moving up a tee.
Par 3 are my hardest holes from the tips,and reading this now makes huge sense why.
I assure myself moving up will drop my handicap down to single digits, don’t want to be that golfer that holds anyone up,thow I golf pretty fast.
Good article thank you
How should golfers be assigned a tee box when playing in a tournament for money? Should all golfers be assigned to the same tee? Should 80-year-olds with high handicaps be on the same tee as 60-year-olds with low handicaps?
Most tournaments are based on your handicap if it’s for money then all are
It’s really an ego thing for so many golfers. They just can’t move up. But after four hip replacements and five shoulder surgeries I can only drive it 180 yards at best. So I moved up to the front tees. It’s great!!! I can get home in regulation if I hit it straight. I don’t lose as many balls and the game is faster. It’s a win for everyone. Thanks , Tee It Forward !
I think if you can get on the green in 3 shots from white tees, play the white tees.
I’m a senior, and often get on the green before the younger longer hitters.
I don’t slow anyone down. on par 4’s less than 400 yards, I can get on in 2 ( sometimes).
The Red tees aren’t for me yet.
Playing from a specific tee should be based on a golfer’s handicap. Scratch golfers to single digit handicaps hit from the tips. Move forward the higher the handicap. 20 plus hit from the forward tees.
Driving distance is a bogus method to determine which tee to play from — some people can hit the ball 300 yards and then waste people’s time looking for their wayward shot. Moving forward would reduce the emphasis on long drives and have the player concentrate on accuracy.
Amen. The challenge is there really doesn’t seem to be an objective standard for which tees to hit from, and most people I ask say it’s a combination of age and handicap. Ok, well…. That sounds great, in theory, but what does that combination look like, in actuality? I suppose I won’t get a specific answer, but you’d think, like the GHIN handicapping system, there’d be a specific system for determining which tees I play from, as I don’t want to play too far back, but also don’t want to cheat the system, or those I’m playing with!
Thank you for this article and the great comments. As a newer, senior golfer, I now understand the difference between Tee boxes.
I play with younger players and moved to the senior tees at 65. Now, at age 77 with back and neck spinal issues, I rarely hit my drives 180 yards and a 7 iron 120 yards. I’m thinking of moving to the red (ladies tees) as even on a short 350 yard hole I’m hitting a hybrid or fairway metal on almost every par 4. Not sure if it’s correct but it’s no fun hitting woods for a second shot on all par 4’s. It seems there have been no considerations given for golfers who are significantly older than 65. If my guys balk, I will retire as I play for fun, no $$ involved. I wonder what your thoughts are and the thoughts of fellow average golfers.
Hi I play golf for fun & play with different friends with different handicaps. I’m 71yr old & drive about 160yds. Some of the friends I play alongside are at the same standard! But will not play on the forward tee boxes. I think the explanation off the tee system is not understood by some (macho men) cheers.
I am 78 yrs old and play from the front tees which are red. They measure about 5200 yds. They are still too long for me. They have gold tees but they just put them barely in front of the white. They seem to have no respect for older players, they don’t even have the gold listed on the scorecard.
All in all good article. Need to define more who should move up not just drive distance. Age and disability should be part of the equation. I’m 76 and have had a total shoulder replacement. Now when I want to move up my partners feel slighted and all move up with me. I say nothing but that not the intent so back to white tee. Their conception is that once in a while I still can hit 200 +. But mostly it170 they can’t comprehend that now a 3 wood to enter the green when they hit an iron. My handicap after surgery has only claimed and honestly there are days that I want to quit. The RCGA and the US GF should say it a rule of where you play.
Simple . Over 70 and or handicapped play forward. But, if you are strong and healthy, are capable with good handicap by all means challenge yourself and keep playing from where you are. Enjoy the game, don’t minimize it for others. That why we have handicaps.
I think the article has generally good advice but as someone already said, it doesn’t account for the lower distance accurate golfer. Most places I go to recommend a distance based on your handicap. Back tees are for scratch, next set for those who shoot in 75 or so, next for those around 80, and so on. I drove it around 225, but if I were to play under 6000 regularly I wouldn’t have a whole lot of fun (though I’d regularly shoot in the 70s). As it is, I play from the set this article says I need a 250 yard drive for, but which is recommended for my handicap (an 8) and challenge myself to break 80 (which on occasion I do). Thx!