4 ways to tell if you’re playing from the wrong tee box

Until recently, I always decided to play from the middle tee box (of the three options), thinking it was the best option for my game. Then I talked to a couple TOP 100 GOLF TEACHERS for that, and they told me to try playing from the front tip.

Naturally, I was a little skeptical. After all, I’ve kicked my tires pretty far, so I’m not necessarily someone who needs to cut course. Plus, there’s a certain perception of playing from the front tip – whether it’s right or wrong.

But I tried it and the results were actually incredible, with me shot 1-over during a recent round in Canadaand then after that at 4-over during another round.

Playing from the forehand has helped build my confidence, forced me to use a diverse set of clubs on approach shots and made me hitting more greens in regulation (a key barometer when it comes to low scores).

Since golf is already hard enough, could it benefit you to play from the front end like me? More importantly, is there any way to determine which machine box is best for your skill level?

GOLF Teacher to watch Todd Casabella helps answer these questions and says there are four factors to consider before heading to the first tee box to start your round. Check out his suggestions below.

Are you playing from the correct tee box? Here’s how to find out

“Most golfers have the goal of one day switching to back tips, otherwise known as ‘tips,'” says Casabella. “However, playing a very long golf course can be more than just challenging, it can change the entire strategy for a particular hole, making that hole play differently than the golf course architect intended – and lead to a round that is less enjoyable for the average golfer.”

Casabella provides a good example of this from his club course, Barrington Golf Club, in Ohio.

“For example, the No. 4 hole on my home course is a medium-length par-4 with a little fairway left—making it a great risk-reward shot,” adds Casabella. “The hole has fairway bunkers in the approximate left landing area (about 220 yards), but the fairway goes downhill, so you can leave yourself with a shot of 100 yards, or less, on green if you take the risk of leaving the tee.”

However, Casabella cautions that any player who comes up short with their tee shot is more likely to experience all kinds of potential danger – such as fairway bunkers, rough or longer fairways.

“If you don’t get your drive, you’re left with a middle iron or so from the fairway bunker to the green,” he adds. “Pull it left and bring it out of bounds in the game. Deliver from the fairway, and you end up with a long approach from the fairway. You have the opportunity to play it safe on the fairway, just to the right of the bunker, but, again, that’s going to leave you with a longer shot.”

While the example hole Casabella gives is a fun tee shot, it’s clearly difficult if you don’t play from the correct tee box and apply pressure to hit a perfect drive to avoid bumping the rest of the fairway.

“If you’re playing the course too long, you’re required to hit driver to the right of the fairway bunkers (accurately),” he says.

That’s why Casabella lists four things to consider when deciding which cargo box is best for you.

1. If you have to remove the fairing and use a wood or hybrid on almost every par-3, you are playing tees that are too long for you.

2. When you only use one wedge on almost every green, you are playing the course too short.

3. If you are not hitting a wedge on half the greens during the round, you are playing a course that is too long.

4. If you can hit all the par-5 holes in two, you are playing the course too short.

Adds Casabella: “Choose the right themes that make the golf course fun to play and the way the architect designed it.”

So if you are stuck in neutral and can’t quite achieve your golf goalsuse Casabella’s advice above to decide whether moving a machine box might help or not. It can help you regain some confidence and, like me, lead to the lowest round of your life.

Voice Caddy VC4 Golf GPS

$129.99

The VC4 is a smart GPS rangefinder that not only shows the distance to the middle of the green, but also provides elevation changes, forward and backward distance, and locates the landing point and gives you the carry distance. Equipped with high capacity battery that can last up to 54 holes. When the battery gets low, it calculates the remaining holes and automatically switches to power saving mode. Fast charging is available via the included USB-C charger.

Buy now

View Product

Nick Dimengo

Editor of Golf.com