Golf courses feature multiple tees to accommodate players of various skill levels. However, many golfers struggle with knowing which tips best suit their game. While you are free to choose any set, choosing the wrong tops can lead to frustration and negatively affect your round. To help make sure you’re playing from the right spot, avoid common mistakes amateurs make when choosing tips. Use these checkpoints to guide your decision and set yourself up for the best possible day on the course.
Golf Club Selection (Hole by Hole)
One of the best ways to analyze which tee box to play is to break the golf course into par-3, par-4 and par-5 holes. Grab your local course scorecard and some knowledge of your last 18 holes and work through this problem hole by hole.
| Type of hole | Very short | Too long | Just right |
| Par 3 | Less than a gap wedge | More than a fairway wood | 6-Iron distance |
| Par 4 | Driver + gap wedge | Driver + fairway wood | Driver + 6-iron |
| Par 5 | Driver + fairway wood + middle step | Driver + fairway wood + 6-iron | Driver + fairway wood + 9-iron |
Par-3 tee selection
A standard golf course has four par-3s. There are usually two about the same distance, then a longer one and a shorter one. Find the two holes about the same distance and determine if that distance is about a 6 or 7 iron shot for you.
The fairway is too short if you’re driving with a wedge on most par-3s. If it takes a hybrid or a fairway wood to reach the green, you need to stick up a tee box or two.
Par-4 tee selection
The length of par-4 holes varies quite a bit, so you need to think about averages here. Golf courses are designed to have a variety of holes, with some being shorter birdie opportunities and others longer challenges to the first.
On an average par-4 that plays from your standard tee box, you need to hit a driver off the tee and then a 6-iron to the green. You’ll have some holes where you’ll hit a great drive and have a wedge inside.
Other times, you’ll be playing a more challenging layout and need your hybrid to reach the green.
However, if you need a fairway wood to reach any par-4, you need to move up a tee box. Conversely, as fun as it is to have a wedge on every green, you may want to move back a bit if that’s your situation.
Par-5 tee selection
There are four par-5s on a traditional golf course. You’ll usually see the pattern you’ve seen with par-3s: two holes of the same length and then one longer and one shorter. Check out the average par-5 distance and determine if you can hit a driver, fairway wood and 9-iron on the green.
If you can do that, the course space is a perfect fit for your game.
For some taller hitters playing from the back fairway, hitting a driver and a fairway wood can mean the par-5 is within two shots.
However, shorter players who try to play from the back too far may need two fairway woods to get onto the green. If so, it’s time to move up and play from a shorter tip.
Best USGA Tees System
The USGA has developed the Best Tees System program to help players select the best set of golf tees for their game. This system is based on the average distance of the 7 iron. Once a golfer determines their average 7-iron distance, they can change the scores they get for each course based on their skill level.
For example, if a 7-handicap golfer has not been a long-time golfer, the recommended tee box may be too short to challenge their game. This is where manual skill level adjustments should occur. You’ll also see this for beginners who can’t break 100 but can hit a 7-iron 180 yards. These golfers need to move up until they can play more consistent golf.
Average men’s golf bag selection
The average male golfer has a 7-iron distance of about 138 yards. Based on the above information about selecting par-3 sets, a reasonable par-3 distance for the average male golfer will be between 145 and 155 yards.
Carrying this over to the par-4 and par-5 holes, we end up with a par-72 course length of about 6,100 yards.
Average women’s golf bag selection
For the average female golfer, a 7-iron flies 100 yards. Par-3 distances must be between 105 and 115 yards. You’ll end up with a total golf course length of 4,438 yards.
When putting this system together, the USGA used information and data from the World Handicap System’s surveys, remote data sets, and posted results. All you need to know on these courses is your 7-iron distance and you’ll find a personalized chart that recommends which tip is best for you.
Moving forward or moving backward?
Now that you have a basic guide to which deck to play from, should you move forward or backward for your next round?
Playing from longer tees will require more strategic shots with lower clubs. You may find yourself with longer irons that get closer to most holes. Your chance of hitting the greens in regulation may decrease, making you rely more on the short game.
Most amateur players are playing from tees that are too far away. It can take the fun out of the game if you’re not smart about which tee to play from.
Choosing the right tee not only makes golf more fun, it also makes it faster. Pace of play is a key factor in this equation. Playing from a distance makes the day less enjoyable for everyone involved.
Final thoughts
If your home course offers multiple options, consider picking up just one box for your next round. According to a USGA survey, “99 percent of PGA and LPGA professionals believe players have a better experience when playing with tips that match their ability.” Despite this, 93 percent of the same pros said it is “extremely common” or “somewhat common” for golfers to play from tees that are too long for their skill level. Moving up can make your circle more enjoyable and improve your overall performance.
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