Golf tees are small but incredibly essential for golfers, providing stability for the ball and delivering perfect shots.
When playing golf, people often focus on golf clubs or golf balls but tend to overlook the importance of golf tees. If you want to understand what golf tees are, the most common types available today, and how to choose the right tee, you can refer to the article below.
What is a Golf Tee?
Curious about golf tees? Wonder no more! Golf tees are small accessories that lift the ball off the ground, providing stability and enhancing the effectiveness of your swings. Perfect for beginners and seasoned golfers alike!

Don't underestimate the importance of golf tees! Despite their small size, they play a crucial role in your game. They're like tiny pillars of support for your ball, ensuring a smooth and powerful swing every time. Image: Golfgroup
Typically standing 2 to 3 inches tall, golf tees are the unsung heroes of the game. With one end planted firmly in the ground and your ball resting atop the other, they create the perfect launching pad for your shots. It's where every game begins – the tee off. Think of it as your golfing kickoff!

Golf tees are the secret sauce for keeping your ball steady above the turf. They're the silent champions of stability, ensuring your ball stays poised and ready for action. Image: Golfcity
Unveiling the Origin Story of Golf Tees
The birth of golf tees is a fascinating tale. According to historical accounts, golf tees were invented by George F. Grant, the first African-American graduate of the prestigious Harvard University. After completing his studies, Grant remained at Harvard as a faculty member while also establishing himself as a renowned dentist.

George F. Grant is the mastermind behind the invention of the golf tee. Image: Pinterest
Acknowledged by the United States Golf Association with a patent for his wooden tee invention in 1889, George F. Grant paved the way for continuous improvements in tee design. Since then, tees have undergone material enhancements, becoming an indispensable accessory for golfers striving for excellence in competition.
Exploring the Variety of Golf Tee Types
Despite their small size, golf tees come in a wide range of styles and materials. Each type of tee has its own advantages and disadvantages, catering to the needs and preferences of many golfers.
Categorizing Tees by Color
Typically, there are four basic tee-off areas on a golf course, each designated by a different colored golf tee.

Tees come in a variety of vibrant colors. Image: timki
Classification Based on Shape and Features
Pyramid-shaped Tees
Pyramid tees are a popular choice among golfers, especially in windy conditions. Their pyramid design ensures a secure grip on the ground, preventing them from toppling over when strong winds blow through.

Pyramid-shaped Tee. Image: Golfcity
Frictionless Tee
This type of tee is made from plastic material. Its biggest advantage lies in better ball stability, reducing friction and thus enabling players to achieve maximum performance with their swings.
Soft Feather Tee
This type of tee is also made of plastic, but the top part of the tee is equipped with a soft feather layer. It's quite suitable for beginners.
The Wonderful Uses of Golf Tees
Securing Golf Balls
The purpose of golf tees is to keep the ball stable above the ground. By using a tee, you won't have to worry about the ball deviating from its fixed position when preparing to hit.

Wooden Golf Tee. Image: Golfviet
Enhancing Ball Striking Performance
Before the advent of tees, golfers often had to stabilize the ball by placing it on high grass or a small mound of sand. However, this method would compromise the shot as the ball would encounter resistance from the grass and the surface of the ground. These issues are completely resolved when you use a golf tee. Your ball striking becomes smoother, and the overall ball striking performance is maximized.

Improving Ball Striking Performance. Image: binhgolf
Aiding in More Accurate Shots
There are many types of golf tees available, each with different sizes. The accuracy of each shot greatly depends on the height of the tee. Therefore, you need to carefully choose a tee that suits your experience and skill level.

Tees will help you achieve more accurate shots. Image: Golffami
Some Things to Note When Using Golf Tees
You might think that using golf tees is straightforward – just stick them in the ground and you're done. However, how deep to insert them and where to position the ball depends on the type of club you're using. Here are some rules to remember:
If you're a beginner, you should also opt for slightly larger tees for easier ball placement.
Despite their small size, golf tees play an incredibly important role, greatly influencing the quality of golfers' shots. Hopefully, the information above will help you choose the most suitable tees, thereby maximizing your playing performance.
Le Trang
As Reported by Vietnam Sports Newspaper
Posted by: Văn Sỹ Lê
Keywords: All You Need to Know About Golf Tees