Every single golfer out there needs golf tees. It is the one piece of equipment, obviously aside from the putter and golf ball, that gets used on every single hole. Well most of us do anyway, only the most confident of ball-strikers sticks a ball down on the ground for a tee shot. But we know what you are thinking, how important can a golf tee really be?
Well, we think they are one of the best golf accessories to get right because maximizing every piece of equipment you use, to make sure it helps you, is vital. For example, we all know players who tee the ball up too high, or too low, and then they wonder why they have skied their shot or thinned it into oblivion. Now there are a number of different types of tees out there so it's recommended that you choose one that is right for you.
Do you want a standard adjustable height tee or do you want a castle or step tee that gives you the same height every time? That's for you to decide. In recent years we've seen sustainability in the tee market with a number of companies offering up bamboo tees, so you can save the environment every time you peg it up. Also, you can now get really cool and colorful designs that offer something a little bit different rather than the classic plastic or wooden design. So what are some of the best golf tees out there? Well, we have put a list together below to help you find the right model for you.
Best Golf Tees
+ Hardwood offers strength
+ Look great
- Custom color choice would be awesome
To start this guide on the best golf tees we have gone for some of the best-looking tees in the game. Perhaps a bit weird to call a golf tee good-looking but for a stand-out golf tee, the Zivisk tees are great, they come in multiple colors, from wood finish to black, to green. With this great variety, these tees really stand out and you will know which tee is yours all the time.
When it comes to the stripes these are not just for looks, they are an indicator of where you want to tee the ball up. So you can remember exactly how high you have your tee, to make sure you have consistency off the tee. The tees come in natural hardwood for those that prefer a more eco approach, however, they do also offer rubber and plastic options too.
+ Virtually unbreakable
+ Well-trusted brand
- Few in the pack
A lot of golfers go for a wooden or bamboo tee for sustainability etc. but sometimes you cannot beat a good plastic tee set, especially for longevity, with most plastic tees you will have them round after round. That is what makes these tees from Callaway so good, as they claim these are basically unbreakable, and we found this to be the case in our testing. Our reviewer used these for over 10 rounds of golf and did not break a single tee, they also said that the overall look and feel of the tee gave him more confidence too.
They have a sharp tip making them easy to get in the ground, and this is handy for clearing out grooves too. We like the variety of colors on offer mixed with incredible durability, so throughout one round, you may only need to carry two tees rather than pockets full of wooden ones.
+ Created for distance
+ Hard to lose
- Only designed for woods
Most of the best golf drivers are created to help you hit it further, but can this be said for tees? Well maybe thanks to this tee. It is designed to help you gain distance, which has been proved in testing by real golfers and robots too.
This tee has a rigid polymer spike paired with a dynamic elastomer crown. The little fingers and the body of the crown can flex when impacted by the driver, this in turn reduces resistance at impact. This causes the ball to launch with less friction and decrease overall spin, which then leads to longer, and straighter drives. So if you are someone looking to find more fairways then these tees could be for you.
+ Well-respected brand for high-quality
+ Lots in a pack
- Tricky consistency
For high-quality tees, we have been a fan of Pride Professional for some time now, as they offer great products of varying lengths, colors, and finishes. The most popular they offer are the yellow Pro Length Pride Professional tees, they are advertised as being for 360cc heads but we find these are the perfect height for modern-day 460cc heads.
These tees can be teed up as high or low as you choose, making them adaptable for any shot off the tee. They offer a pack of 175 in the large offering, which is great for those who break a lot of tees. That being said these tees are strong and well-built so you shouldn't go through them quickly. When we tested these tees we had the same tee for a whole 18 holes, this is probably why they are the most used on the PGA Tour.
+ Sustainable sourced and packaged
+ Impressive durability
- No markings for consistency
For some sustainability is a very important issue, and with golf, there can be some unsustainable options when it comes to tees. That is why Ocean Tee is trying to promote more sustainability in golf, by creating tees and clothing with sustainable materials. They have multiple tee options, you can get a pack of long, short, or mixed tees and they are made from very durable bamboo, which is 2x stronger than regular bamboo.
When we tested these tees we noticed straight away how durable these tees were, you couldn't easily snap these in your hands. When we used these for a round we only got through 2 or 3 tees when normally it could be around 4 or 5 tees. So if you are someone who is looking to make an impact on the environment then these tees are for you.
+ Tees are marked at optimum tee heights
+ Hardened wood increases durability
+ Great value
- Only one color available
For a lot of golfers setting your tee to a consistent height can be an issue. Inconsistent tee height can lead to an off strike off the tee causing a distance drop-off. So for playing your best golf consistently, you need to get the tee setup right so this is where Carver Golf tees step in.
They have added a marker on each of their tees that will allow you to position the ball at the correct height each time they tee it up. Carver is a relatively new brand to golfing so you may not have heard of them but this should change because the gear is good. Carver also has a great range of golf balls available, and they create some great durable equipment with their balls and tees.
+ Massive pack
+ Classic look
- Can take them for granted!
Pride Golf Tee has been the top manufacturer of golf tees since 1950, and this is well-deserved thanks to the quality and performance you get. That is why they are the most used tee on the PGA Tour. They are made using 100% hardwood and each is engineered from the best performance and durability, but it doesn't stop there as they are also fully biodegradable to help the environment too!
This brand is really good and you would do well to stock up on lots of tees and make this the only tee you use, so it is great that they offer a pack of 500 tees. You should not run out of tees for a while with this pack, as there are so many, and because they are so durable you shouldn't have to keep replacing them every round.
+ Sustainable design
+ Unique look
- Green lines appear to just be cosmetic
These tees are designed to be more environmentally friendly, they are created using a specific source of bamboo that is stronger and more durable to last longer. Bamboo is a great resource for this kind of thing as it grows pretty fast, meaning it is a great alternative to plastic for manufacturers.
We find that with bamboo tees they are more durable than normal wooden ones, and they biodegrade so you do not have to go around collecting them up when they snap. Although they do not correct a mishit or an uncontrollable slice, they will help to correct your carbon footprint, and let you have a bigger impact on the environment.
+ Environmentally friendly
+ Donates to charity
- Not that many in a pack
As covered above Ocean Tee is all about sustainability and helping the environment, which goes across all their tees including their mixed pack pictured above. They also look to improve on this aspect by donating 25% of profits to marine protection.
With single-use plastics trying to be slowly made obsolete, we love what Ocean Tees is doing to not only make an impact on the course but off it too. This mixed pack is a great option for those who like to flick between different heights for irons and woods etc.
Another great aspect about Ocean Tee is that they offer golf apparel too, all still made from sustainable materials! If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and still have a strong tee for use then these are great for you.
How we test golf equipment
When it comes to testing golf tees we use the same processes we would for anything else we test. We will use the golf tees out on the course for numerous rounds and in different weather and ground conditions. This gives a deeper understanding of durability, ease of use, and any other factors we pick up on.
Every member of our team at Golf Monthly plays golf regularly and can put tees to the test regularly. We also pride ourselves on the fact that no manufacturer can buy a good review, so all our reviews are honest whether that is good or bad.
How to choose the best golf tees
Picking the right golf tee can be tough and there are numerous factors that you need to think about. As tees get more modern more and more tech is going into them, this can make picking the right tee a struggle so we have a list of what you should think about below.
Course/Club/Shots
First what kind of tee shots do you normally face at your golf course, and what club do you normally use off the tee? For example, if you have a lot of tee shots where the driver is required, or you hit the driver a lot, then we recommend using a longer tee so you can tee the ball up higher. This allows you to hit up on the ball and hit it further. A castle tee is particularly helpful here because you get a consistent tee height every time as well.
Whereas if your course has a lot of short par-3s for example, chances are you will be hitting more irons for your tee shots. That requires a shorter tee so they aren't as difficult to get into the ground, and they won't snap very easily. Being aware of all of this will therefore inform your buying decision when it comes to golf tees.
Strength/Durability
Always think about how strong you want a tee, as this is important in terms of affordability and the environment. If you find that you break tees regularly then you should look at a stronger tee like bamboo or a plastic reinforced tee, this will help you keep more tees for a round and not go through packs of them a month.
Sustainability
Sustainability is important for a lot of people and this doesn't mean you have to sacrifice performance or durability. Some of the best and strongest tees are bamboo and this will help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Color/Design
For some the actual design and color of a tee influence their purchase, so if you want a tee with a bit of pizzaz make sure to keep an eye out for varying designs. Some brands have different colors for different sizes so do not get drawn into a color and end up with the wrong size.
Feel
Some tees will give a different fee to others when you strike through on the golf ball and for that reason it is good to test a variety of tees out before you buy them, to get to grips with what kind of tee suits your swing the best. Wood and plastic both have different feels so try them both and see!
For more advice on the best golf training aids on the market take a look at our guides on the best golf ball markers, the best golf brush and the best golf towels, all essential items you need to have in your bag along with your golf tees.
FAQs
How many tees should you carry in your golf bag?
It's advisable to carry a lot of tees in your golf bag. Running out of tees during a round can be a difficult situation and can mean having to borrow from your playing partners. It is always best to be prepared by bringing tees of all different shapes and sizes with you on the course, to ensure you can play your best golf from the tee with every club in your bag.
What tees do golf pros use?
It is fair to say that golf pros use different brands of golf tee whilst out on Tour so we cannot be specific in that regard. What we are more confident in saying is that most Tour pros tend to use wooden tees because they are durable and reliable so they can be used easily. We also find these tees to often be painted white because this is a color which will not distract the player.
Are plastic golf tees better than wood?
This depends on what you define as better and in what way. For example a plastic tee is better than a wooden tee if we are talking about longevity because they are stronger and less likely to break. Whereas if we are talking about the environment, then a wooden, or even bamboo tee would be better to use. As such this answer would depend on how you are looking at the question.
If you want more buying advice, why not take a look at our guides on the best golf net, or best golf mat as well.
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