Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
The set of tees you choose to play from makes all the difference in the difficulty of the round you play. Different tee boxes are set up to accommodate golfers of varying abilities. As a golf professional, I can tell you that the traditional blue tees that were once made for the pros aren’t what you will find at every course. I’ll break down for you the golf tee box colors meaning and which teeing ground you should be playing from to accommodate your game.
Golf Tee Box Colors Meaning
The traditional golf tee box colors meaning are as follows:
- Blue tees: professional tees
- White tees: men’s tees
- Yellow tees: senior tees
- Red tees: lady tees
Golf tee box colors have not remained consistent through the years. In addition, depending on whether you are playing at a private country club or a public course, the colors can change.
Some country clubs have 6 or more sets of tees in different colors. Many will have the back tees in black and the front tees in purple. The bottom line is that there is no real standard. Instead, check the scorecard and choose a yardage to play from.
How Do I Know Which Golf Tees to Play From
The correct tee box to play from should be based on your skill level and your distance capability. The forward tees are for the shortest hitters; the championship tees are for the longest hitters. In the game of golf, you can base all of this on how far you hit your drive.
Since I drive the ball around 250 yards, I look for a course distance of 6200 yards or so. At one course, this could be the gold tees; at another, it could be the black tees. Here’s a basic chart that can help you understand which tees to play from based on your average driving distance.
| Average Driving Distance (yards) | Recommended Course Length (yards) |
|---|---|
| Under 200 | Under 5,200 |
| 200-240 | 5,200-5,700 |
| 240-275 | 5,700-6,200 |
| 275-300 | 6,200-6,700 |
| Over 300 | 6,700+ |
What Is The Penalty For Playing From The Wrong Tee?
When you do decide on a tee that you want to play form, make sure you tee off from the right tee box each time. Playing from the wrong tee can result in a penalty.
In stroke play, if you play from outside the teeing area (or the wrong tee), you are penalized two strokes, and then you have to go back to the correct tee and play a ball from that position. This is Rule 6.1b in the USGA Rules of Golf.
If you don’t correct your mistake before playing from the text teeing area (next hole), you are disqualified from competition.
Of course, if this is a match with friends, you’ll just have to hear about it a bit and then play from the proper tees.
In match play, the mistake must be corrected by playing from the correct teeing area before the next stroke. If that does not happen, the hole is lost.
When To Change Tee Boxes?
The starting point for a golf hole can have a big impact on scoring. Low-handicap golfers tend to play from the furthest tee back to ensure they get enough of a challenge on the course. If you are playing from a set of tees and not sure it’s the right one for you, here are a few ways to tell.
- Approach Shot Distance: if your approach shots are long and you are hitting hybrid into every tee, it’s time to move up a tee box. For golfers with the opposite problem, hitting a sand wedge into every green, it’s time to move back.
- Handicap Changes: pay close attention to your golf handicap, if it’s getting much higher take a quick look to see if shorter distances could help the issue. Play up for your next round and see if you are more accurate and have an easier time.
- Injury or Change in Ability: for golfers recovering from that torn rotator cuff or issues with mobility. Don’t put it by trying to play the same tees as professional golfers.
The best way to know which tee to play from is to talk to the professional at your country club. They can give you some tips on course management and accuracy. A professional will be honest with you about moving the tees up when it’s time.
Should Lady Golfers Play From The Red Tees?
The red tee markers are the traditional spot for women golfers. However, just as men can change golf tee colors based on their game, so can women. More and more country clubs are adding additional tee markers for female golfers.
Take a look at the scorecard at your course and see how many of the tees are rated for female players.
In the past, it would have just been the red women’s tees, and now there are several options to choose from. The average golf course length you play from should be based on your ability, not on gender.
Tee Box Color Based on Skill Level
The low handicap golfer traditionally hits the golf ball a long way. However, you should be choosing your golf tee box color based more on the length you hit your driver than on your handicap. If you think that handicap is the best way to determine this, here’s a general chart to follow.
I’ll warn you before you sign up for any competition here: I’ve seen plenty of high handicap golfers hit a ball nearly 300 yards. (In what direction is another story!)
| Tee Color | Average Yardage | Average Golf Handicap/Score |
|---|---|---|
| Blue (Back) | 6,500-7,000+ | Low Handicap (<5) |
| White (Middle) | 6,000-6,500 | Mid Handicap (5-20) |
| Yellow (Forward) | 5,500-6,000 | High Handicap (>20) |
| Red (Ladies) | Under 5,500 | Beginners/High Handicap |
Final Thoughts
If you are having trouble deciding if the blue markers, the gold markers, or the neon green ones are best for you, let me know. I would be happy to give you some advice on this topic. I’ve had my fair share of tee box problems to figure out. As a female professional who can drive the ball considerably further than many men, it takes trial and error to find the right tee. Finding the right tee box gives you the best chance of playing your best game. There’s a fine line between a golf course that is too easy and one that is too difficult.
