Find the Correct Tee Box: Honesty Leads to Lower Golf Scores

If you want to set yourself up for success from the very first swing, forget about bombing drives off the “Big Dog” tee just to keep up with your buddies. The secret to lower golf scores often starts before you even pull a club from your bag—it starts with choosing the right tee box for your game.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not about ego, it’s about honesty. Move up a set of tees too soon? You’ll feel like you’re playing mini-golf. Move back too far? You’ll be hacking through the rough, over-swinging, and losing balls faster than your pride can handle.

Let’s break down how to find the correct tee box—without the frustration, confusion, or unnecessary math headaches.

Why the Tee Box You Pick Matters More Than You Think

Every golf course has multiple tee boxes, usually marked by colors like blue, white, gold, or red. These aren’t just decoration—they’re carefully set up to give players of all skill levels a fair chance.

• Back tees (a.k.a. championship tees): Longest yardages, designed for low-handicap players and scratch golfers who can handle 7,000+ yards.

• Middle tees: Perfect for mid-handicap men, long-hitting women, and golfers who can keep it in play but aren’t quite Tour-ready.

• Forward tees: Ideal for beginners, high-handicap golfers, and seniors who want to play smart golf without needing superhero distance.

Choosing correctly means fewer blow-up holes, fewer lost balls, and more realistic chances at breaking 90—or even 80—without resorting to gimmicks.

Don’t Let Ego Ruin Your Round

We all know that guy. The one who struts to the back tees, driver in hand, convinced he’s about to channel Rory McIlroy. Ten minutes later he’s three over par with two sleeves of Pro V1s at the bottom of the lake. Don’t be that guy.

Golf is humbling enough without adding 600 unnecessary yards to your round. Playing from tees that are too long forces you to overswing, builds bad habits, and turns your day into a grind. Remember: there’s no shame in moving up if it makes the game more fun and keeps your scorecard honest.

Quick Guide: Which Tee Box Should You Play?

Here’s a simple way to decide:

• High Handicap / Beginners: Choose tees 1,000–1,500 yards shorter than pro yardages.

• Mid-Handicap: About 500–1,000 yards shorter than the PGA Tour average.

• Low-Handicap Seniors & Women: 250–500 yards shorter than LPGA or Champions Tour averages.

• Scratch / Low Handicap Players: Back tees, same length as the pros.

To put it in perspective:

• PGA Tour courses average 7,200–7,300 yards.

• Champions Tour (50+ pros) averages 6,500–6,800 yards.

• LPGA Tour averages 6,200–6,600 yards.

Now compare your ability to these benchmarks, and choose accordingly.

The Math Trick (For the Numbers Nerds)

If you’re the kind of golfer who actually likes math, here’s the 5-iron formula:

Take your average 5-iron distance, multiply it by 36, and boom—that’s the yardage you should play.

Example:

• 150-yard 5-iron → 150 × 36 = 5,400 yards (choose the closest tees).

• 180-yard 5-iron → 180 × 36 = 6,480 yards.

Easy, quick, and surprisingly accurate—as long as you’re honest about that 5-iron distance.

Rule of Thumb for Tee Selection

If you can’t reach a par-3 in one swing, or you’re struggling to get home in two on a par-4 from your current tees, you probably need to move up. Simple as that.

Remember, the goal isn’t to impress your playing partners. The goal is to enjoy the game, keep pace, and give yourself a chance to write down scores you’re proud of.

Final Thoughts: Honesty = Lower Scores

At the end of the day, golf is about consistency and fun—not trying to prove you belong on Tour. By choosing the right tee box for your skill level, you’ll:

• Play faster rounds

• Score lower without cheating

• Build better habits

• And, most importantly, actually enjoy your time on the course

So next time you’re standing on the first tee, ask yourself: “Am I here to compete with the pros, or am I here to actually break 90?” Pick the tee that gives you the best chance to play your best golf—and leave your ego in the cart.