Golf Tees Explained: Your Questions Answered

April 15, 2026

Golf tees might be one of the smallest pieces of equipment in your bag, but they play a role in almost every round you play. From your opening drive to those precise iron shots on shorter holes, the humble tee is a constant companion on the course.

Despite their importance, many golfers rarely think about the type of tee they use. Should you use bamboo or plastic? What height tee should you choose? Do golf tees actually make a difference?

In this guide, we answer some of the most common questions golfers ask about golf tees and explain why bamboo golf tees are becoming the preferred option for golfers around the world.

What Is a Golf Tee?

A golf tee is a small peg used to lift the golf ball slightly above the ground at the start of a hole. Tees are typically used when hitting your first shot on a par 4 or par 5, although they can also be used on par 3 holes.

By elevating the ball slightly, a golf tee allows the golfer to make cleaner contact with the ball, particularly when using a driver or fairway wood.

Although simple in design, the golf tee plays an important role in helping golfers achieve a consistent setup and strike the ball effectively.

What Are Golf Tees Made From?

Golf tees are typically made from one of three materials:

Plastic
Plastic golf tees are durable and widely available, but they can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment.

Wood
Wooden tees are biodegradable but often snap easily, meaning golfers may go through several tees during a round.

Bamboo
Bamboo golf tees offer the best of both worlds — they are naturally strong and flexible while also being biodegradable. Bamboo grows extremely quickly, making it a far more sustainable material than traditional hardwood.

Because of these benefits, many golfers are now choosing bamboo golf tees as a plastic-free alternative.

Why Are Bamboo Golf Tees Better?

Bamboo has become increasingly popular for golf tees because it combines durability with sustainability.

Compared with plastic or traditional wooden tees, bamboo golf tees offer several advantages:

Stronger and more flexible than hardwood tees
Biodegradable, meaning they naturally break down over time
Sustainably sourced, as bamboo grows much faster than trees
Better for golf courses, helping reduce plastic waste left on tee boxes

For golfers looking to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing performance, bamboo tees are a simple but effective change.

Do Golf Tees Affect Distance?

While the tee itself doesn’t add distance to your shot, the height and consistency of your tee setup can influence how you strike the ball.

Using the correct tee height can help golfers:

Launch the ball at the correct angle
Strike the ball from the centre of the clubface
Reduce unwanted spin

This is why many golfers choose castle golf tees, which feature graduated steps that allow you to tee the ball at the same height every time.

What Size Golf Tee Should I Use?

Golf tees come in a range of sizes, and the best size depends on the club you’re using.

Generally speaking:

Short tees (25–38mm) are ideal for irons or hybrids
Medium tees (45–54mm) work well for fairway woods
Long tees (60–70mm) are commonly used for drivers

Many golfers carry several tee sizes in their bag so they can adjust depending on the shot they are playing.

Mixed boxes of tees can be particularly useful because they allow golfers to experiment with different heights during a round.

Why Are Pink Castle Tees So Popular?

If you’ve played golf for a while, you’ve probably seen the famous pink castle tee.

The pink castle tee typically measures around 60mm, with a stepped design that helps golfers achieve a consistent tee height for driver shots.

Because consistency is so important when hitting a driver, many golfers use pink castle tees as their go-to option on par 4 and par 5 holes.

Today, these popular tees are also available in bamboo versions, offering the same consistency but without the plastic.

Are Golf Courses Banning Plastic Tees?

Some golf courses have already started taking steps to reduce plastic waste, including discouraging the use of plastic golf tees.

Courses such as Royal North Devon Golf Club have introduced plastic tee bans as part of wider sustainability initiatives.

While these bans are not yet widespread, many golfers are proactively choosing bamboo golf tees as a more environmentally friendly option.

What Are Personalised Golf Tees?

Personalised golf tees are custom golf tees that can be engraved or printed with a name, initials or short message.

They have become increasingly popular for:

Golf gifts
Corporate golf days
Golf society events
Special occasions like birthdays or weddings

Because they combine practicality with a personal touch, personalised tees are often considered one of the best golf gift ideas for golfers.

Why More Golfers Are Switching to Bamboo Golf Tees

Golf is a game played in some of the most beautiful environments in the world, so it makes sense that many golfers want to protect the courses they enjoy.

Switching from plastic to bamboo golf tees is one of the easiest ways golfers can reduce their environmental impact.

With bamboo tees now available in a wide range of sizes, colours and styles — including classic tees, castle tees and personalised options — there has never been a better time to make the switch.

Plastic-Free Off the Tee

At Green Swing, our mission is simple: help golfers enjoy the game while leaving less plastic behind on the courses we love.

From colourful bamboo tees to mixed boxes and personalised designs, we’re proud to offer one of the widest selections of bamboo golf tees available.

Because sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference — especially when they start right from the tee box.

♻️ Plastic-free off the tee.