The Tee Box - Where the Game Begins!

The Tee Box - Where The Game Begins

The Teeing Ground

The tee box is synonymous with teeing ground, or simply the tee. From a historical perspective, the term teeing ground, or teeing area, is more correct. However, more and more players are using the term tee box or tee. Originally the tee box was a box located beside the teeing ground which contained sand. This sand was used to make a small mound on which the ball was placed before hitting. Now, the box of sand (or a sand/seed mixture) is used to fill in any divot left on the teeing surface after hitting. I prefer to call the area marked off with the tee blocks (see below) the tee box, or tee, and the overall area where we tee off, the teeing ground. And since this is my site, so it will be.

The tee is the designated area in the teeing ground at the beginning of every hole where all players begin play of that hole. It is the only spot on the hole where the players are permitted to use a tee. The teeing ground is often raised slightly from the surrounding area. In some cases it may be placed on a height well above the fairway. This can provide a breathtaking view.

The Tee Area

The tee is a two club-length area within the teeing ground that is defined by the front and outside of the two tee markers (see below). A ball is outside the tee box when all of it is outside the tee box. In other words the ball must be teed up within the two club-length area to begin the play of the hole. It is better to err on the positive side and make sure that the ball is well within the tee area. The player, however, need not be standing within that two club-length area when teeing off.

The Tee Box

Generally, each teeing ground will have at least three sets of tee blocks defining three tee boxes. The tee blocks are different colors for each tee. The number of tee blocks and the colors used are decided by each club. For example, there may be only a single large teeing ground for a hole and the different-colored tee boxes are spaced along the teeing ground. (I have seen one hole which had six different teeing grounds). The colors normally indicate who will play from those blocks. Often blue blocks will indicate the longest distance and be designated as the men low handicap tee. The next longest will be white and be designated the middle handicap tee (men). The shortest will be red and identified as the lady’s tee (sometimes also the senior’s tee). Some courses have adopted the practice of using green tees for seniors, with a distance somewhere between the whites and reds.

Tee blocks are moved around frequently to ensure that the teeing ground does not become severely damaged in any one spot.

Tee blocks can be varied in shape and size as well as material. For example, there is one Nicklaus course where the tee blocks are granite and cut in the shape of small bears (Nicklaus North). Courses can express themselves with the originality of their tee blocks

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