Yes, anytime a golfer can tee up a golf ball, they should take advantage of the opportunity. There are several advantages of a teed up shot vs a shot hit off the ground.
For many golfers, there is little doubt when they are hitting a driver or a 3 wood on a par 4 or 5, but there seems to be some hesitation from some golfers about teeing the golf ball up on a par 3.
The logic by some golfers might be that they hit plenty of irons off the fairway and with decent success. This could lead to some doubt on why the tee the ball up on a par 3.
Why Golfers Should Use A Tee on A Par 3
The golfer should use a tee whenever he or she gets a chance for the following reasons:
- Creates a larger margin for error
- Eliminates a chance for a really ugly shot
- Can provide the golfer extra confidence
- Eliminate the variable of uncertain turf conditions
#1: Creates a larger margin for error
When a golfer can tee up a shot, they should do so 99.9% of the time. The less skill the golfer increases the need for a tee. The best golfers probably won’t see a major difference, but the weakest golfers will notice a difference. The extra height off the ground, reduces the need to feel like a golfer has to hit down on the ball and can help eliminate the chunk or the bladed shot.
One thing the golfer should be cautious of is teeing the ball up too high. Too frequently, I see golfers using hybrids or longer irons with their golf ball teed up really high. This changes the natural swing that many have developed and causes the golfer to have to make some adjustment to strike the ball solid.
#2: Eliminates a chance for a really ugly shot
The weakest golfers have a tendency to chunk shots or hit bladed shots. The little extra margin for error created can help eliminate these shots all together. The golfer simply needs to make a smooth swing and focus on just nipping the ground past the ball.
A big divot is not required and allows the golfer to keep it simple and make solid contact.
#3: Can provide the golfer extra confidence
Seeing the ball just slightly above the ground can build confidence in the golfer. They do not have to fear the really ugly and devastating shot and have the larger margin for error. This can free up any tension and allows the golfer to make a better swing. As a result, better shots are hit and the golfer can take that confidence to the next shot.
#4: Eliminate the variable of uncertain turf conditions
When a golfer is playing various courses, there are different turf conditions from course to course. Some might have really short grass on the tee box, while others might not have cut their tees for several days. Using the tee allows the golfer to eliminate this variable.
One other factor is that some tee boxes can become hard and firm from a lack of irrigation or rain in recent weeks. Tying to hit a tee shot from a firm surface can be devastating if you don’t strike the ball pure and crisp.
Next Steps: Test It Out
Of course, this information will work for the masses, but with everything we recommend testing it out if you have some doubts. Over your next several rounds use both methods and track your stats on your results. Somethings you can track:
- What was your intended distance and what distance did you hit the ball?
- What is your proximity to the pin
- When you missed, where was your miss?
- What percentage of greens did you hit in regulation?
- What approach created your highest score?
Track this data and find what is best for your game. At the end of the day, I want you to use whatever is going to provide the greatest amount of confidence, so you can swing freely with little tension. Tracking your stats is one way to ensure you are picking the best method to help you build even more confidence!
One Last Idea: Measure Your Shots
The next time you are a driving range, test both options out and use a launch monitor to measure the following:
- Carry Distance
- Spin Rate
- Launch Angle
- Spin Axis
Do the two different shots (one from the ground and one from the tee) change your variables greatly? Maybe you hit with less spin and carry the ball further off a tee? Or maybe you carry the ball 2 yards further off a tee? When we can measure variables and understand better what is happening on certain shots, we can use that information to our advantage.
We would recommend the Skytrak or Mevo, two great entry level price points for quality feedback and data.
Related Posts
- How to hit irons off a tee
- When you can use a tee in golf
- What golf tees should I play from?
- How to hit your irons pure!
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