How to Choose the Right Tee Box for Your Game (and Why Pros Sometimes Move Forward)

Why Tee Choice Matters More Than You Think

Most golfers underestimate how much tee box selection influences not just their score, but their confidence, rhythm, and enjoyment of the round. Playing from the wrong tees often leads to longer approach shots, more forced carries, and constant pressure to “keep up” with others who might hit it farther. Instead of making the game fun, it turns it into a grind.

The right tee box creates a completely different experience. It lets you reach greens in regulation more often, use the clubs you’re most comfortable with, and maintain steady momentum from hole to hole.

Even elite players like Bryson DeChambeau understand this. While he’s known for his distance, he’s also been seen moving up to forward tees in practice rounds.

His reason? To reset mentally, sharpen his short-game feel, and keep scoring instincts sharp rather than chasing raw power every round.

Choosing the right tees isn’t about ego—it’s about playing golf that fits your skill level and purpose that day. Whether you’re trying to shoot a personal best or simply enjoy a relaxing nine holes after work, tee selection can make or break how the round feels.

The Distance Myth

There’s a common misconception in golf that “real players” always play from the back tees. Many amateurs believe that moving forward somehow means you’re not good enough.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. The tees you play from should match your driver distance and average approach club into greens, not your pride.

If you typically hit your driver 220–240 yards, you’ll have more fun and shoot lower scores from courses around 6,000–6,400 yards.

Players who hit it 250–270 yards might fit better around 6,600–6,800 yards. Anything longer than that demands consistent long-iron play, something even most single-digit players struggle with.

When you play from tees too far back, you’re forced to hit long clubs into greens that are designed for short to mid-irons. That creates a scoring disadvantage and more mental fatigue over 18 holes.

The idea isn’t to make golf easy—it’s to make it rewarding, giving you chances to execute good shots and build confidence rather than survive every hole.

What Yardage Fits Your Game

One of the simplest ways to choose your tee box is by matching it to your driver distance.

Golf courses are designed with the expectation that players will hit specific clubs into each green based on where they tee off. If you’re constantly hitting fairway woods or hybrids into every par 4, you’re likely playing too far back.

Here’s a general guideline that works well for most golfers:

• 200-yard drivers: Play around 5,200–5,600 yards
• 220-yard drivers: Play around 5,800–6,000 yards
• 240-yard drivers: Play around 6,200–6,400 yards
• 260-yard drivers: Play around 6,600–6,800 yards
• 280+ yards: 7,000 yards and beyond

Of course, these are just benchmarks. Slope rating, elevation, wind, and course conditions can make one layout play longer or shorter than the scorecard says.

The more important factor is what clubs you’re hitting into greens. If every hole demands a long iron or hybrid, you’ll struggle to attack pins and control spin.

But when your approaches are wedges and 8-irons, you’ll see more birdie opportunities and develop stronger distance control with your scoring clubs.

Think of yardage selection as matching your game to the golf course rather than trying to overpower it. You wouldn’t wear shoes that are two sizes too big—so why play from tees that don’t fit your game?

Forward vs. Back Tees: The Practice Benefit of Each

Tee boxes aren’t just about difficulty—they can shape your skill development. Playing the forward tees gives you a scoring-focused round where you’re hitting more wedges and short irons into greens.

That’s ideal if you’re trying to sharpen your distance control, wedge spin, and proximity to the hole. You’ll see more birdie putts and learn how to capitalize on shorter approach shots under pressure.

On the other hand, moving back to the championship tees turns the round into a ball-striking workout. You’ll hit more fairway woods, hybrids, and long irons—forcing you to develop precision from longer distances.

It’s a great way to challenge your mechanics, tempo, and mental toughness without needing to hit the range for hours.

A great habit is to alternate tee boxes from round to round. Play the forward tees when you want to focus on scoring and short-game sharpness, and play the back tees when you want to strengthen your long game and endurance.

Bryson DeChambeau does this in his own way—he’ll play forward tees to practice wedge-heavy rounds where precision matters more than power.

Each tee position teaches a different skill set. The best players use both intentionally, turning tee choice into a training tool rather than a fixed routine.

The Mental Game Advantage

Beyond distance and skill work, tee box choice has a huge impact on your mindset. Many golfers unknowingly set themselves up for frustration by playing tees that are too long.

Starting every hole knowing you’ll need a perfect drive and a long iron just to reach the green adds tension before you even swing. That kind of pressure eats away at rhythm and confidence.

When you move up to shorter tees, you start playing golf from a position of strength. You see reachable par 4s and par 5s where birdies are possible.

You hit more greens, make more pars, and finish rounds with positive momentum. That confidence carries over into future rounds, whether you move back again or not.

Bryson DeChambeau uses this strategy often. Despite being one of golf’s longest hitters, he occasionally plays forward tees during practice to reinforce positive scoring patterns.

Seeing birdie chances builds a stronger mindset, reminding him what it feels like to go low. For everyday golfers, this mental boost can transform how you approach each shot.

It’s not about making the game “easier”—it’s about playing smarter. Golf is as much mental as it is mechanical. Playing tees that let you see and feel success helps you train both parts of the game.

How to Decide Which Tee to Play Each Day

The right tee box can change depending on your goal for the round. Are you trying to shoot your best score, or are you working on specific areas of your game? Start each day with that intention and pick your tee accordingly.

If you’re playing a casual weekday round or want to build confidence after a few tough outings, move forward. This gives you more scoring opportunities and lets you focus on approach shots, short game, and putting—areas that make up the majority of strokes gained in amateur golf.

If you’re preparing for a tournament or competitive event, move back. You’ll get used to the longer yardages and the mental grind of playing tougher setups. These rounds test your patience, pre-shot routine, and ability to recover from mistakes.

Also, consider conditions:

• On cold or windy days, move forward to compensate for shorter carry distance.
• On firm, dry courses where the ball runs out, playing one tee back can make sense.
• If you’re pairing up with players of different skill levels, find a yardage that keeps the pace comfortable and competitive for everyone.

Remember, the point isn’t to play the same tees every time—it’s to choose based on what helps you improve and enjoy the game. Smart golfers use tee boxes strategically, adjusting based on weather, practice goals, or confidence level.

Play Where You’ll Play Best

At the end of the day, golf rewards clear decisions and consistent execution—not ego. Choose the tee box that sets you up for greens in regulation, makeable putts, and positive momentum.

Rotate tees with intent: forward when you want a wedge-heavy, confidence-building day; back when you want to stress-test long irons, hybrids, and fairway woods. That balance builds a complete skill set and a steadier mindset.

Quick decision checklist before you tee it up:

• Goal today? Score low (forward) or challenge/prepare (back).
• Driver carry today? Cold/windy (forward) vs. warm/dry (you can move back).
• Approach clubs on par 4s? Seeing mostly wedges/8-irons (forward) or long irons/hybrids (back).
• Time/pairing/pace? Pick a yardage that keeps the round flowing.
• Confidence level? Need a reset? Play up and stack pars/birdie looks.

When you pick the tee that fits your purpose, you’ll play faster, think clearer, and score better. That’s how you break 90—and stay there.

Golf Practice Plan – What to Do & Not To Do

Wonder why you’re not getting better as fast as you want to be? Here’s your proven system to follow step by step that hundreds of golfers like you are following each month. Our students send us emails frequently praising these practice plans and how much they’ve improved at golf.

Get access to our Break 90, Break 80, Break 70 plan built for all 3 skill levels (Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Golfers).

You’ll learn what to do at the golf course to improve your score and skills and what not to do. Just follow these plans step by step. It’s made easy for you.

Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor