Teebox question~

[wubskis]

So uh, pretty simple and I'm already 99.9% sure of the answer, but when I'm teeing up behind the pegs of the colour I'm playing that day, can I go as far behind them in the tee box as I want? I'm pretty sure there should be no reason not to, other than to avoid ground under repair, but if it's all clear, can I go back to my heart's extent?

I only ask because there's a par-3 course I'm playing tomorrow and whilst I'm going for fun tomorrow (and I'll probably end up playing a ball off each tee to practice distance control), the times I've played it with someone and had a little contest I'd like to be able to pick my distances to play shots I'm more comfortable with, e.g. the tee pegs are at 86y but I have a nice full wedge at 95y that I'm confident to hit.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[rebby]

You get two club lengths behind the markers. I don't remember the rule number off hand but I'm sure somebody will post it for you (I would but I need to get going).

[wubskis]

You get two club lengths behind the markers. I don't remember the rule number off hand but I'm sure somebody will post it for you (I would but I need to get going).

Huh, interesting. It's understandable I suppose, to allow turf to repair, but I never figured it'd be set in stone. Clarification with the rule number isn't a problem, I'm sure your word is trustworthy! Thanks for the quick response, too!

[sean_miller]

Huh, interesting. It's understandable I suppose, to allow turf to repair, but I never figured it'd be set in stone. Clarification with the rule number isn't a problem, I'm sure your word is trustworthy! Thanks for the quick response, too!

Yeah, I think that rule was left behind when I started. I thought the ball had to be teed on the imaginary line between the markers. When I finally read the rule, and learned about the extra area to find an even lie that two club lengths provides, it was actually exciting (huge golf nerd).

[wubskis]

Yeah, I think that rule was left behind when I started. I thought the ball had to be teed on the imaginary line between the markers. When I finally read the rule, and learned about the extra area to find an even lie that two club lengths provides, it was actually exciting (huge golf nerd).

Well, I've never really had reason to stray more than about a yard behind the markers until now. I never knew the official ruling (clearly) but I also never thought it would be beneficial to push too far back, whereas playing this par-3 course where the average hole length is about ~110y, with one hole at about ~65y, the margin of error becomes infinitely smaller, and I'd definitely benefit from being able to pick out my preferred wedge distances.

Anyway, you live and learn. Thanks for clearing this all up for me, guys.

[Shripe]

Given that fact (which I also recently realized, after having seen divots taken back behind the imaginary line), unless there's a particularly difficult angle that you need to hit or heavy wear and tear on that line, what's the benefit of teeing back from that line?

[Fourputt]

Huh, interesting. It's understandable I suppose, to allow turf to repair, but I never figured it'd be set in stone. Clarification with the rule number isn't a problem, I'm sure your word is trustworthy! Thanks for the quick response, too!

It isn't actually a rule number, but it's in the definitions at the front of the Rules of Golf:

Teeing Ground The "teeing ground" is the starting place for the hole to be played. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers. A ball is outside the teeing ground when all of it lies outside the teeing ground.

[sean_miller]

Given that fact (which I also recently realized, after having seen divots taken back behind the imaginary line), unless there's a particularly difficult angle that you need to hit or heavy wear and tear on that line, what's the benefit of teeing back from that line?

You just named the two most important ones. Also, I'd been known to hesitate at the outer reaches of the "teeing ground" so that people get confused and move the heck back or at least away from the target line (a topic for another thread).

[wubskis]

Given that fact (which I also recently realized, after having seen divots taken back behind the imaginary line), unless there's a particularly difficult angle that you need to hit or heavy wear and tear on that line, what's the benefit of teeing back from that line?

That's the usual reason I'll move around the tee box on a regular course, but I was just curious as I'm playing an especially short par-3 course tomorrow, which has some holes as short as 80 yards, and was wondering if I could pick out my preferred wedge distances by moving way back in the tee box.

[Fourputt]

Given that fact (which I also recently realized, after having seen divots taken back behind the imaginary line), unless there's a particularly difficult angle that you need to hit or heavy wear and tear on that line, what's the benefit of teeing back from that line?

Say you are dead in between clubs.... you move to the back of the teeing ground and select the longer club. Gives you a slightly better chance of being pin high. That's how I play it anyway.

[B-Con]

As Fourputt pointed out, it's actually just the definition of the teebox. As well, only the ball itself must be in the teebox, the player may stand whereever he pleases.

Rule 11-1:

A player may stand outside the teeing ground to play a ball within it.

[Paradox]

the only two advantages two playing behind the markers is to get a better number for yourself and/or find good ground to take a stance on. I do it all the time for stance reasons and also to get the ball sitting in a good spot thats not all beat up and hardened. Nothing worse than hitting an iron shot on a tee box that feels like its concrete.

[wubskis]

the only two advantages two playing behind the markers is to get a better number for yourself and/or find good ground to take a stance on. I do it all the time for stance reasons and also to get the ball sitting in a good spot thats not all beat up and hardened. Nothing worse than hitting an iron shot on a tee box that feels like its concrete.

Ugh, there are so many tee boxes around here that are diamondesque in their hardness. It is nigh on impossible to actually get a tee more than 1/4" into the ground at some of the local courses.

[Paradox]

Ugh, there are so many tee boxes around here that are diamondesque in their hardness. It is nigh on impossible to actually get a tee more than 1/4" into the ground at some of the local courses.

I use my hybrid off the tee a lot so I must tee pretty low. Some of the boxes today I would have needed a hammer to get a full length(3inch) tee down far enough.

[wubskis]

I use my hybrid off the tee a lot so I must tee pretty low. Some of the boxes today I would have needed a hammer to get a full length(3inch) tee down far enough.

I'm playing without a driver right now, so I'm never teeing up higher than about 3/4". Needless to say, I spend a lot of time hunched over on the tee box.