Master Teeing Off With an Iron Thread

[jamo]

The ball is never actually "pinched" or "compressed" against the ground, so why not use a tee? I tee it up so that it is just off the grass.

[Greg]

I only use a tee if im hitting my 3 wood or driver on a par 4. I used to use a broken tee on par 3's with an iron but now i dont see the point. I would hit a poor iron shot if i use a tee. Ill find the best patch of grass to put the ball on(avoid the already present divots, even moving the ball back a foot or 2 if need be). Ive gotten pretty good at picking the ball cleanly lately with my irons, using a tee causes me to hit my irons thin and make a terrible shot. Use a tee if if works for you but not for me, just setting the ball on a perfect patch of grass much like a perfect lie in the fairway works much better for me. Nicklaus is not wrong of course, but theres no one-size-fits-all solution for every situation in golf.

[saevel25]

I use a tee, its the only time you can so take advantage of it.

[James_Black]

I use a tee, its the only time you can so take advantage of it.

Why is it an advantage?

[Kieran123]

Yup, about 5mm cleared from the ground works for me

[Bump-n-MI]

I am definitely in the minority because I never use a tee with my irons. Why you may ask….I don't use a tee from the fairway and that is where I hit the majority of my irons. Same lie, same swing, and typically the same result. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

[saevel25]

Tee boxes are no uniform, there tend to be divots everwere, even footing can be troublesome on heavily used golf courses. To me the tee equalizes that, you can can be consistant on the height of the ball. Even if the tee is pushed down to just above the ground, or even with the ground, its consistant.

[misty_mountainhop]

Misty,

Mmmm. I'm not an expert (yet!) on bourbon but of those I've tried Mr. Turkey is pretty smooth and I wouldn't think it was 101 proof without reading the bottle....or having one too many and then not being able to get up. Quite like to try their rye (or any rye actually) as well.

Why is it an advantage?

You need it spelled out? Yes, you could tee it too high but you'll look less of a noob than the guy who thinks it's clever to hit it off the deck and then chunks it 50 yards or thins it. There's also no chance what-so-ever of getting anything between ball and clubface at impact. There's simply more margin for error.

[sean_miller]

Tee boxes are no uniform, there tend to be divots everwere, even footing can be troublesome on heavily used golf courses. To me the tee equalizes that, you can can be consistant on the height of the ball. Even if the tee is pushed down to just above the ground, or even with the ground, its consistant.

James said, "I just stub the ground and put my ball on it." which seems to be a very inconsistent practice. I'd say tee it slightly or leave it on the deck.

Tee boxes might appear like good turf, but they get so much abuse (around here) that there are often some sandy sections here and there that you weren't aware of until you've hit the ball. Imagine hitting off an old divot - it feels like that. I've never used square grooves, so if something reduces the risk of grass between the ball and the club (and it's legal), I'll do it.

[iacas]

A broken tee, yes.

[uttexas]

always use a tee when you can. I use a tee for irons and hybrids so the ball is about 2mm above the ground. There was a study on hitting off a tee vs ground with irons. On average, you generate more spin off the tee. They explained that hitting off the ground, you can get more grass between the ball and the grooves.

[golfro]

Why is it an advantage?

its an advantage because by teeing the ball litearlly a millimeter or so above the ground, you can simulate a perfect lie. much more clean contact.

i always use a tee at the tee box, no matter iron, fw, or driver. the height of the tee varies with iron and fw very close to the ground but very very slightly teed up.

[NI4NI]

Yes, I use a tee on all tee shots. I got hundreds one time at a family member's wedding reception (both are golfers so they had golf-themed wedding party favors), so I always have some in the bag. In a pinch, I'll use a broken one.

[James_Black]

always use a tee when you can. I use a tee for irons and hybrids so the ball is about 2mm above the ground. There was a study on hitting off a tee vs ground with irons. On average, you generate more spin off the tee. They explained that hitting off the ground, you can get more grass between the ball and the grooves.

I'll use a tee from now on then.

Thanks

[nevets88]

I've seen Palmer and Nicklaus on video say always tee it up when you have a chance.

I remember in one BO, was it Liverpool? Johnny Miller noticed Woods teed up for a par 3 just a little higher to get more spin on the ball. Woods got more spin than most, although it was side, not backspin. Not sure whether Miller was right, or Woods made great contact.

I usually make it so I just see the top of the tee. So if I tee it up just a tad higher, does that promote more spin?

[WUTiger]

Use a tee on iron shots to get it just off the ground. If teebox is uneven or shaggy, I try to get it above the turf line.

Also, if it's a par 3 and I want to stop the ball quick, I'll tee it up about a quarter-inch, and take an extra club to make sure it spins.

[pittpanther]

I thought the ball is meant to be "squeezed" against the ground at impact.

I think you have received plenty of answers as to why you should use a tee anytime you're in the tee box.

Regarding your point above about squeezing the ball between ground and club, hasn't that idea been de-bunked as a myth?

[jamo]

A broken tee, yes.

Good point. For every club except the driver I just find a broken tee lying on the ground. No need to waste a perfectly good long tee.