How should you determine which tee box to play from?

Welcome to GOLF’s Top 100 Teacher roundtable, where some of the best instructors in the business answer the game’s most pressing questions. The goal? To help your game and lower your scores ASAP.

No matter your age or skill level, you can enjoy the game of golf. However, in order to maximize that enjoyment, you need to play from the correct tee box.

You might see the pros playing from the tips and think you want to play the course the way they do. But in doing that, you’re only hurting yourself and your own enjoyment of the game.

Playing the correct tee box is of the utmost importance. But how do you know which tee box is the right one for you to play from? A group of Top 100 Teachers discuss below.

1. Driver + 7 iron

I always say that you should add your driver and 7 iron distances together. That total should be the average length of the par 4s from the tee box you play from. (i.e. 240-yard driver + 160-yard 7 iron = 400-yard average par 4). —Josh Zander

2. It depends on the challenge

What kind of challenge are you up for? We have a group of members that play the tips once a week. They really shouldn’t based on their ability but they like playing “a different golf course” and being challenged. That’s ok to try from time to time — just make sure you keep pace! —Mark Durland

3. 5 iron x 36

The best way for you to know what tees you should be playing from is to take the average distance of your 5 iron and multiply it by 36. An example would be if you hit your 5 iron 170 yards x 36 equals 6,120. You should be playing the tees around that yardage. —Mike Bender

4. Be versatile

Be versatile and jump around. Weather conditions could change the tees you play from. Move up and play a round one day and then move back and play the next. Changing it up is a great way to get some variety and hit some clubs and shots you normally wouldn’t. —Michael Hunt