The more variables you can take out of the equation in golf, the more successful you’re going to be. Consistency is the name of the game, and one way to guarantee consistency is through controlling variables.
One variable that is very easy to control: tee height. Sure, it might seem like a trivial element of the game, but tee height can actually have a huge impact on how you strike the ball with your driver.
Tee height will vary from player to player and change based on what kind of shot you want to hit. However, you should have a consistent tee height for your stock tee shots.
But what is the optimal tee height for your driver? For more on that, we turn to GOLF Top 100 Teacher Trillium Rose.
What’s the correct tee height for your driver?
The first thing you have to consider when searching for the correct tee height is your attack angle. If you have a positive attack angle (i.e., hitting “up” on the ball), you can tee the ball high with little worry. A positive attack angle with the ball teed high is also one of the best ways to hit bombs.
But if you have a negative attack angle, you might not be able to tee it as high. It may seem counterintuitive, but the more you swing down on the ball, the more likely you are to hit pop-ups. And, worse yet, you’ll leave lots of “dummy marks” on the crown of your club.
“For [these golfers], tee the ball lower and work on your angle of attack,” Rose says. “Alternatively, if you tend to hit up on it, you’re going to want a medium or higher tee height.”
In summation, the optimal tee height will vary depending on your swing. If you swing up on the ball, you can tee it high and let it fly. If you swing down on it, you’ll probably need to opt for a little lower tee height.
There’s no one-size-fits all answer to the optimal tee height with your driver. The best thing you can do is head to the range and do some experimenting to find out what works best for your swing.
Need help getting for the right driver for your swing? Visit your local True Spec Golf.
Zephyr Melton
Golf.com Editor
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.
