Where To Tee Up

[Region3]

A lot of the time I tee up where either I have good footing for my feet, or wherever I can find a level lie, but given a flat pristine tee where do you choose to tee up and why?

On a par 3 I usually go the opposite side to the flag so I'm looking at more green straight down my line.

On a straight par 4 (or 5) I'll tee up on the same side as the worst of the trouble so I can hit away from it.

On a dogleg par 4 I can't make my mind up if it's better to straighten the hole as much as possible, or hit away from the trouble.

An example...
Par 4, dogleg right to left with the worst of the trouble on the left.
If you tee up on the left to hit away from the trouble you have less fairway before it runs out.
If you tee up on the right to give yourself more fairway, anything slightly pulled means a chip out.

What would you do, and why?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to play from the side with most trouble and aim to play away from that

 

[duncan mackie]

The starting point is to think about it!

What will work for you in a particular situation will be different.

If I can aim straight at a hazard I find that helps ie I use distance as the avoidance rather than line.

If stuck with line I like to leave the room for my error ie if I am drawing the ball I will tee up right and aim down the right - overcook the draw and I have space. Others will have different traits.

Again on par 3s you can choose to play over greens use hazards that give you the most green to play with - or go hunting the gaps that enable you to avoid going over anything; all down to shape and capability.

Key is to consider it...

 

[FairwayDodger]

If I'm laying up at the dogleg I'd just tee up where ever I can get a level stance. If I'm trying to hit it part or all the way round the corner I'd tee up at the right hand side to straighten it up as much as possible.

 

[Craigg]

I tend to tee up on the left side. I find it helps with the mind-set to hit a draw.

 

[Imurg]

I'm not convinced that it matters a great deal unless your tee markers are a long way apart.
Over the course of 200 yards, teeing up 3/4 yards this way or 3/4 the other isn't going to change the angles sufficiently for it to make a difference that we, as handicap golfers, can benefit from.

 

[Slab]

More often I tee on the right in a mental attempt to cut out a 'strong fade'

I play with one chap who (regardless of hole design) very often takes his stance outside the tee marker so its between him and the ball, I do wonder if its for effect or becasue he gets some other benefit from it

 

[USER1999]

Why aren't more tees level?

 

[ruff-driver]

I always play from the middle of the tee as the middle of the fairway is where i always hit

 

[bladeplayer]

I'm not convinced that it matters a great deal unless your tee markers are a long way apart.
Over the course of 200 yards, teeing up 3/4 yards this way or 3/4 the other isn't going to change the angles sufficiently for it to make a difference that we, as handicap golfers, can benefit from.

I tend to agree with this. if the tee box is level i will tee up centre or just right of centre ..
Unfortunately most times (on par 3's in particular) its find a level spot with good footing where ever that happens to be

 

[Alex1975]

Generally I am trying to get as far left as possible ready for the hook.... Where will you be standing while I tee up on the left though?

 

[thesheriff]

Firstly, I pick the side of the tee box which allows me to hit away from the worst of the trouble. Then I look for an good piece of ground allowing my feet and the ball an even surface to play from, which determines where on that side I tee the ball up.

 

[Foxholer]

I'm not convinced that it matters a great deal unless your tee markers are a long way apart.
Over the course of 200 yards, teeing up 3/4 yards this way or 3/4 the other isn't going to change the angles sufficiently for it to make a difference that we, as handicap golfers, can benefit from.

I agree. But that doesn't cover the 'in your head' aspect of the shot!

BTW. Duncan is a Leftie!