Tees Please

Golf tees aren’t just for holding the ball—they’re versatile training tools that can help you improve your game. From better alignment to sharper ball-striking, tees are simple, affordable, and effective. Below are five easy drills using tees to make your practice more productive.

1. The Gate Drill (Putting)
Objective: Improve putting alignment and stroke consistency.

• Setup: Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head on the green, forming a “gate.”

• Execution: Position a ball between the tees and practice putting without touching them.

• Focus: Smooth, straight strokes with proper alignment.

• Why It Works: Develops precision and control for consistent putting.

2. Tee Line Drill (Chipping)
Objective: Develop clean contact for chips.

• Setup: Place a tee lightly in the turf where the ball will sit. Arrange a line of three tees about an inch apart behind the ball, representing the “danger zone.”

• Execution: Practice chipping the ball without hitting the back tees.

• Focus: Swinging with a descending strike.

• Why It Works: Encourages solid ball-first contact and reduces chunking.

3. Elevated Tee Drill (Iron Striking)
Objective: Improve low-point control and ball striking.

• Setup: Tee up the ball slightly higher than usual on a short tee.

• Execution: Take smooth swings with mid-irons, focusing on clipping the ball cleanly off the tee without hitting the ground too hard.

• Focus: Centered strikes and proper weight shift.

• Why It Works: Promotes precision and better control of the clubface.

4. Low Tee Drill (Driving Accuracy)
Objective: Hone control for low, accurate drives.

• Setup: Place the ball on a very low tee.

• Execution: Practice hitting drives where the ball stays low with a controlled flight (e.g., a stinger shot).

• Focus: Shorter backswing, clean contact, and controlled follow-through.

• Why It Works: Develops a repeatable swing and control over trajectory.

5. Tee Ladder Drill (Swing Path)
Objective: Improve swing path and avoid slicing or hooking.

• Setup: Place a row of three tees on the ground, each about six inches apart, in a straight line along your intended swing path. Position the ball at the middle tee.

• Execution: Swing through the ball while ensuring your club follows the path of the tees, brushing over them in sequence.

• Focus: A smooth, in-to-out or straight path depending on your desired ball flight.

• Why It Works: Promotes a consistent and correct swing plane, reducing mishits and improving accuracy.