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For golfing beginners the terms used in golf can be frustrating, confusing, that even make little sense to the uninitiated.
This is due to the fact that many of these terms can be used interchangeably with words and phrases in golf, but also not used in some cases. For example, the teeing ground and tee box are interchangeable when it comes to golf.
However, what exactly is this term referring to and what else do you need to know about the little bit of space you use to start your golf holes?
We will cover seven basic facts relating to the teeing-off area – let’s get going!
What is the Teeing Ground in Golf?
A teeing ground in golf is an area where golfers start every hole. This space has crucial rules that every golfer must stick to and is named after the small wooden or plastic tees that the golf ball is placed on before the start of every drive. The teeing ground has clear markings on every hole.
The USGA (United States Golf Association) defines the teeing ground as one of the most important areas of the golf course and quite rightly takes up one of the 5 designated areas in terms of course area classification.
The rules regarding the teeing-off area are a little complicated for beginners.
Basically, you should only take your first shot from inside the boundary area of the box and also ensure you are teeing off on the tee colors designed for your handicap.
Failing to comply with tee ground rules can result in a 2 shot penalty so it’s best to know and understand them before you tee off!
What Defines the Teeing Area?
A teeing area is part of the larger teeing ground and is a small space where you play your first shot in golf. The area is no bigger than two golf clubs in length and most golf courses have markers in place to define where exactly a golfer should tee off from depending on their handicap.
Players with a high handicap, junior golfers, seniors, and women tend to tee off from the forward teeing-off areas.
Men with a mid or low handicap will tee off from the middle and furthest setback tee-off zones.
Can Your Feet be Outside the Tee Box?
Your feet can be positioned outside the teeing area as long as your ball remains inside. This gives golfers more room to tee off from and can help golfers who are on difficult holes such as tricky par 3s that require a more strategic approach.
Under no circumstance should you move your ball ahead of the tee box. Doing so will cost you a penalty stroke.
And continuous rule violations can result in you being banned from your local golf course!
What is Teeing Off in Golf?
Teeing off in golf is where the ball is hit from the teeing ground. This shot starts the hole and has to be played from within the teeing area. The ball is then placed on the tee which is a small wooden or plastic peg designed to hold the golf ball at a height of around 1.5 inches from the ground.
When playing golf, players should always look for natural landmarks such as bunkers or trees when they are lining up their tee shots.
Beginners should also try and practice tee shots on the driving range to replicate what they will experience on the golf course.
This will help to alleviate any nervous feelings you have when teeing off during a round.
How Big is a Teeing Area?
A teeing area is usually rectangle in shape and is two golf clubs in depth. The width of a teeing area, however, depends on the hole you are playing on. Some teeing areas can be very wide of up to 25 – 40 feet whilst the majority will be under 20 feet.
The teeing area is clearly marked and every golfer should know the teeing off rules as set by the USGA.
You can read the latest rules regarding teeing off here – and this whole section falls under Rule 6 – playing a hole.
Once you have played a few rounds of golf understanding the etiquette and rules relating to teeing off will become second nature. As long as you play fair you won’t be penalized or scolded by your playing partners!
Why is it Called a Tee Box?
The term tee box originates from a time where golfers used a small pile of wet sand to nest the golf ball, prior to a tee shot. The sand was typically stored in small wooden creates or “boxes” inside the teeing ground area. The name has stuck and is a common term used in golf throughout the world.
You may have noticed that tee box areas are marked off in different colors. Checkout out our color-coded golf tee box guide for more information on what the colors mean inside the tee box area.
We cover this in more detail and also what tees you should be playing off depending on your handicap.
What Happens if Your Ball Doesn’t Leave the Tee Box after a Shot?
If you hit a bad shot and your ball falls inside the tee box area then you can re-take your shot again but you are charged a single penalty stroke. So if this happens on a par 4 for example, and you make par in 4 shots you would count this as one over par, taking into account the added penalty shot.
There are quite a few rules like this golf where you are penalized for bad shots that need to be retaken.
Another example is when you hit the ball into out-of-bounds areas or into water traps. This will cost you 1 penalty stroke for the hole.
Now You Know What to Do When Teeing Off!
The teeing ground is the area where play begins in a hole of golf.
Knowing these rules about what defines the teeing area, how big it should be, and why it’s called a “tee box” are important details to know before heading out onto the course for your next round.
Understanding the rules and etiquette of teeing off will make your golfing experience more enjoyable and help you avoid penalties during your round.
Finally, don’t forget to read our other articles in our golf learning section for more help with your game.