What Tees Should You Play From on the Golf Course?

If you’re new to golf, just getting to the first tee can feel like a victory. You’ve survived the intimidating pro shop, wrangled your gear, and made it out to the starting hole. Then you look down at the tee boxes… red, yellow, white, blue, black.

Where do you start?

The good news is: there’s no “wrong” answer. Tee colors simply mark different yardages, and the colors can vary from course to course. But there are ways to pick a tee box that will make your round more enjoyable (and probably faster).

Here’s a breakdown of the most common tee colors and what they actually mean.

Typical Tee Colors and What They Mean

Red Tees

Traditionally labeled as “ladies’ tees,” but let’s bust that myth right now — anyone can play from the reds. In fact, if you’re new to the game or working on shooting lower scores, the red tees are your friend. They offer the shortest yardage to the green and give you a feel for course management without punishing distance.

Pro tip: Challenge yourself to play from the reds until you can shoot even par or better. Learning to go low is a skill in itself.

Yellow Tees

Often called “senior tees,” but again, there’s no official rule. These are a little farther back than the reds, offering a manageable step up in distance. They’re a great option for newer golfers who are starting to hit the ball a bit farther or for anyone who simply wants a more comfortable round.

White Tees

The most popular tee box for the average golfer. White tees strike a nice balance: close enough that you won’t be hitting long irons into every green, but far enough back to feel like you’re playing the full course.

The average golfer carries an 18-handicap and drives the ball about 215–230 yards. If that sounds like you, the white tees are probably your sweet spot.

Blue Tees

Here’s where the challenge starts. Blue tees are typically designed for low-handicap players who can consistently carry the ball off the tee and handle long irons into par-3s. You’ll start to notice more forced carries over water, bunkers, or rough from this box.

Black Tees

Often called “championship” or “pro” tees. These are the farthest back, longest yardages on the course. While you don’t need a tour card to play them, they’re designed for highly skilled golfers who can hit the ball long and straight — repeatedly. For most players, the black tees are simply not fun and will slow down your round.

How to Choose the Right Tee Box

When you’re deciding where to tee it up, ask yourself two simple questions:

1. How far do you consistently hit your 5-iron? Over or under 185 yards is a good benchmark.

2. How accurate are you with the driver or long iron? Can you land within 25 yards of your target?

If your answers lean toward shorter or less consistent, move up a box. You’ll likely have more fun — and shoot better scores.

Remember: Golf Is Supposed to Be Enjoyable

Playing from the wrong tees doesn’t just make the round harder for you; it can slow down groups behind you. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a five-hour slog.

So if you’re new to the game, start at the reds or yellows. If you’re playing with a friend who’s still learning, encourage them to move forward instead of forcing them to tee off beside you. What’s the worst that happens — they shoot their best score ever?

At the end of the day, tee selection is about making golf more fun, not more stressful. Pick the tees that fit your game, not your ego, and you’ll enjoy the course the way it was meant to be played.