3 different ways to tee up the golf ball: Which one is best for you?

Tee height is a simple thing, but it can have a big effect on how far you hit your driver.

Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America Trillium Rose says that tee height doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution.

“Generally, everyone says tee it up high. I agree with that, except if you have a tendency to hit down on the ball,” Rose says. “If you’re someone who pops it up with your driver, that probably means you've hit down too much. And you’re teeing it up high, because so much literature tells you to.”

The proper tee height for you depends on your swing. She recommends testing low, mid, and high tee heights to figure out which gives you maximum distance.

Low Tee Height

Definition: The high point of the ball is lower than the crown of the driver.

For golfers who hit down on the driver, Rose says a low tee height can be a good option. Though she does note, hitting down on the driver is not a good thing. To get the most out of your driver, you want to hit up on it.

“If the ball is teed up high, and you hit down, the ball will pop up, go nowhere and probably scratch the top of your driver. Terrible. Tee the ball lower and work on your angle of attack,” Rose says.

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Mid Tee Height

Definition: A small portion of the ball is above the crown of the driver.

If you hit up on the ball, this can be a good tee height for you. If you hit down on it, mid-height might also work for you.

“Not everybody has a positive angle of attack. Some people want a positive angle of attack, but they just don't. If you're a little over the top and you're drifting towards the target with your upper body, you're probably going to hit down on the ball with your driver. And in that case, you don’t want to tee it up too high,” Rose said.

At the same time, you don’t want to tee it up super low, in case you do hit up on it. It’s a balance, and it depends on how severely or often you hit down on the ball.

High Tee Height

Definition: The equator of the ball meets the top of the driver.

Similar to mid-tee height, golfers who hit up on the ball should consider a high tee height. Hitting up on a ball that’s teed high is most often the combination that leads to maximum driver distance.

The only way to know which is best for you is to try each out, and see how your yardages change.