Tee Box tips

At the tee box your ball position could be essential to the overall score for that hole. Where you put the ball in the tee box, and its relative position for the set up, can be essential. Let us consider how that can enhance your scoring.

Let's suppose you were playing the 18th at Pebble Beach Links. That's an 18th hole with a lake along the left side of the fairway. If you tee up on the left side of the tee box, and the ball then flies further to the left, that could potentially leave you in the Pacific Ocean. Add one stroke and tee off again!

As a suggestion, play a provisional ball if you're not sure if you'll find your ball. Then you won't have to walk back to the tee box if the first balls disappeared. If you do find the first ball you need not include the provisional ball for the scoring.

If the reverse is true, and you're playing a hole where you could lose your ball on the right, either in water or trees, do not tee up on the right. If you pull shots more to the left then at least position your ball center. If more of your balls go to the right then you should station the ball as far left to the tee box as possible.

What if the fairway bends to the left or right? If that is so then tee up further left if the fairway bends right. If it's the opposite, then place your ball more to the right of the tee box.

If you're playing a shorter par-3 hole, less than 150 yards, then note the position of the pin (or flag). If the pin is located in a larger spot to the left of center on the green place the tee more to the right of the tee box. As it stated in my golf book, "This will give you best angle to the flagstick."

With regard to the set up, place the ball further left for longer clubs, and more to the center for the short irons. Make sure you don't tee the ball up too far to the left or the ball could fly leftwards. If too far to the right it might be sky high with reduced distance.

The golf tees can come in variable sizes. Generally the longer the club the larger the tee you'll need. With the longer woods at least an inch of tee should be above the grass. For short irons with more loft select shorter tees, and press them down more. If you tee the ball too high then you could undercut it, sending the ball skywards with little distance.

More effective tee box positions will ensure you land on the fairway or green with greater regularity. Check the hole layouts with score cards beforehand, and then position your ball appropriately.