Tee area at the golf course

What is the tee box in golf?

Each hole begins with a shot played from the teeing area. In everyday language, we refer to the “start” or the “tee box”, based on the English tee. Before 2019, the Rules referred to a “departure area”; they now refer to a departure zone (teeing area), governed by the Rule 6.2.

Be careful not to get confused: the word “tee” also refers to the small wooden or plastic stand on which the ball is placed. The context makes the difference.

How is the starting area marked off?

The teeing area is a rectangle:

• at the front, the line connecting the front ends of the two tee markers;
• on the sides, the outer edge of the two marks;
• in depth, two club lengths behind the front line.

The ball is in the starting area as soon as any part of it touches that area or is above it. The player, however, may stand outside the area—for example, with his feet behind it.

What do the colors of the starting markers mean?

Most holes have several sets of tees, located at varying distances from the green, identified by color or number. This allows everyone to play a course suited to their driving distance.

There is no universal color code: each club chooses its own markers. In France, you often see white, yellow, blue, and red markers, but their meanings vary from course to course. The scorecard For each series, it lists the length of the holes, as well as the slope and SSS, which are used to calculate the handicap. In competition, the rules specify which courses are used.

What does Rule 6.2 allow in the starting area?

• The tee is allowed: You may place the ball on a tee driven into the ground, or play it directly from the ground. Elsewhere on the course, the use of a tee is prohibited.
• You can prepare the soil: smoothing out an unevenness, wiping away dew, or pulling out a stray blade of grass—all of which are prohibited in the general area.
• A ball falling off the tee Before the snap, the ball may be repositioned without penalty, since it is not yet in play.
• Brands don't move To improve one's position: the penalty is a general penalty.

What happens if you play outside the tee box?

The penalty depends on the format of play (Rule 6.1b):

Playing from the tees of a different series than the one designated also counts as playing outside the teeing area.

How can you make the most of the starting area?

• Take advantage of the full width and depth of the area: a flat, well-oriented spot is better than the space right between the markers.
• Position yourself on the side of the danger to aim toward the open space: if the out-of-bounds area is on the right, play from the right side of the zone.
• Adjust the height of the tee to match the club: high for the driver, very low or none at all for the irons.
• Choose the set of starts that matches your skill level rather than the longest one.