How To Stop Breaking Golf Tees

Golf Waterton is supported by its readers. If you buy something with our links, we may earn a commission.

Golfing is a fun sport that requires skill, patience, and a lot of equipment. It can be frustrating when your equipment breaks and you need to replace it. One common question golfers have is how you can stop breaking golf tees?

Here are 6 ways to stop breaking golf tees:

  1. Work on the angle of your swing.
  2. Make sure that your tee is not placed too high.
  3. Try putting the pin in the ground, remove, then replace it.
  4. Do not use old tees.
  5. Stop using inexpensive tees.
  6. Try not to play in rough conditions.

1. Work on the Angle of Your Swing

The angle of your swing is one of the most important aspects of hitting a golf ball the proper way. Not only will it affect the course of your ball and its distance, but it can also significantly impact its effect on your equipment. If you notice that you are breaking a lot of golf tees, you may want to look at the angle of your swing.

Having a swing that angles up rather than down will make your golf ball travel further distances. When you angle your swing upwards, it will not only improve the golf ball’s trajectory, but it will also ensure you break fewer tees.

If you are angling your swing downwards, you drive the ball down into the tee. Driving the ball down into the tee puts extra stress on it and can eventually break more often. You are probably hitting the tee instead of the ball if you are angling down. Try raising the angle of your swing and follow-through to break fewer tees. You should also see an improvement in your game while you save money on equipment.

2. Make Sure That Your Tee Is Not Placed Too High

Golf tees are long and skinny, and you can place them at various depths, depending on your preference. Some people prefer hitting their golf balls close to the ground, while others get a better swing if the tee is placed higher up. But if you place your tee too high, you may be more likely to break the tees regularly.

Having the right tee height helps you drive the ball further, but it can also save you the headache of broken tees. If you place your tee too high, you are more likely to be hitting the golf ball in a lower location. If your tee is too high, it also increases the likelihood that you will be hitting the golf tee with your swing. This is especially so if you are using cheaper tees. In this case, the direct impact of the club to the tee will often cause your golf tee to break.

If you want to break fewer tees, picture this; the right height for your golf tee is generally considered to be about 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). This height is a consensus opinion from experts when asked how to get the best angle on your swing. Placing the tee in the ground so there is 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of height from the grass will help you break fewer tees when you are out golfing.    

Here is a video from Meandmygolf that shows how to place your tee at the right height and why it’s important:

3. Try Putting the Pin in the Ground, Remove, Then Replace It

Some golfers have successfully placed the tee in the ground initially, taken it out of the earth, and then stuck it back in the hole. While this may sound tedious and perhaps arbitrary, it is not. There is some effectiveness to this method. 

When you place the tee in the ground, remove it, and put it back in the hole again, you create some room for the tee to move around. This extra room is essential because most tees are relatively fragile. 

If your tee is stuck firmly in the ground, there is less room to move on the point of contact. Swinging your club to the ball involves a lot of force, and if there is no room for the tee to move after being struck, it will almost certainly break. 

Try this method, and you will find that you are breaking much fewer tees than if you stick it in the ground firmly.

4. Do Not Use Old Tees

One common reason your tees may keep breaking is that they are too old. Using older tees may seem necessary if you have them lying around, but it will often lead to them snapping when struck. Wooden tees that have been in your garage or home may be exposed to insects or bad weather, which can weaken them over time. 

If you notice your tees breaking frequently, they may be too old, and it might be time to throw them out. Buy a new set of golf tees and get the best quality tees you can find. Using fresh, high-quality tees will help you break fewer tees when out on the golf course.   

5. Stop Using Inexpensive Tees

Like many things in life, you often get what you pay for. In the case of golf, this could not be more true. Golf tees are one example of the fact that spending a little more money can make a difference in how long equipment lasts. Wooden golf tees tend to be the least expensive and most popular option for golfers, but they also break.

Wooden tees are usually made from cedar that is sanded down to a skinny, long, and pointed tee. They are generally between 2 inches (50.8 mm) and 4 inches (101.6 mm) long. The tees are long and skinny, making them vulnerable to breaking if they are made with cheap materials. 

You will break far fewer tees if you use more expensive options like these NorthPointe Skull and Crossbones Golf Tees (available on Amazon.com). The unique design of these tees ensures that you will hit the golf ball more than you will hit the tee. They are made from quality plastic that allows you to use them repeatedly without them breaking.

6. Try Not To Play in Rough Conditions

The conditions of the soil matter, too. If you are playing on a course with extremely firm dirt, it will make you break more tees. Dry, hard soil will be the hardest on your golf tees and should be avoided if at all possible. 

One thing you could do if you have no other choice but to play in rough conditions is to bring a little water with you. If you pour the water on the dry, hard soil, you will loosen it up. Doing this may save you a few golf tees when playing on the less ideal ground. 

Playing on cold dirt can also affect how often your golf tees break. The colder the ground is, the harder the soil becomes, and it can eventually become frozen. Try not to play in freezing conditions to avoid breaking your golf tees. If you must play in cold weather, use the most durable tees to prevent damaging them repeatedly.

Important Takeaways

Breaking golf tees can be annoying, expensive, and bad for the environment if you can not find them. If you are breaking a lot of golf tees, you should keep a few things in mind to prevent doing it in the future. 

  • Work on your swing
  • Place the tee properly into the ground
  • Try to golf in better conditions
  • Use quality tees

Leave a Comment