Hey all—William here. I’ve been playing golf since I started high school in 2014, thanks to a mix of family friends and curiosity that pulled me into the game. As the youngest of three boys, I had all four years of high school at home as the “only child,” and during that time, my dad—who had stepped away from golf for a bit—picked it back up. It quickly became our thing. We’d play together, compete a little, learn a lot, and most importantly, just enjoy being out on the course.

By the time I was in college, I was spending nearly every summer afternoon playing after internships, mostly at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Georgia. That’s where I struck up a friendship with a guy named Sam Burrell. I’m still not sure how old Sam is (Sam, if you’re reading this—you don’t look a day over 25), but I’d guess he’s close to my parents’ age, maybe older. Regardless, the man can play. And more importantly, he taught me a lot—especially about course management. Sam’s biggest lesson? Playing good golf isn’t just about hitting good shots. It’s about knowing how to navigate a course, how to miss smart, and how to make better decisions. One of those decisions? Choosing the right tees.

I really started to understand that when I set a goal of becoming a single-digit handicap. My buddies and I were playing the tips at the Furman course, but it wasn’t doing me any favors. I was constantly facing long approaches into par 4s, finishing rounds drained, and watching my progress stall. The game was supposed to be challenging—but not punishing.

Which brings us here.

Golf is humbling. It’s mental. And unlike, say, pickleball (which I also love), it takes a serious investment of time, money, and energy just to be decent. But one of the smartest, easiest things you can do to improve your game doesn’t involve swing mechanics or buying new equipment—it’s simply learning how to manage the course better. And a big part of that is tee selection.

Because let’s be honest: none of us are hitting it like Bryson. So maybe play the whites.

Golf already takes enough time. Playing from tees that are too long for your skill level just makes the round longer—and slower. If you're a beginner, trying to break 100, or even just struggling with consistency, longer tees will mean more strokes, more lost balls, more time searching, and more frustration.

Let’s be real: if you can’t reliably keep the ball in play off the tee, or reach greens in regulation from longer distances, you’ll slow down your group and everyone behind you. Moving up a tee box helps you stay in the rhythm of the round—and keeps golf fun for everyone.

Golf courses are designed with intention. Architects place bunkers, water hazards, and doglegs strategically to challenge different skill levels. Playing from tees that don’t match your game can make these design elements feel unfair or overly punishing.

By choosing the correct tees, you put yourself in the best position to experience the course as it was meant to be played. You’ll start to make smarter decisions, avoid unnecessary hazards, and manage your way around the course more effectively. When you’re first trying to break through 100, you're doing damage control, minimizing penalties. Selecting the right tees is one of those few things you can do to improve your scores with no practice. 

Let’s not forget why we play golf in the first place: to enjoy it. Playing from the wrong tees—especially the tips—can leave you exhausted, mentally drained, and wondering why you even came out. It’s easy to get caught up in peer pressure or pride, but grinding through 7,000 yards of tough holes every weekend isn't helping anyone—especially your scorecard.

I learned this the hard way in college. Our group of guys would always play from the back tees because a couple of the better players needed to. I’d finish rounds wiped out, both physically and mentally, with some, but not maximum enjoyment. Once I gave myself permission to move up, the game got a lot more fun—and my scores improved too.

So how do you actually figure out what tees to play from? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but several tried-and-true methods can guide your decision. Use these as tools—not hard rules—to help you find your ideal tee box.

This method is simple and surprisingly effective:

Take the distance you hit your 5-iron and multiply it by 36.

Let’s say your 5-iron goes 185 yards.
185 × 36 = 6,660 yards

That’s the maximum total course yardage you should consider. Personally, even though that formula gives me nearly 6,700 yards, I usually look to play something around 6,500 yards because it’s more enjoyable and better suits my game.

Tip: Take that 5 iron distance from a normal shot. Not a 5 iron off a tee. 

This initiative encourages golfers to base tee choice on their driving distance. Let’s be realistic, we all hit is shorter than we think and none of us will hit it like Bryson. It’s better to underestimate your driver distance.With that in mind, here’s what they suggest:

This method is great for casual players and travelers alike—if you know your average driving distance, you can easily find a yardage range to match.

This approach uses your 7-iron distance to determine an appropriate total course length:If you’ve ever had a hard time estimating your driving distance, this method is a solid alternative.

Just like the foodies often check menus and read reviews before picking a restaurant, I do the same with golf courses. I’m the guy watching flyovers, studying scorecards, and reading reviews before I even arrive. Why? Because not all 6,500-yard courses play the same.

Some courses play longer than the card suggests—maybe they’re at sea level, have lots of uphill holes, or are always soft and wet. Others might play shorter due to firm fairways or elevation changes. If you’re unsure, ask the pro shop staff or the starter. They’ll usually have great insight on how the course really plays and can point you toward the right tees for your game and the day’s conditions.

If you try all three tee selection methods and land on slightly different yardages, take the average—or better yet, err on the shorter side. The three methods above tell me I should play something around 6,600-6,700 yards. I hardly ever play tees that long. Why? Because that calculation is in a vacuum that is void of elevation changes, slope ratings, and course conditions. Typically, I shoot for something around 6,500 yards. 

There’s no trophy for grinding through the longest set of tees. Moving up a tee box can help you hit more greens in regulation, maintain your energy throughout the round, and ultimately shoot lower scores.

This is especially true when you’re on vacation or playing a resort course. You’re there to relax and have fun—not to battle 7,000 yards of unfamiliar terrain. Playing up makes the round smoother, more enjoyable, and often more in line with the pace and spirit of a casual trip.

Too often, golfers just follow what their buddies are doing. But your game is your own. Choosing the right tees isn’t about pride—it’s about giving yourself the best chance to enjoy the day and play your best.

A shorter course doesn’t mean an easier one—just a more playable one. And that’s exactly what most of us want when we’re away from home or out for a fun weekend round.

Final Thoughts

Golf isn’t about proving how tough you are. It’s about the challenge, the camaraderie, and the joy of a well-struck shot. Choosing the right tees is one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to make the game more enjoyable.

So next time you head to the first tee, ask yourself:

Am I playing the right tees for my game?

Until next time,
William Douglas
Sweet Tees Golf