Wooden vs Plastic Golf Tees: Which Should You Use in 2025?

Key Takeaways

· For me personally, I enjoy the nostalgic appeal of using wooden tee and how they’re easier on club faces. That said, they do break quite easily, so I always have a few spares in my bag.

· Plastic tees are extremely durable, lasting several rounds. I have to consider their negative environmental impact and greater expense.

· The course conditions here in the U.S. play a part too on how much I can get a tee in. So I decide to go with wood or plastic depending on how soft or firm the ground is.

· In particular, bamboo or hybrid eco-friendly options are really rising in popularity. I know I’m doing the right thing and making sustainable choices while enjoying my rounds!

· Budget considerations, swing style, etc. are huge factors in deciding what tee is best to use. So go out, experiment with different materials and find what’s better for your game!

· Having a designated space, be it a pocket or a pouch, allows for easy access and makes it quick to pick the appropriate tee. With this approach, I’m able to avoid any interruptions in my game!

Wood vs plastic golf tees depends on personal feel, price, and damage to local greens.

I’ve played thousands of rounds on American courses and to me the tradeoff of having a wooden tee break so easily and leave zero waste is a fair one.

I’d argue that plastic tees last longer, but I find them more often left behind on the course.

Picking the right tee often means thinking about what matters most: swing, price, or the look of the fairway.

Let me walk you through what’s made the biggest impact for me.

What's a Golf Tee Anyway?

I like to think of a golf tee as less of a flimsy peg. It keeps the ball nice and still above the turf, so I can hit a clean shot. A golf tee’s primary function is to elevate the golf ball.

It only has to raise it that high—maybe 1.5 inches while I’m using my driver! This allows my entire swing to be more smooth, and allows the club face to make contact with the ball correctly. Many tees come with an easily interchangeable multi-prong tip that greatly reduces drag as I swing.

Now I personally have the option to choose wood, plastic, or bamboo when I tee up. In addition, bamboo decomposes very rapidly. This resilience makes it a perfect fit for 2019 Open host Marrakech’s local courses, where the climate is arid and hot.

Golf regulations allow tees no longer than four inches, ensuring a level playing field in their game.

The Traditional Wooden Tee

For as long as I’ve played golf, the wooden tee has been here. It’s more than just a simple peg—a rich history underlies it. Wooden tees have been in use since the early 1900s, and they’ve endured for a reason. They simply perform better.

You can get them in a wide range of sizes, but the most standard are 2 1/8 and 2 3/4 inches. If you want the ability to tee up a driver, you need to go with closer to 1.5 inches. That’s simple to achieve with the right wooden tee. Shapes vary from simple straight pegs to complex cup-top shapes, but the aesthetic remains consistent.

Natural wood has a grain and feel that you just can’t replicate. With each one, I’m always impressed with the grain and smooth finish. There is an aesthetic, and a pride, to using gear that looks real and feels real. Some of the local shops even sell hand-painted tees—think bright colors that make you easy to spot out on the course.

Wooden Tee Advantages

Plus, wooden tees are biodegradable, meaning they break down over time and don’t linger in the environment like plastic. That’s a huge benefit to anyone concerned about their land. They penetrate tough or parched soils with ease, as well.

The vibrant color spectrum helps you identify the correct tee after a tee shot. Plus, they’re easy on club faces, so I’m not stressing about scratches.

Wooden Tee Disadvantages

The downside of painted golf tees, especially conventional wood options, is that they start to rub off on clubs, which is super annoying. These quality golf tees don’t hold up well—they often break frequently after a single drive, making them a less reliable choice for serious golfers.

I've heard the argument from some professional golfers that using a thicker bamboo golf tee can reduce ball speed slightly, but it may also provide better consistency and sturdiness during play.

That Classic Wood Feel

Perhaps it’s the whiff of nostalgia that wooden tees evoke. For most traditionalists, myself included, there’s a strong emotional connection that makes us want to preserve the game’s roots.

That classic crack of wood is what’s always made golf feel so good.

Storing Wooden Tees

I store mine in a small fabric pouch in my golf bag, so it’s dry and easy to grab. Keeping them out of the rain will make your tees last much longer!

A proper tee container will ensure I’m not scrambling for a tee when it’s my turn to play.

The Durable Plastic Tee

Durable plastic tees were introduced to my game as an ingenious replacement for wood. They last longer, and that’s not just my opinion—plenty of other people at my home club in Marrakech can attest to this.

These tees stand up, round after round, even in the hard, rocky soil typical of our local courses. I’ve made it through months on only a few, and one buddy firmly believes he’s lost more balls than he’s broken tees. Such a long life span gives you more time swinging and less time fussing over gear.

Plastic Tee Strengths

Plastic tees’ greatest claim to fame is their durability. In fact, I’ve played dozens of rounds on a single tee. To be specific, they bend instead of break.

If they get bent after a bad ride, I simply straighten them and move on! In fact, some models have three contact points under the ball, a setting that steadies the ball to ensure my aim is true.

After that, come zero-friction tees. These designs allow for a more aerodynamic ball flight, producing less drag and assisting me in my pursuit of lower scores. I’ve always had a good time with plastic tees, as I feel that they are easier to identify and reclaim.

I’ll confess I’ve taken a few that others have left on par 3s.

Plastic Tee Weaknesses

The catch is that plastic tees are more expensive initially. They don’t bury in dry, hard-packed ground as quickly as wood.

I ponder their effects on our planet, as plastic pollution and waste continues to be a major concern. It’s a trade-off I consider every year.

Plastic’s Tech Edge

Today’s plastic tees are just the latest in a long line of inventive adaptations. All reduce friction, some assist with height adjustment, and so on.

With a little less friction, I can tell my drives are rolling truer. For the rest of us, looking to maximize each competitive advantage, these durable plastic tees provide a meaningful advantage.

Caring for Plastic Tees

Like my plastic tees, I wash them as soon as possible and ensure they dry properly. I store them in a moisture-proof pocket to keep them from warping in the humidity.

On their trip, I’m maximizing the value of each one.

Wood vs. Plastic: Head-to-Head

When I compare wooden and plastic golf tees head-to-head, several things become immediately apparent. Some people will always love the sound and feel of wood, while others find they prefer the durability of plastic. Each side has plenty of vocal supporters, and the divide is indeed deep.

Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons before we dig deeper:

1. Swing Performance Compared

What I have discovered is that the tee you choose does affect your shot. The most common complaint among golfers regarding wooden tees is that they break easily but provide a clean strike—often translating to a more true ball flight.

Plastic tees are more flexible but more durable, and brands such as Zero Friction tees boast increased distance. Golfers with a big swing will break down wood tees, while someone with a slower swing speed could use one for weeks.

Oh, and the tee height is huge, too! Castle tees, usually made of plastic, have bright colors that indicate pre-determined heights for each club, assisting with consistent swings.

2. Lifespan and Your Wallet

From my personal experience, plastic tees have the clear edge for value. As one golfer explained to me, they use the same plastic tee all year long.

I know I’m not the only one who’s taken home orphaned tees from par 3s, so the buy fewer is legit. Yet, many continue to use wood for decades, preferring the touch over saving a dollar.

3. Green Impact: Wood vs Plastic

Wood tees decompose naturally in the grass. Plastic has a tendency to linger, not ideal for the home turf.

While some brands are starting to incorporate recycled or plant-based plastic into their offerings, wood just makes sense for eco-minded folks.

4. Course Conditions Matter

Wet or hard ground conditions can easily snap wood tees. While forgiving soft turf allows both types of divots to take, some courses are unfortunately left with more plastic residue.

According to local golfers, they rotate depending on the course—wood over green fairways, plastic over dry links.

5. Evolving Golfer Choices

At courses around the country, I’m seeing more people tee up with environmentally friendly tees. Some consumers request quirky new shapes or colors; others simply pick up whatever is already out there.

What should really matter to you is how well a tee works for your game, and aligns with your values.

Tees of Tomorrow: Eco-Focus

Sustainability influences every decision I make on a golf course today. It seems more golfers than ever around me are reconsidering the little details, like the type of tee you should use. I’m on the hunt for green products and materials.

The change is a logical one. Plastic tees may make it through a few rounds, but they stick around in the earth for thousands of years. Wooden tees degrade at a much quicker rate. I learned that producing them destroys over 270,000 trees annually. That’s hard to overlook.

Bamboo: The Natural Contender

Here’s why bamboo tees really stand out to me. They just seem to snap less than the wood of yesteryear and they feel lighter in my hand. Bamboo is a very fast-growing plant, and once I abandon one, I can feel comfortable knowing that it will be gone in three or four months.

That’s a huge contrast to plastic. They’re pretty sweet to wear too—nice, clean, organic colors that fit right in with the textured earth beneath my feet. Folks at my local course have been impressed by bamboo’s durability. It remains durable shoot after shoot, even as earth hardens.

Smart Hybrid Tee Designs

Finally, there’s the new generation of hybrid tees. A few brands combine durable recycled plastic with plant fibers. These hybrids give me the best of both worlds: less breakage, but they still break down over time.

People I speak with tell me that they love not having to choose between durability and eco-friendliness. The reviews have been nothing short of amazing—tees feel great, last longer, and the guilt is gone.

What’s Next for Tees?

I can’t wait to see tech pushing golf tees further in the coming years—perhaps with biodegradable bamboo golf tees or smart designs that track how worn they are. The more we encourage this spirit of innovation and creativity, the better for both the game and the land.

Find Your Ideal Golf Tee

Choosing the ideal golf tee is more subjective than one would think. One of the biggest factors in what tees to play is realizing that there’s no one formula to choose the right color tee box for everyone. In Marrakech, residents balance the needs of local courses with tourist golfers.

In addition to remarkable habits, cracks and tricks. Most of us start out playing with wooden or bamboo tees. Regular tee users quickly move to plastic, which holds up better. I’ve watched friends use the same plastic tee for months. Some folks break wooden tees every couple rounds, particularly with high club speeds.

Match Tee to Your Swing

Then I watch my swing and choose tees to fit my swing. If I crush one, plastic is the way to go, as they tend to remain intact when taking a beating. For more moderate swings, wooden or bamboo tees offer a more traditional aesthetic and a softer feel.

Tee height is important—higher for drivers, lower for irons. Pairing a few high tees with low tees for your par threes will help speed up play. I experimented with multiple tee materials and tee heights. That’s why I’m a fan of bamboo tee for its extra grip and feel, particularly when the turf gets hard and crusty after a hot Marrakech summer.

Budget-Friendly Tee Choices

I’m impulse online purchase sensitive and watch what I spend. Bulk packs of wood or bamboo tees are inexpensive and readily available. Even the plastic ones come in economy packs.

Many brands have jumbo bags for less than $10, so losing the occasional tee won’t break your heart. I’ve actually talked with golfers who are totally OK with the idea of picking up found tees for no cost.

Eco-Conscious Tee Selection

Unlike plastic which can take over 1,000 years to decompose, bamboo tees break down quickly—in as little as six months. So when I shop, I look for brands that are environmentally conscious.

It’s pretty awesome to reduce waste in this way! I’m particularly inspired by the conversations surrounding the impacts of plastic pollution in Morocco’s parks and courses.

My Two Cents on Tees

This is why I carry both wood and plastic in my bag. I love bamboo for its environmentally friendly aspect, but on a rough day, plastic is the winner.

So what is the best tee, then? The ideal one that works for your game and your environmental values.

Conclusion

I just don’t play a whole lot of rounds here in the States. I totally get why people compare wood and plastic tees. I know wood tees break on that 1st drive but they wear away natural and no evidence. Plastic tees remain in play longer, certainly, and they can take a ton of tee shots without breaking. Even so, I still caviled at stumbling upon them lodged in the lawn or jutting out of the earth. There are days where I want to go all retro and I’ll reach for the wooden tee. On other days, I take the long haul—and plastic. Each serves its purpose and has a spot in my bag. Experiment with each, find what works best for you, and tee off with your best game. Your game, your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wooden golf tees better for the environment than plastic tees?

Are bamboo golf tees better for the environment than conventional wood tees? While plastic tees may remain intact for many years, bamboo golfing tees are the environmentally friendlier option.

Do plastic golf tees last longer than wooden tees?

Unlike conventional wood tees, durable plastic tees are more reliable and don’t break easily. They can withstand many more strokes than their wooden counterparts, which tend to break after just a few drives.

Can using different tees affect my golf game?

In short, yes, the material the tee is made from can impact the ball’s height and resistance. Quality golf tees, such as wood tees, provide a firmer, more stable base for your golf club than conventional plastic tees, which tend to flex. Choose the option that works best for your swing and feel.

Are there any rules about what type of golf tee I can use?

USGA rules do not discriminate against wood tees or plastic tees, including options like bamboo golf tees. Just be certain they are not over 4 inches in length and don’t give an unfair advantage on the course. Always consult your local golf course for any tee-related restrictions.

Do golf courses in the U.S. prefer one type of tee over another?

Do U.S. golf courses have a preference for wood tees versus plastic tees? While some might advocate for biodegradable bamboo golf tees for the sake of the environment, durable plastic tees are frequently used as well.

Are there eco-friendly alternatives to traditional tees?

Are there more environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional wood tees? Bamboo golf tees decompose quicker than plastic tees and are better for the planet as a whole.

Which type of golf tee is best for beginners?

Wood tees are basic and inexpensive, making them a popular choice for beginners. They provide a consistent platform for practicing proper golf tee height and alignment.