A wooden peg on which a ball is placed for driving, particularly in golf, is called a tee.
Understanding the Golf Tee
A tee is a small peg, commonly made from wood or plastic, designed to be placed in the ground. Its primary purpose is to elevate the golf ball slightly above the playing surface before a player makes their first stroke on a hole. This initial shot is often referred to as a drive or tee shot. Elevating the ball helps golfers make cleaner contact and achieve optimal launch conditions with their clubs, especially drivers.
Materials and Design
While the question specifically mentions a wooden peg, tees are manufactured from various materials:
- Wood Tees: These are traditional, biodegradable, and remain a popular choice among many golfers. They are available in different lengths to suit various club types and player preferences.
- Plastic Tees: Known for their durability and consistency, plastic tees often come in various designs intended to reduce friction or provide enhanced stability. Some modern designs are engineered to be virtually unbreakable.
Regardless of the material, the basic design features a pointed end to insert into the ground and a small cup or platform at the top to securely hold the golf ball.
Where and When Tees Are Used
In golf, tees are used exclusively on the teeing ground (also known as the tee box) at the start of each hole.
- Teeing Ground: This is the designated area from which a golfer takes their initial shot for a hole. It is typically marked by two tee markers, which indicate the permissible area within which the ball must be placed when using a tee.
- First Stroke Only: The rules of golf dictate that a tee may only be used for the very first stroke on a hole. Once the ball has been struck from the teeing ground, it must be played as it lies for all subsequent shots on that hole. Even if a player's first shot goes out of bounds or is lost, and they must re-hit from the teeing ground, they are permitted to use another tee for that provisional or penalty shot.
Importance and Benefits
The use of a tee offers significant advantages to golfers:
- Optimized Launch: By elevating the ball, golfers can swing through it more effectively, leading to better launch angles and greater distances for their drives.
- Reduced Ground Interference: It minimizes the impact of turf on the clubhead during the swing, facilitating a smoother and cleaner strike.
- Consistent Setup: Provides a consistent and elevated starting point for the ball, which can help golfers maintain their rhythm and control during the crucial opening shot of a hole.
For further information on golf terms and equipment, you can explore comprehensive resources like Golf Terminology Explained.
Comparison: Tee vs. Teeing Ground
It's important to differentiate between the small peg itself and the area from which it's used.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Tee | The small, individual peg (made of wood, plastic, or other materials) placed in the ground to elevate the golf ball for the first stroke of a hole. Its primary function is to facilitate an optimal "drive" or initial shot. |
| Teeing Ground | The designated and marked area at the beginning of each golf hole from which the first shot is played. This area provides the boundaries within which a golfer must position their ball (often on a tee) to begin playing the hole. It may also be informally referred to as the "tee box." |
