Tee Shot Strategy

Here are advanced tee shot strategies to help you hit smarter drives and set up better scoring opportunities:

1. Play to Your Strengths

• Know your natural ball flight (fade, draw, or straight) and aim accordingly.

• Don’t force a shape you aren’t comfortable with—work with what you have.

• If your miss is predictable (e.g., slight fade), aim away from trouble on that side.

2. Use Course Management

• Analyze the hole layout: hazards, bunkers, doglegs, and landing zones.

• Position for the next shot, not just maximum distance.

• On narrow holes, consider a 3-wood or hybrid for accuracy over distance.

3. Tee Height and Ball Position

• For driver: Ball should be half above the clubface when teed up for an upward strike.

• For fairway woods or hybrids: Lower tee for a more controlled strike.

• Position ball slightly forward in stance for driver, center for shorter clubs.

4. Wind and Elevation Adjustments

• Into the wind: Club down and swing smooth—don’t overswing.

• Downwind: Tee it higher, swing on an upward angle for more carry.

• Crosswind: Start ball on the side the wind will push it toward—don’t fight it aggressively.

5. Shot Shaping for Advantage

• Fade: Great for left-to-right doglegs and holding greens.

• Draw: Adds distance and works on right-to-left doglegs.

• Practice controlled curves, not big hooks or slices.

6. Target Smart, Not Aggressive

• Pick safe zones: fairway centers or areas that leave an open approach.

• If hazards guard one side, favor the opposite side—even if it means rough instead of water.

• On short par 4s, laying up can be the better play.

7. Mental Approach

• Commit 100% to your target and shot shape before swinging.

• Avoid last-second changes—they lead to big misses.

• Stick to a consistent pre-shot routine to reduce nerves.

8. Practice Pressure Situations

• Simulate tournament or match pressure on the range by:

  • Setting a “fairway” with markers and tracking success.

  • Playing “consequence games” where a miss has a penalty (push-ups, extra practice).