In a friendly game of golf w/other beginner players is it okay to use a tee on the fairway?

Question

I have great drives and then I chase the ball around for 7 or 8 more shots before it finally gets in the hole. While I'm learning, and when my 2nd shot is still like 200 yards from the hole, I'd REALLY like to play my 2nd (and sometimes maybe even my 3rd shot :-( boo...) shot off a tee and lower the tee over time until I got good at hitting the 2nd shot right off the ground.

I'd think the golf courses wouldn't mind b/c you wouldn't be ripping up divots on their course and you'd be playing WAAAAY less shots so it would be faster. (We had the course marshall hurrying us along for about 6 holes yesterday even though there were others still playing on our hole when we got to it. We never know when we might really connect with a ball so unless it's a par 5 we try to make sure they're DONE before we start the hole.)

I know it's not "legal" but while you're learning the game is it okay? Should/Could you ask at the course (or ask/explain to the marshall?)

Thanks!

Answer 1

I guess that would be fine to use as long as your not holding up the hole. But if you want to get better you wont use the tees. You dont have to be good right away. It takes time especially for this sport. Im terrible with the longer shots but everytime I go and play Im able to hit the ball a bit better.

Answer 2

The rules of golf tell you to play it where it lies...to do otherwise cheats you out of trying to figure out what to do when circumstances tell you you have to adapt...you can't get better by simply teeing it up every shot!

Answer 3

for beginners I don't see why not if they can hit the ball. once you get better at the game you can't used the tees any more in the fairway.

Answer 4

This may sound harsh, but if you feel like you have to tee the ball up to make a good shot, you shouldn't be on the course.  You should instead be on a practice range  hitting range balls off the ground (not off a mat) so that you can learn how to hit off the ground.  Everyone takes divots - just remember to repair them.  The truth is though, that if you play this way, you are going to slow down the pace of play immensely simply by taking the time to mark the ball, lift it, tee it and then hit it.  More than that, you'll never learn the proper fundamentals of the game.  

Take a few lessons, learn to play properly, then go onto the course.  It will be much more fun for you in the long run.

Answer 5

Pleas do not do this. It can damage the course. It can also damage the lawnmowers. If you read the rules you can cheat 18 times on a golf course. When you put the ball on the tee.

Answer 6

when u hit irons your suppose to make a divot using tees will only hinder ur advancement in the game.

Answer 7

well I use tees because I'am a begginer too!!!But you might wanna ask just in case!!!

Answer 8

You might be saving the turf on a course but teeing up balls because you are beginners is a " NO-NO ". The advice is very simple. Take a couple of lessons before you wander onto a course. Learn to hit shots properly. Learn the clubs you should use, Learn the Etiquette of the game, which is the very first section of the rule book. Learn to respect other players, Then when you have been properly instructed and go to the course to play, always keep up with the group in front of you and not ahead of the group behind you.

Answer 9

No one would object if you teed it up in the fairway.  It will give you more confidence, and speed up play.  But you shouldn't have to wait until the people ahead of you have completed the hole before you begin.  Once they are about 250 yards away you can tee off.

Answer 10

I actually took a few lessons a few years ago and the pro reworked my swing from scratch; grip, address, swing, follow-through, everything. As a result, I was pretty screwed up for a while and felt like a beginner. Because he feared I might just give up and quit or revert to my previous swing out of frustration, he stressed practice while enjoying the game. He actually suggested that I tee the ball in the fairway until I felt comfortable enough with my revamped swing to play 'by the rules'.

Don't worry about what the 'purists' think, the idea is to have fun. You are able to play faster and enjoy it more, which will keep you coming back. As you improve, lower the tee or stop using one.

I suspect the same 'purists' who complain about you using a tee in the fairway take as gimmes any putt inside three feet.

Answer 11

Please remember one special rule.

Have Fun!

If the professional rules get in the way of FUN, then use your own rules until you are better at the game.

To make hitting off the ground easier, don't use those rubber mats at driving ranges. They get you into a bad habit of not wanting to hit the ground under the ball.

If you can't practise on grass, then take a bucket of sand they use for divots and put the ball on a little mound for the ball.

Good luck out there

Answer 12

Absolutely! It is fine to use a tee any ware on the course when you are learning the game. Hitting a ball off the ground or out of high rough is very difficult. Improve you lie, role it, move the ball out form behind a tree, tee it up in the fairway; give yourself a chance to hit a good shot. As you learn you will want to try more difficult shots, but for now approach every shot with confidence and a good lie.

When you are leaning, remember the double par rule, on a par 3 your 6th shot is your last (par 4, 8 shots, par 5, 10 shots), pick the ball up and move on. This is for the good of the course, pace of play, and etiquette.