White tees are the middle-distance tees on most golf courses. They sit between the longer blue or black tees and the shorter gold and red tees. If you have ever stood on the first tee wondering what are the white tees in golf, you are not alone.
Tee box colors look simple, but they shape how long your round feels and how fairly your handicap works. This guide explains white tees, compares them with blue, gold, and red tees, and helps you choose the right set for your game.
What Are the White Tees in Golf?
- White tees are a set of tee markers placed at a medium distance from the green.
- On many courses, they act as the standard tees for the average adult male golfer.
- They play longer than the red and gold tees.
- They play shorter than the blue and black tees.
- Most amateur golfers play from the white tees because the length suits a moderate swing speed.
- Every hole lists its own white tee yardage on the scorecard and the yardage book.
- The color is a courtesy label, not a strict rule, so courses can set up their markers in their own way.
White Tee Yardage and Difficulty
- An 18-hole course usually plays about 5,900 to 6,500 yards from the white tees.
- Par-3 holes often fall between 130 and 180 yards.
- Exact numbers change from course to course, so always check the scorecard.
- A short executive course may have white tees well under 5,500 yards.
- A championship layout may stretch its white tees beyond 6,500 yards.
- The white tees give a fair test without the full length of the back tees.
Who Should Play the White Tees?
- Golfers who drive the ball about 220 to 250 yards are a good fit.
- Mid-handicap players usually enjoy the balance of challenge and fun.
- Strong women golfers who want more length can choose white tees too.
- Juniors moving up from the forward tees often step onto the white tees next.
- Seniors who still hit the ball with power may prefer white over gold.
Golf Tee Box Colors Meaning
Most courses order their tee colors from the longest set to the shortest.
The usual sequence runs black, blue, white, gold, and red.
- Black tees: the longest tees, built for low-handicap players and championship play.
- Blue tees: the back tees for skilled amateurs who hit the ball far.
- White tees: the middle tees and the most common choice for everyday golfers.
- Gold tees: a forward-middle option, often used by seniors and shorter hitters.
- Red tees: the shortest tees, popular with beginners, juniors, and many women.
- Other colors: some courses add green, yellow, orange, or purple markers.
Golf’s rules do not demand a universal color code.
Some courses now use numbers, names, or symbols instead of colors.
Always read the scorecard so you know exactly which set you are playing.
What Are Blue Tees in Golf?
Blue tees are usually the back tees, set behind the white tees. They often add several hundred yards to a full round. Many courses play about 6,400 to 6,900 yards from the blue tees. Skilled and low-handicap men often choose them. Longer approach shots and bigger carries over hazards make them harder.
- On some courses, blue is the middle set and black is the longest, so check the card.
- Blue tees are a popular pick for club championships and competitive leagues.
What Are Gold Tees in Golf?
- Gold tees sit between the white tees and the red tees on most courses.
- A typical gold set measures roughly 5,200 to 5,800 yards.
- Many clubs suggest them for senior golfers, often those aged 60 or 65 and above.
- Any golfer who wants a shorter, more relaxed round can play them.
- Some courses call these tees yellow instead of gold.
- A few courses use gold for the longest tees, so confirm the setup before you play.
- Gold tees help golfers who have lost some distance keep reaching greens in regulation.
What Color Are Women’s Tees in Golf?
- Red tees are the traditional women’s tees in golf.
- They usually measure about 4,800 to 5,500 yards.
- Some courses use gold, green, or other colors for women’s tees.
- Tee colors are not limited by gender, and any golfer may choose any set.
- Each set has its own women’s Course Rating and Slope Rating.
- Look for the women’s ratings on a separate row of the scorecard.
- Women who hit the ball farther can move up to the white or gold tees.
- Beginners of any gender often enjoy golf more from the forward tees.
White vs Blue vs Gold vs Red Tees
- White tees: middle length, about 5,900 to 6,500 yards, best for average and mid-handicap players.
- Blue tees: longer, about 6,400 to 6,900 yards, best for strong and low-handicap players.
- Gold tees: shorter, about 5,200 to 5,800 yards, best for seniors and shorter hitters.
- Red tees: shortest, about 4,800 to 5,500 yards, best for beginners, juniors, and many women.
These yardages are common ranges, not official standards.
Your own course may measure a little shorter or longer.
How Tee Color Affects Your Handicap
- Every set of tees has its own Course Rating and Slope Rating.
- Course Rating shows the expected score for a scratch golfer.
- Slope Rating shows how much harder the course plays for a bogey golfer.
- Your score differential uses the ratings of the exact tees you played.
- Learn the math in our guide on how is handicap differential calculated.
- Moving to a different set also changes your strokes for the day.
- See the difference in course handicap vs playing handicap.
- Your Handicap Index stays portable no matter which tees you choose.
- Read more about what is the golf handicap index to see how it travels with you.
- Need help recording your round? Follow this guide on how to keep score in golf with handicap.
How to Choose the Right Tee Box
Start with an honest look at how far you hit your driver. As a rough guide, a 225-yard driver often suits tees near 5,800 to 6,200 yards.
- A 250-yard driver often suits tees near 6,200 to 6,700 yards.
- A 200-yard driver often suits tees near 5,200 to 5,800 yards.
- These ranges are general suggestions, not official rules.
- Pick tees where most par-4 approach shots are mid or short irons.
- Compare Slope Ratings if the course lists several sets.
- Think about pace of play, because playing too far back slows everyone down.
- Try one round, then move up or back a set if it felt too hard or too easy.
- Modern clubs add distance, so read how has golf club technology changed before you judge your yardage.
Tee Colors in Tournaments and Group Play
- Many events assign tees by flight, age group, or handicap range.
- Mixed groups often use a combined or middle set to keep play fair.
- Scrambles and charity events frequently choose the white tees for the whole field.
- Check the format rules first with different types of golf tournament formats.
- Planning your own event? Start with how to organize a golf tournament.
- Learn how entries work in how golf tournament registration works.
- Finish strong with our guide on how to score a golf tournament.
Common Tee Box Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a color means the same distance at every course.
- Playing the back tees for pride instead of enjoyment.
- Ignoring the women’s ratings on the scorecard.
- Posting a score without noting which tees you played.
- Never moving up a set as your game or your body changes.
FAQs About White Tees in Golf
What are the white tees in golf?
They are the middle-distance tees, usually longer than red and gold tees and shorter than blue and black tees.
Are white tees men’s tees?
On many courses they serve as the standard men’s tees, but any golfer can play them.
Are white tees harder than red tees?
Yes, white tees play longer, so they usually ask for more distance and accuracy.
Which tees should a beginner play?
Most beginners enjoy the forward tees, such as red or gold, until their distance and consistency improve.
What do golf tee box colors mean?
They show the length and difficulty of each set, from the longest back tees to the shortest forward tees.
What are blue tees in golf?
Blue tees are usually the back tees, built for skilled players who hit the ball far.
What are gold tees in golf?
Gold tees sit between white and red and often suit seniors and shorter hitters.
Can I play different tees in the same round?
Some courses allow combo tees, so ask the pro shop before you tee off.
Final Thoughts
The white tees are the everyday sweet spot of golf. They offer a real test without the full length of the back tees.
Know your driving distance, read the scorecard, and choose the set that keeps golf fun. Once you pick the right tees, every other part of your game gets easier to enjoy.