Tees, ball markers and divot tools are among the cheapest items in your bag, but you use them on almost every hole. Choosing the right tees helps you set the correct height for each club, a good ball marker makes life on the green easier, and a divot tool lets you repair pitch marks properly. Here's what you need to know.
Golf tees
Lengths
| Length | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Short (about 1.5 to 2 inches) | Irons, hybrids, fairway woods |
| Standard (about 2.75 inches) | Most clubs, including drivers with smaller heads |
| Long (about 3.25 inches or more) | Modern large drivers |
Materials
- Wood: traditional and biodegradable, but break easily.
- Bamboo: durable and sustainable.
- Plastic: very durable; some have low-friction tops or height guides.
- Step or castle tees: fixed heights for consistency.
Pick up broken tees and dispose of them responsibly.
Tee height
| Club | Tee height |
|---|---|
| Driver | About half the ball above the top of the face |
| Fairway wood | Very low, just off the grass |
| Hybrid | Very low |
| Irons | Low, the ball just above the grass |
Read how to hit a driver and how to stop skying the driver.
Ball markers
Types
- Flat coin-style markers.
- Magnetic markers that attach to hat clips or gloves.
- Personalised markers, popular as gifts. Read gift ideas for golfers.
- Coins work perfectly well.
How to mark your ball
- Place the marker directly behind or beside the ball.
- Lift and clean the ball.
- Replace the ball in front of the marker, then remove the marker.
- If your marker is on someone's line, move it a putter-head length to the side using a reference point, and remember to move it back.
Read putting green rules.
Divot tools (pitch-mark repairers)
How to repair a pitch mark
- Insert the tool at the edge of the mark, at an angle.
- Push the edges gently in towards the centre, working around the mark.
- Don't lift the centre: it tears the roots.
- Tap the surface flat with your putter.
Repair your own pitch marks and one more. Read golf course maintenance explained and golf etiquette 101.
Types
- Two-prong traditional tools.
- Single-prong and switchblade designs.
- Combined tools with ball markers.
What else is useful
- Towel for cleaning clubs and balls.
- Brush or groove tool. Read golf club grooves explained.
- Ball line marker. Read golf ball alignment lines.
Read essential golf accessories.
Frequently asked questions
What length tee should I use for a driver?
A long tee, about 3.25 inches or more, for modern large-headed drivers.
How high should I tee my driver?
So about half the ball sits above the top of the club face at address.
What's the correct way to repair a pitch mark?
Push the edges in towards the centre, then tap it flat. Don't lift the centre.
Can I use a coin as a ball marker?
Yes, a coin or any small flat object works.
The bottom line
Tees, markers and divot tools are small but essential. Use the right tee length and height for each club, mark your ball correctly on the green and repair pitch marks properly. For more kit advice, read what clubs to carry.