What Tee Should I play From? Rule of 28

Published on September 5, 2026 at 10:43 AM

First and foremost, enjoy the game, drop the testosterone!

Average Drive Course Tee Box
170-180 Yards 4,760-5,040 Forward Tee
180 -200 Yards 5,040 - 5,600 Green
200-220 Yards 5,600-6,160 White/Green
220-240 Yards 6,160-6,720 White
240 + 6,720 + Blue

Why it matters

  • Par-4s should be reachable in 2 shots with a mid-iron after your drive 

  • Playing too far forward can add 5–10 strokes for amateurs and slow pace of play stymie.golf.

  • Playing the right tees can save you ~1.5 shots for every 200 yards you play beyond your ideal length www.golfraw.com.

Tip: If you’re unsure of your carry, use a launch monitor or GPS app for accuracy, and always choose the tee set closest to your calculated yardage — not the one that makes the game hardest 

 

Another thought  : If you cannot reach the 150-160 marker from the tee box, think about moving up. You should be able to reach the par 4  with your 2nd shot.

Choosing the Right Tee use “Rule of 28”

The “Rule of 28” says: multiply your average driver carry distance (in yards) by 28 — the result is the total course yardage you should be playing from 

How to apply it

  1. Find your average driver carry

    • Use your carry distance (ball in the air), not total distance with roll.

    • Measure it over 10–20 drives at the range or with a GPS app on course 

    • Example: If your average carry is 220 yards.

  2. Multiply by 28

    • 220 × 28 = 6,160 yards total course length 

  3. Match to the course’s tee sets

    • Look at the scorecard’s total yardage for each tee set.

    • Pick the set closest to your calculated total.

    • If you’re between two sets, round down to the shorter one