If you’re new to golf, you’ve probably stood on the first tee box wondering, Am I supposed to play from back here? Maybe your friends went to the middle tees, or you saw others head to the very front. You might feel unsure, a little embarrassed, or even intimidated.
Let’s clear that up right now: Yes, it is absolutely okay to play from the forward tees as a beginner. In fact, it might be the smartest move you can make for both your enjoyment and development.
What are the forward tees?
Forward tees, sometimes called the “red tees” or “front tees,” are the tee boxes set closest to the hole. They’re designed to shorten the length of each hole, making the course more manageable for players who don’t hit the ball as far or who are still learning the game.
Despite outdated labels that once associated forward tees only with women, they’re actually for anyone who would benefit from a shorter, more accessible layout.
Why beginners should start from the front
1. It makes the game more fun
Golf is a challenge no matter where you play from, but starting on a 400-yard hole when you only hit your drive 150 yards can feel defeating. By playing from the front tees, you give yourself a real chance to reach the green in fewer strokes and enjoy more scoring opportunities.
Fun and confidence should come before ego. And you know what’s really fun? Making a par. Or better yet, a birdie. You’ll give yourself more of those chances from the forward tees.
2. You’ll play faster
New golfers often worry about slowing down the group behind them. By using the forward tees, you’ll shorten the holes and spend less time trying to advance the ball 50 yards at a time. That keeps things moving and helps everyone enjoy the round.
Faster rounds also mean less frustration and fatigue for you, which makes the experience way more enjoyable.
3. You can focus on learning, not surviving
Early on, your focus should be on making solid contact, learning distance control, and developing feel around the greens. When you start from the forward tees, you remove unnecessary pressure and allow yourself to build those skills with more frequent scoring chances.
Instead of grinding to reach the green in five or six shots, you might actually get there in three or four. That shift can make practice on the course feel like progress rather than punishment.
4. It builds confidence
Confidence is everything in golf. If you start your round by topping three drives in a row from the back tees, you might spend the rest of the day frustrated and discouraged.
On the other hand, if you start from a tee box that matches your skill and allows you to hit shorter clubs into greens, you’ll feel more capable and excited about the game. The more you enjoy it, the more you’ll want to keep improving.
Playing forward is not “cheating”
Some beginners hesitate because they think forward tees are only for people who “can’t play real golf.” That idea is outdated and just flat-out wrong.
Every golf course is designed to be played from multiple tees. Each set exists to give all types of players the same experience: an opportunity to hit different types of shots, manage risk and reward, and play the game in a way that challenges but doesn’t overwhelm.
Golf is supposed to be challenging, but it’s also supposed to be fair and fun. Choosing tees that fit your current ability is part of playing smart golf.
How to choose the right tees for your game
While there’s no universal rule, here are a few simple guidelines that can help you decide where to start:
- If your driver goes under 200 yards, start from the forward tees
- If you’re brand new or play less than once a month, forward tees are perfect
- If you’ve never broken 100, shorter tees will help you learn the game faster
- If you’re playing with better golfers, it’s still perfectly okay to play a different set
Some courses even offer “combo tees” or modified beginner tees that fall between the forward and middle tees. Don’t hesitate to ask the starter or pro shop for advice—they want you to enjoy your round and will gladly recommend the right setup.
As you improve, you can move back
There’s no need to rush into longer tees just because your friends do. Golf is a personal journey, and moving back should come naturally as your distance, consistency, and comfort grow. Some golfers stay on the forward tees for years and love it. Others gradually shift back as they start hitting longer drives and shooting lower scores.
The important part is that you’re playing golf, learning, and having fun. Tee box choice doesn’t define your skill. Your effort, attitude, and enjoyment do.
Final thoughts
Playing from the forward tees is not just okay—it’s smart. It helps you play faster, learn more efficiently, and enjoy the game right from your very first round. Don’t let old stereotypes or outside opinions steer you away from a better experience.
Golf is about making the game work for you. The right tee box is wherever you can play confidently, fairly, and with a smile on your face. So grab your clubs, head to the front, and swing away.
Let’s hear from you
Did you start from the forward tees? Are you still playing them today? Share your experience, what helped you the most, and any advice you’d give to someone stepping onto the course for the first time.
4 Comments
Forward or red tees also work well with experienced, older golfers (>75). More fun and enjoyable when you don’t have to hit D, 3W, 9I just to reach a par 4.
IMO, you play from the tees that give you a decent, 50/50 I’d say, chance of making the green in regulation. At 76 and a former blue or white player for 50ish years I just can’t hit my driver more than 200 yards any more. So, I’m a forward tee player and as a 15 handicapper, I shoot darn close to net par every time I play which is twice a week.
group i play with has those of use over 80 to play 25 yds closer to green which works i drive 150 so now im closer to green., is there any ruiles about playing by age
I understand the reasons why shorter hitters would want to play from closer tees (and I find a lot of posts and articles similar to this one). But what I haven’t been able to find (despite copious searching) is a good explanation of why (or when) someone would want to move back to playing longer tees. I do understand the incentive to play from the white tees, rather than the red ones, since the latter are still most often called the “women’s tees,” and there’s a fair amount of male ego at stake here. But what’s the point–what’s the advantage–of moving from the whites to the blues, other than sheer ego? The handicap system already accounts for the tees you play from, and as near as I can figure, moving back to the blues just raises your (pre-handicap) scores. So what’s the point of moving back from the whites to the blues? And at what point in the development of their games, should players consider moving back?