Wood vs. Plastic Golf Tees: What Are the Best Golf Tees for Your Game?

If you've spent any time scrolling through golf forums or chatting with your playing partners, you've probably heard the debate: wood golf tees or plastic? Everyone has an opinion, and the comments section gets heated. So let's settle this once and for all — what are the best golf tees, and what golf tees do pros use?

Spoiler alert: there's no single "right" answer, but there are some compelling reasons why wood and bamboo tees might be the better choice for your game (and your gear).

What Golf Tees Do Pros Use?

Here's the thing about pros — they're split. Some use plastic tees for consistency, while others stick with traditional wood. Why? Because at the professional level, it comes down to personal preference and what feels right in their pre-shot routine. Tiger Woods has been spotted using both, depending on conditions. Rory McIlroy? Same story.

The takeaway? Even the best players in the world don't universally agree, which means you get to choose what works for you.

The Real Difference Between Plastic vs Wood Golf Tees

Let's break down what actually matters when you're choosing between plastic and wood golf tees.

Clean Contact Every Time

Wood tees snap away on impact — your club moves through freely without catching or sticking. Plastic tees, especially the brush-style ones, can interfere with your swing path. That slight resistance? It's enough to throw off your contact, especially if you're working on swing consistency.

When you're trying to pure a drive down the fairway, you want nothing getting in the way. Wood gives you that crisp, clean feeling every single time.

Your Driver Deserves Better

You invested serious money in that driver. Wood and bamboo tees compress on impact instead of creating friction against your club face. Plastic is harder and creates more wear over time — it's a small difference per swing, but it absolutely adds up over hundreds of rounds.

Think of it this way: would you rather have something soft that absorbs impact, or something hard that grinds against your $500+ investment? Your driver will thank you.

Course Maintenance Crews Will Thank You Too

Here's something most golfers don't think about: course maintenance crews actually hate plastic tees. They jam up mowers and equipment, creating extra work and potentially damaging expensive machinery.

Wood and bamboo tees? They biodegrade naturally or get mulched right into the turf harmlessly. When you're playing the same courses week after week, leaving them better than you found them matters. Plus, plastic fragments sit in fairways for years while wood tees return to the earth in weeks.

The Consistency Myth

"But plastic tees are more consistent!" Sure, if you're using regular wood tees. But what if you could get the same consistency with wood?

Striped wood tees solve this problem completely. Each stripe marks a specific height — tee up to the same stripe every time and you get perfect consistency without sacrificing any of wood's benefits. Want to adjust for wind or a different shot? Use a different stripe or grab a regular tee. You get flexibility and precision.

That Feedback Though

There's something about the sound and feel when you connect perfectly with a wood tee. It's instant feedback that you've made solid contact. Some golfers say it's just nostalgia, but golf is full of little rituals that build confidence. If that satisfying "crack" helps you feel more connected to your swing, that's not nothing.

Best Golf Tees: What to Look For

When you're shopping for the best golf tees, here's what actually matters:

Material quality: Look for sustainably sourced bamboo or hardwood that won't splinter
Height options: Different tees for different clubs, or striped tees for adjustable height
Durability: Good wood tees should last several drives before breaking
Design: Because why not have fun with it?

Why Cute Golf Tees Matter More Than You Think

Here's something nobody talks about in the plastic vs wood golf tees debate: your gear should make you smile.

Our women's golf tees collection features fun sayings and cute designs that give you a tiny moment of joy before every drive. Whether it's our You Got This Bitch golf tees for when you need that confidence boost, our Coastal Grandma tees for those chill rounds, or our Sweet Birdie golf tees that bring the good vibes — your tees can be part of your game day mindset.

Golf is hard enough. Playing with gear that feels like you makes it more fun.

The Bottom Line on Wood vs Plastic Golf Tees

If you're still using plastic tees, that's totally fine — everyone's game is different. But if you've been curious about making the switch to wood or bamboo, here's what you're getting:

• Cleaner contact that doesn't interfere with your swing
• Better protection for your expensive clubs
• Eco-friendly choice that course crews appreciate
• Consistency when you want it (with striped tees)
• Designs that actually make you smile

The best golf tees are the ones that give you confidence when you step up to the tee box. For a lot of golfers, that means going back to wood — just with a modern upgrade.

Ready to try the difference? Check out our Zesty golf tees for bold energy, or browse our full women's golf tees collection to find your perfect match. Because your game deserves gear that performs and makes you feel like the golfer you are.

And while you're at it, our What Like It's Hard ball marker is the perfect complement to your new tees — because confidence starts with the details.