Teeing Up in Front of the Markers
Also known as: tee up in front of the markers, teed off in front of the tee markers, teeing outside the teeing area, playing from outside the teeing area, ahead of the tee markers, wrong tee box, teed off from the wrong tees
If you tee off in front of the markers in stroke play, you get two penalty strokes and must replay from inside the teeing area. The first shot does not count. In match play there is no penalty, but your opponent may cancel the stroke and make you replay it.
This is Rule 6.1b. The teeing area is a rectangle. Its front edge is the line between the front points of the two tee markers, and it runs two club-lengths back. Your ball is inside if any part of it touches or is above that area. You may stand outside it.
In stroke play, the general penalty applies. The ball you hit from outside is not in play, and strokes with it do not count. Hit again from inside the area. If you do not correct it before teeing off on the next hole, or before returning your card on the last hole, you are disqualified.
The same applies if you tee off from the wrong set of tees. In match play, the opponent must cancel the stroke promptly, before either of you plays again.
Tips by skill level
Before you tee up, glance at the line between the markers. Keep the ball behind it.
On a tight hole, use the full two club-lengths of depth to find a flat lie or a better angle.
Example
In a stroke-play event, a golfer tees up a few inches ahead of the markers. Her marker points it out. She adds two strokes and hits again from inside the teeing area.
Why it matters
This penalty is easy to avoid and easy to forget to correct. Missing the correction means disqualification.
Common mistakes
- Teeing the ball a few inches past the line between the markers
- Not replaying the shot after being told
- Moving a tee marker that is in the way
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I tee off from the wrong tees?
In stroke play it is two penalty strokes, and you must replay from the correct teeing area. In match play your opponent may cancel the stroke.
Can I stand outside the tee box when I tee off?
Yes. Only the ball needs to be inside the teeing area. You may stand outside it.
Sources
Related terms
- Parts of a Golf Course (Tee Box, Fairway, Rough, Fringe and Green)A golf hole runs from the teeing area, or tee box, to the putting green, where the hole or cup sits. The fairway is the closely mown strip between them. The rough is the longer grass around it, and the fringe or apron is the short collar around the green.
- Which Side of the Tee Box to Tee Up OnTee up on the same side as the trouble you want to avoid, then aim away from it. If out of bounds runs down the right, tee up near the right marker and aim toward the left half of the fairway. This angle gives your shot more room to curve away from danger.
- Which Tees to PlayPlay the tees whose total length lets you reach greens with clubs you hit well. The USGA's Best Tees guidance uses your 7-iron carry. About 125 yards suits a course of 5,400 to 5,600 yards, and about 140 yards suits 5,900 to 6,100 yards.
- Order of Play and the HonorOn the first tee, the order is set by the draw or by agreement, such as a coin toss. After that, the player with the lowest score on the last hole tees off first; this is called having the honor. Once everyone has teed off, the ball farthest from the hole is played first.
Related guides & benchmarks
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