Should You Use a Tee on a Par 3? The Jack Nicklaus Advice That Can Help

The Jack Nicklaus Advice: Take the Better Lie

A well-known piece of advice attributed to Jack Nicklaus is that golfers should use a tee whenever the rules allow because air offers less resistance than the ground.

"Air offers less resistance than the ground."

— Jack Nicklaus, 18-Time Major Champion

Although different versions of this advice have circulated over the years, the reasoning makes sense. The teeing area is the only place on a hole where you can legally use a tee to create an almost perfect lie.

Why pass up that opportunity?

According to USGA Rule 6.2, you may play the ball from a tee or directly from the ground when starting a hole. You may even use a broken or abandoned tee left behind by another golfer.

Even well-maintained par-3 tee boxes can be uneven or covered with old divots. A low tee lets you avoid those damaged areas and place the ball at a consistent height every time.

You do not need to tee the ball noticeably into the air. With an iron, the goal is simply to create the cleanest fairway lie possible.

When deciding should you use a tee on a par 3, remember that the goal is not to launch the ball like a driver. You are simply giving yourself a cleaner lie.

Should You Use a Tee on a Par 3 for Better Contact?

Using a tee will not automatically add distance to an iron shot. However, it may help you make cleaner contact and produce more consistent launch conditions.

In a recent comparison of iron shots hit from the turf and a low tee, MyGolfSpy found that the teed shots did not carry farther. They did, however, produce approximately 200 rpm more backspin, along with a slightly higher flight and steeper landing angle.

That combination may help an approach shot stop sooner after landing, especially when the greens are firm. You can read the complete MyGolfSpy tee-versus-turf test for its testing process and results.

A low tee can also give you a little more margin for error. It will not prevent every fat or thin shot, but it provides a clean, repeatable lie with less grass between the ball and clubface.

The advantage may be small, but golf is a game in which small advantages can make a difference.

Can You Still Hit a Fat Shot When Using a Tee?

Yes. A tee does not fix poor contact.

If your club hits the ground several inches behind the ball, you will probably still hit a heavy shot. The tee simply provides a cleaner lie and a little extra room beneath the ball.

You should still make your normal iron swing and strike the ball with a descending blow. Do not try to help the ball into the air just because it is sitting on a tee.

How High Should You Tee an Iron on a Par 3?

One of the most common mistakes is teeing an iron too high.

If too much of the tee is showing, you may strike the ball high on the clubface. This can produce a weak shot that launches higher than expected and comes up short.

The answer to should you use a tee on a par 3 also depends on how high you position the ball. The longer the club, the more room you can generally leave between the ball and the turf.

Here is a simple starting point:

These are starting points rather than strict measurements. The right height depends on your club, swing and preferred ball flight. I use these general tee heights because they give me a consistent setup without making me change my normal swing.

When Should You Hit Directly From the Turf?

Using a tee is usually the safer option, but it is not mandatory.

If you are still wondering should you use a tee on a par 3, consider the condition of the tee box and the type of shot you want to play.

Some golfers feel more comfortable hitting an iron directly from a good patch of grass. Playing from the turf may also make sense when you want to flight the ball lower into the wind and already know how that shot reacts.

The downside is that you give up some control over the lie. If the tee box is wet, uneven or filled with divots, using a low tee is usually the more practical choice.