It’s funny how golfers obsess over drivers, irons, and putters, but rarely give much thought to the humble golf tee. I’ll admit—I was the same way for years. Then one day, a playing partner handed me a bamboo tee after I’d snapped my third wooden tee of the round. “Try this,” he said. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole of tee research that I’m about to share with you.

Whether you’re eco-conscious, budget-minded, or just want something that won’t break every other swing, choosing the right tee material actually matters more than you might think. Let me break down everything I’ve learned about bamboo, wood, and plastic golf tees.

The Traditional Choice: Wooden Golf Tees

Wooden tees are the granddaddy of all golf tees. They’ve been around since the 1920s and remain the most popular choice on courses worldwide. Most are made from birch or other hardwoods, and there’s a reason they’ve stood the test of time.

Durability

Let’s be honest—wood tees break. A lot. On average, you’ll get 1-3 good drives before a standard wooden tee snaps. Some premium brands like Pride’s Titanium Strength line claim to last longer, and in my experience, they do hold up slightly better. But if you’re looking for longevity, wood isn’t your best bet.

Eco-Friendliness

Here’s where wood shines. Traditional wooden tees are 100% biodegradable. Leave one on the course (though you shouldn’t), and it’ll break down naturally within a few months. They’re made from renewable resources and have a minimal environmental footprint during manufacturing.

Cost Per Tee

Wooden tees are incredibly affordable—usually around $0.03-0.08 per tee when buying in bulk. However, since you’ll burn through them quickly, your actual cost per round can add up if you’re breaking one every few holes.

Performance

Wood offers excellent stability. The ball sits firmly on a wooden tee without wobbling, which gives many golfers confidence at address. There’s no significant performance advantage or disadvantage compared to other materials—they simply do the job they’ve always done.

Pros:

• Classic feel and appearance
• Completely biodegradable
• Very affordable upfront
• Readily available everywhere

Cons:

• Break frequently
• Higher consumption rate
• Can splinter and scratch clubs

The Sustainable Alternative: Bamboo Golf Tees

Bamboo tees have exploded in popularity over the past decade, and for good reason. Bamboo isn’t technically wood—it’s a grass—and that distinction gives it some unique advantages.

Durability

This is where bamboo really shines. Bamboo’s natural fiber structure makes it significantly stronger than traditional hardwood. I typically get 5-10 uses from a quality bamboo tee, sometimes more. They’re far less likely to snap on impact because the fibers bend rather than break.

Eco-Friendliness

Bamboo is the sustainability superstar. It’s the fastest-growing plant on Earth, regenerating without replanting after harvest. It requires no pesticides, minimal water, and absorbs more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees. Plus, bamboo tees are fully biodegradable. If you want the greenest option, this is it.

Cost Per Tee

Bamboo tees typically cost $0.08-0.15 per tee—slightly more than wood upfront. But here’s the thing: since they last 3-5 times longer, your actual cost per round is often lower than wood. It’s a classic case of spending more to save more.

Performance

Some golfers report that bamboo tees reduce friction at impact, which could theoretically add a few yards. I haven’t noticed a dramatic difference personally, but the reduced surface contact area on some bamboo designs does seem to allow the ball to launch slightly cleaner. At minimum, they perform identically to wood.

Pros:

• 3-5x more durable than wood
• Most eco-friendly option
• Biodegradable
• Better long-term value
• Won’t scratch your driver

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost
• Less available in pro shops
• Some golfers find them “different”

The Modern Option: Plastic Golf Tees

Plastic tees represent the technology-forward approach to teeing up. They come in countless designs—from simple traditional shapes to elaborate 3-prong and 5-prong configurations that promise reduced friction and more distance.

Durability

Plastic wins the durability contest hands-down. A quality plastic tee can last an entire round, sometimes multiple rounds. The 3-prong designs from brands like Zero Friction can go 50+ drives without showing significant wear. If you hate constantly reaching for new tees, plastic is your answer.

Eco-Friendliness

This is plastic’s Achilles heel. Traditional plastic tees aren’t biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Lost plastic tees contribute to microplastic pollution on courses. Some manufacturers now offer biodegradable plastic alternatives, but they’re not as widely available.

Cost Per Tee

Plastic tees cost $0.15-0.40 per tee depending on the design. That sounds expensive, but factor in reusability and they often work out to the cheapest option per round. Buy a pack of 30 prong-style tees and they could last you a full season.

Performance

Here’s where it gets interesting. Prong-design plastic tees (like Zero Friction) genuinely reduce ball-tee contact, which can decrease spin and potentially add distance. PGA Tour players have won multiple events using 3-prong plastic tees. Whether that translates to measurable gains for amateurs is debatable, but the reduced friction is real.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Potential performance benefits
• Lowest cost per round
• Won’t scratch clubs
• Various innovative designs

Cons:

• Not eco-friendly
• Can fly farther when hit (harder to find)
• Some golfers find them “gimmicky”
• Not allowed in all tournaments

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here’s how the three materials stack up across key factors:

Factor	Wood	Bamboo	Plastic
Durability	1-3 uses	5-10 uses	20-50+ uses
Eco-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐
Upfront Cost	$0.03-0.08/tee	$0.08-0.15/tee	$0.15-0.40/tee
Cost Per Round	$0.50-1.00	$0.30-0.60	$0.10-0.30
Performance	Standard	Standard-Good	Good (reduced friction)
Availability	Everywhere	Good	Good
Club Friendly	Can scratch	Very safe	Very safe

Which Golf Tee Material Should You Choose?

After testing all three extensively, here’s my advice based on what matters most to you:

Choose Wood If…

• You’re a traditionalist who loves the classic feel
• You want something readily available at any course
• Upfront cost is your primary concern
• You don’t mind breaking tees frequently

Choose Bamboo If…

• Environmental impact matters to you
• You want the best balance of durability and eco-friendliness
• You’re tired of breaking wooden tees constantly
• You want biodegradable tees that actually last

Choose Plastic If…

• Maximum durability is your priority
• You want potential performance benefits
• You’re focused on lowest cost per round
• Environmental concerns aren’t your top priority

My personal pick? I’ve switched to bamboo for my everyday rounds. The durability upgrade over wood is dramatic, and I feel better about not leaving plastic on the course. For serious competition rounds, I’ll sometimes switch to plastic prong tees for the reduced friction—every little bit helps when there’s money on the line.

Recommended Products

Best Bamboo Golf Tees

Juvale 300 Pack Bamboo Golf Tees (2-3/4″) — Outstanding value for bulk buyers. 300 tees at an affordable price, and they’re surprisingly durable. Perfect for golfers who want to try bamboo without a big investment.

MAZEL Natural Bamboo Golf Tees Variety Pack — Includes multiple sizes (1-1/2″, 2-1/8″, 2-3/4″, and 3-1/4″) so you have the right tee for every club. Great quality and excellent for golfers who use different tee heights.

Best Wooden Golf Tees

Pride Professional Tee System (PTS) Golf Tees – 100 Count — The gold standard in wooden tees. Color-coded bands help you achieve consistent tee height every time. Used by more tour players than any other wooden tee.

Pride Titanium Strength Wood Golf Tees – 2 Pack — Pride’s premium offering with enhanced durability. If you’re committed to wood but want something that lasts longer than standard tees, these are worth the upgrade.

Best Plastic Golf Tees

Zero Friction Tour 3-Prong Golf Tees — The most popular prong tee on tour. The 3-prong design genuinely reduces friction and these tees last forever. Multiple PGA Tour wins behind this design.

PrideSports PTS Plastic Golf Tees – Combo 50 Pack — From the same company that dominates wooden tees. This combo includes 40 long tees and 10 short tees. Traditional cup design but with the durability of plastic.

Zero Friction Victory 5-Prong Golf Tees — The 5-prong design offers even less contact than the 3-prong version. Some golfers swear by these for maximizing distance off the tee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do golf tee materials actually affect distance?

The difference is minimal but real. Reduced-friction plastic tees (like 3-prong designs) can decrease backspin slightly, potentially adding 1-3 yards for high swing speed players. For most recreational golfers, the difference is negligible compared to other swing factors.

Are bamboo tees really stronger than wooden tees?

Yes. Bamboo’s parallel grain structure and natural silica content make it approximately 2-3 times stronger than birch wood. In practical terms, expect 3-5 times more uses from a bamboo tee compared to a standard wooden tee.

Are plastic golf tees legal for tournaments?

Yes, plastic tees conform to the Rules of Golf and are legal in virtually all tournaments. However, some club competitions may have local rules about tee types, so check before competing.

What’s the most environmentally friendly golf tee?

Bamboo is the clear winner. It’s biodegradable, comes from a rapidly renewable resource that doesn’t require replanting, and has a smaller carbon footprint than both wood and plastic during manufacturing.

Why do some golfers avoid plastic tees?

Main reasons include environmental concerns, the perception that plastic tees feel “cheap” or “gimmicky,” and the fact that plastic tees can fly farther when struck, making them harder to retrieve. Some traditionalists also simply prefer the classic look and feel of wood.

How many tees should I carry per round?

For wood: 15-20 tees. For bamboo: 8-12 tees. For plastic: 4-6 tees. These numbers account for breakage, loss, and giving one to a playing partner.

The Bottom Line

There’s no universally “best” golf tee material—it depends on your priorities. Wood offers tradition and availability, bamboo delivers sustainability and durability, and plastic provides longevity and potential performance benefits.

My recommendation? Buy a small pack of each and see what feels right for your game. You might be surprised—I certainly was when I made the switch from wood to bamboo. That simple change has saved me money, reduced my environmental footprint, and eliminated the frustration of constantly snapping tees.

Whatever you choose, the best tee is the one you have confidence in. Now get out there and stripe one down the middle!