How to Hit Irons Off the Tee
Using a tee when hitting your iron shots is an opportunity to give your ball the ‘perfect lie’ and learning how to hit this shot consistently can give players a significant advantage when playing par-3’s, as well as longer holes with narrow fairways. The rules of golf allow players to place the ball on the tee any time the shot being played is any ‘tee shot’ or initial shot on that hole. Learning how to hit irons like these off the tee is a matter of understanding how to alter tee height when hitting irons versus when hitting driver. It’s not difficult to learn and can provide an extra weapon in your golf arsenal.
The Tee is the Key
I know it sounds funny, but that’s what makes it easy to remember. The tee – or more specifically how high the ball is teed up – determines how consistently your iron shots off the tee will be. The main point to remember is that the ball needs to be teed up much closer to the ground when using an iron versus when using a driver. This will make it easier to hit down on the ball, which provides the necessary backspin to create lift and provide a high-arcing flight path, especially once you master the ideal iron swing. Also, it is imperative to ensure that the ball is teed high enough so that it is possible to get the entire club face on the ball.
How to Hit Irons Off The Tee – Right and Wrong Tee Heights
The image to the left is an example of a ball that is teed up too high to consistently hit solid iron shots. This is an ideal tee-height for hitting a driver from, but is not ideal when hitting irons off the tee. When the ball is teed high as in the image to the left, it becomes much more likely to a) not hit down on the ball and b) hit beneath the ball and pop-it up high without any distance.
Now imagine the hand in the photo continued to insert the tee into the ground until the surrounding fingers were ‘pinched’ between the ball and the ground. This would approach the ideal tee height for playing iron shots from the tee. Personally, I like the ball teed-up even closer to the ground so that I can’t even fit my index finger between the ball and the ground.
The image to the left is closer to what I consider an ideal teed-up ball height at address and is probably the most 
frequently used by beginners when learning how to hit irons off the tee. I prefer the ball slightly closer to the ground when I play my iron tee-shots, but I think the difference between the wrong tee-height in the image above and the more ideal tee-height (to the left) is fairly obvious.
Remember when playing any iron shots, the clubface at address needs to be square and the ideal contact is a descending blow starting just below the center line of the ball. Check out more specifics about how improving your iron play can help lower your score.
Conclusion
Finally, just remember this simple catchphrase when playing your next iron shot off the tee: ‘The tee (height) is the key!’ Try to keep the pictures above in mind as you set your ball and always take advantage of the opportunity to give yourself ‘a perfect lie’. The PGA Tour pros would never miss such an opportunity and you shouldn’t either.
Golf Iron Tips for Beginners
Most Forgiving Irons – Beginners Sets
All good ideas, Thank you. I will be 76 at the end of August and on Friday July 26 I parred the course for the first time in my life.
Tips like these have helped me it also generates interest.
Bud Wylie.
Hi Bud!
Thanks for your comment! I’m glad that you find my golf tutorial articles and ones like it helpful. If you are going to be 76 and are a scratch golfer maybe YOU should be writing golf articles! LOL…
Please stop by anytime and feel free to comment – I try to respond as soon as I see that someone has left a comment.
Keep up the great golfing, Bud!
Great tips on teeing up the ball for iron tee shots, I tend to hit the ball fat and my club front doesn’t seem to touch the ground! Maybe something I need to work on .. great tips keep them coming ???♂️??♂️
I use the plastic tee to try and achieve a consistent ball height, from a tee box I usually use a blue tee but when I feel I really need to get under the ball I try a red one. ?
Tony E,
I can’t tell if you’re joking or maybe had a few cocktails before leaving your comment – LOL!!! Please keep the comments coming!
Hi Steve,
I’m glad you like the tips. I always use a tee with my irons (when allowed). I find it easier to hit down on the ball if it is slightly elevated. Please stop by anytime and comment – I always try to respond!
I only play golf occasionally whenever my grandfather wants to bond with me. Thanks for this beginner’s guide especially about how differentiating the right and wrong tee heights, as it would surely impress him if he finds out that I had learned a thing or two next time we play. Maybe I should give him golf-related paraphernalia as a gift on his next birthday.
Hi Alice,
You’re most welcome!! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Please stop back and have a look through my golf equipment and relevant reviews for products you may be interested in purchasing your grandfather for his next birthday gift. There is some fantastic stuff!! Happy Golfing!!
Good day, I struggle with ball striking with my irons, I want to introduce hitting off a tee with my irons during range practice, wiil this help
Hi Don,
I hope you’re well. I wouldn’t recommend practicing hitting the ball off the tee with your irons, unless it’s to practice driving on a par 3 or equivalent driving distances (full swing and rotation). Unfortunately, hitting the ball from the tee in practice may result in a habitual lifting of the club when hitting from the ground in a standard round of golf, resulting in the consistent topping of the ball. I would recommend practicing the fundamentals of striking with irons relative to a standard round of golf (practicing hitting the ball off the ground with your irons only).
This article can be found on the website: How to Fix an Over the Top Golf Swing. I hope this helps and provides some insight and beneficial tips to assist with squarely striking the ball with irons from the ground.
Please feel free to stop by and comment again and as always, happy golfing!