[Kim Maengnyoung's Golf English Conversation] "Tee Box Strategy Tips"

By strategically utilizing the tee box according to the lie, you can lower your score.

The tee shot begins with placing the tee in the tee box.

Of course, there are tips for using the tee box to ensure a safe tee shot. This helps you avoid out-of-bounds (OB) or trouble shots while also lowering your score (Choosing the right tee box will lower your scores). Amateur golfers usually place their tee in the center because they are not fully aware of their shot shape. However, this approach does not allow for strategic play (Don't just tee it up in the middle of the tee box).

Professional golfers, on the other hand, freely use the left or right side of the tee box depending on their course strategy (They use the whole tee box). If you tend to hit fades or slices, teeing off from the right side of the tee box and aiming down the left side of the fairway is effective (Tee off on the right side of tee box and aim down the left side of fairway). Even if you hit a severe slice, the ball will still land on the right side of the fairway.

Conversely, if you often hit draws or hooks, teeing off from the left side of the tee box and aiming down the right side of the fairway is recommended (Teeing off on the left side of the tee box and aiming down the right side of fairway). The ball will start to the right but curve back to the left. This is the secret to keeping your draw shots on the fairway. During actual rounds, you will often hear caddies advise, "Be careful, this is a slice hole."

The key is to align your stance, feet, shoulders, and gaze all toward the left target direction at address. If you only align your shoulders and gaze while leaving your body behind, your swing path will become outside-in, causing the ball to slice even more to the right. In summary, if you want to send the ball left, use the right side of the tee box; if you want to aim for the right side of the fairway, use the left side of the tee box.

A: This is a long par 4 with a dogleg to the left. Which direction should I shoot?

B: Tee off the left side of tee box and aim down the left side of fairway.

A: Where do I aim, if a deep bunker is down the left-hand side of the rough?

B: Start with teeing off on the right side of the tee box and aiming down the left side of fairway.

A: Thanks.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist