A standard golf tee is 2.125" (two and one eighth inches) long, but both longer and shorter tees are permitted and are preferred by some players. Conventional golf tees resemble extra short knitting nails with a small cup on the head on top of which the ball can rest for an easier shot. They are usually made of wood or plastic and are generally very inexpensive as a player may easily damage or break many of these tees during the course of a round.

The length of tees varies according to the club intended to be used and by personal preference; longer tees (3-3.5") allow the player to position the ball higher off the ground while remaining stable when planted, and are generally used for modern drivers. They can be planted deeper for use with other clubs. Shorter tees (2-2.5") are suitable for most other clubs and are more easily inserted than a long tee.