Concrete Tees

I don't like dirt/natural tees. In your opinion, how much do concrete tees improve the overall quality of a course? Also, is concrete the best or is something else better?

[Disc nut]

Well, concrete is the best I've played on. I can tell you black top is terrible ,very slippery.Concrete tee pads also provide great traction in wet weather,which equals more distance off the tee.

[Ben Calhoun]

Concrete/cement is usually better, there is no right or wrong. For some, weak knees+cement tees on multiple rounds just makes it tough to play a lot. Grass, dirt or rubber is easier on the body. But then again, you are more likely to slip or pull something on a non-cement tee.
Cement will last the longest, but it needs to be done properly. Too rough- it just shreds your shoe and you can't pivot.
Too smooth- one raindrop or some mud and you slide worse than a rubber tee.
They also should be near flush with the ground, so a mower can pass over and you can run-up and follow through smoothly.
Usually cement is an improvement, it can bring a uniformity to the course -always knowing what to expect when driving, not worried about that random hole, stick, acorn, etc.

That new rubber pad made from old Vibram shoes at Maple Hill was probably nicer, but I think they cost 2x+ more than cement.

[Lotto]

i like concrete. in that "if you were given 5 million dollars to build a course, what would you do?" post, it popped into my head to make tee pads out of shredded rubber like running tracks. the rubber would grip better and easier on joints. maybe costly though.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

What Ben said...pretty much covers it.

[Matt Sink]

Concrete is hands down the best surface for a tee. Unless it is to short for a proper run up. I would rather throw from dirt then transfer from dirt to concrete.

[Nick]

Matt Sink said:

Concrete is hands down the best surface for a tee. Unless it is to short for a proper run up. I would rather throw from dirt then transfer from dirt to concrete.

How long of a run-up do you need? What would be too short? Trapezoidal tees or rectangular tees better?

[Donny Olow]

Yes , concrete tees improve the overall quality of a course without a doubt. Some courses have excellent rubber mats on crushed level gravel for drainage that work well !!!!!

[Matt Sink]

Trapezoidal (sp?) is better but not really that big of a deal. 12' would be sweat but 10' is sufficient. I've played on 6' tees and it sucked. There is even a course here in Austin with sideways tees, (wider than long) total waste.

[Matt Sink]

Oh yeah, concrete tees that are flush with the ground is very important as well. Easier to mow and no one wants to fall off a tee.

[Ben Calhoun]

9' minimum, with room to come from behind and the side.
15' and beyond is just a waste of material usually.

Trapeziod is fine, but usually they face the short end at the basket, when it might make more sense to face the wide end at it, so you can choose your angle of attack instead of being forced into one? Hmm..

[Donny Olow]

I think a 7 foot wide by 12 foot long pad works well !!!!

[nicfit]

Ben Calhoun said:

Trapeziod is fine, but usually they face the short end at the basket, when it might make more sense to face the wide end at it, so you can choose your angle of attack instead of being forced into one? Hmm..

Exactly. Which is why I'd avoid ever putting in trapezoidal teepads.