The Golf Tee Guide

Only within the last decade has the number and variety of golf tees erupted. Prior to this, golf tees were primarily available in two styles, wooden and plastic with little variation (other than colour and size) between tees. Recently, however, the golfing world has seen the birth of a number of specialist golf tees including graduated, off-set, zero-friction and lift tees, each bringing a completely different ball game to the market.
Wooden Vs. Plastic
The plastic versus wooden golf tee debate has been argued for many years now and although opinions differ on which is better, the general consensus is that plastic tees last longer than wooden tees. Other than this, it is purely a matter of personal taste and whether you require the longevity that plastic golf tees deliver.
Does Tee length make a difference?
Although the size of a golf tee is important to the golfing connoisseur, to a beginner it might appear less important. Most tees appear in one of four common lengths: 2 1/8”, 2 ¾”, 3 ¼”, 4”, each length is indicative of the distance the ball is above the ground and consequently what club is best to use.
Tee Size Recommended Club
2 1/8” Good for the use  with irons
2 ¾” Good for use with irons or hybrids
3 ¼” Good for use with smaller drivers
4” Goof for use with drivers

By a relatively large margin the 2 ¾” tees are the most commonly used golf tee amongst golfers. This is primarily due to the versatility that this tee length offers, as it can be used in 90% of situations purely by being pushed into the ground a little further.
What Tee Type Should I Choose?
Much like the choice of wooden or plastic golf tees, the type of tee you use is again primarily dependant on personal taste and what additional benefit/advantage you require:

‘Standard’ Golf Tees are available in both wooden and plastic varieties in all sizes. Considered to be the classic and most popular golf tee type.
Graduated Golf Tees (referred to as castle tees) are also available in both wooden and plastic varieties in different sizes/colours. These tees create a more consistent tee height due to their design of preventing over-insertion into the ground.
Zero-Friction Golf Tees (also referred to as LoFriction tees) are plastic golf tees that benefit from a head design that is engineered to reduce friction between the tee and golf ball, thus increasing the distance and accuracy of the shot.
Offset Golf Tees feature a 30 degree offset angle that holds the ball at the optimum position for club contact. The benefit of this is seen in increased distance and accuracy.
Lift Golf tees, much like the zero-friction tees can supposedly can add up to 10 yards to a drive by reducing the overall contact with a ball.
Rubber Golf Tees are generally used when the ground is too hard to use the conventional wooden and plastic  tees. The perfect tee for use in winter.