Durable golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee is disclosed that is highly durable compared to wooden tees, is easy to find if struck during a golf swing, and has other attributes. It is in the form of a tube of somewhat smaller diameter than a golf ball and having the lower end provided with a spike or point similar to that of a wooden tee. It is primarily made of a tough elastomeric plastic such as moderately high durometer polyurethane. Preferably, it has provision for flotation, such as trapped air to prevent it from sinking if it should land in water.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A golf tee comprising a tubular body, a closed end at one end of the body forming a stop wall, a spike of substantially smaller diameter than the tubular body extending from the closed end, the stop wall surrounding the spike, the spike having a length to support the tubular body in an upright position when the spike is inserted into turf and the stop wall is adjacent the ground, the golf tee being unitarily molded of an elastomeric material and the tubular body having a diameter less than a diameter of a golf ball, the elastomeric material having a flexibility permitting the tube to be flattened manually. 
   
   
       5 . The golf tee of  claim 4  wherein the tubular body has an outer diameter at an open end opposite from the closed end of between 0.3 and 1.5 inches, and a wall thickness of between 0.20 inches and 0.01, inch with the 0.01 inch thickness being associated with a tubular body in the higher diameter range. 
   
   
       6 . The golf tee of  claim 5  wherein the tubular body is tapered in cross section along its length, with the open end being larger in cross section than the closed end. 
   
   
       7 . The golf tee of  claim 6  wherein said golf tee is made of a polyurethane material. 
   
   
       8 . The golf tee of  claim 4  wherein said tubular body is made of a polyurethane material, and has a diameter of substantially 0.75 inches at an upper end, and a wall thickness of substantially 0.025 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The golf tee of  claim 8  wherein said spike has a length of substantially 0.60 inches and the overall length of the golf tee is substantially 4 inches. 
   
   
       10 . The golf tee of  claim 4  wherein said tubular body, said end wall and said spike are molded of a polyurethane material having a durometer ranging between 50A and 75D. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . The golf tee of  claim 4  including a floating foam layer in an interior of the tubular body. 
   
   
       14 . The golf tee of  claim 4  including a disc of foam press fitted into an interior bore of the tubular body of size to provide floatation for the golf tee.