Golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee made of an elastomeric material includes a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon. The tee can be made of a polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam orethylene vinyl acetate foam. The tee can have a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section. A notch can be formed in the tee for exposing the ball to a golf club head. The tee can include a pointing member extending outwardly from, such that the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green while swing at the ball.

1 . A golf tee comprising a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon, wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       2 . A golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of a polymeric foam. 
   
   
       3 . A golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section and the head section are comprised of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam. 
   
   
       4 . A golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material has a Young's modulus of about 0.025 (E, Gpa). 
   
   
       5 . A golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the tee has a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section. 
   
   
       6 . A golf tee according to  claim 5 , wherein the tee defines a first semi-cone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head. 
   
   
       7 . A golf tee according to  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the first semi-cone proximate the head section and the notch. 
   
   
       8 . A golf tee according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of slits comprises four slits forming four movable flap sections for absorbing force from a golf club head swung at the ball. 
   
   
       9 . A golf tee according to  claim 6 , further comprising a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, whereby the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green. 
   
   
       10 . A golf tee according to  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of ridges formed on an exterior surface of the tee. 
   
   
       11 . A golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the base section comprises a generally flat platform. 
   
   
       12 . A golf tee according to  claim 11 , wherein the head section comprises a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein. 
   
   
       13 . A golf tee according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of prongs comprises four prongs. 
   
   
       14 . A golf tee comprising a frusto-conical shaped piece of elastomeric material comprising:
 a) a base section for positioning on a ground surface; and   b) a concave head section for supporting a golf ball therein.   
   
   
       15 . A golf tee according to  claim 14 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam. 
   
   
       16 . A golf tee according to  claim 14 , wherein the tee defines a first semi-cone and a second semi-cone, and a notch is formed in the first semi-cone for exposing the ball to a golf club head. 
   
   
       17 . A golf tee according to  claim 16 , further comprising a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, whereby the pointing member points in a direction of a golf green and provides a visual cue to a user of the tee as to the direction of the golf green. 
   
   
       18 . A golf tee comprising:
 a) a substantially flat base platform; and   b) a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base platform for supporting the ball therein.   
   
   
       19 . A golf tee according to  claim 18 , wherein the tee is comprised of an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       20 . A golf tee according to  claim 19 , wherein the tee is comprised of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.