Golf tee

Abstract

The present invention provides golf tees that are configured to exert minimal resistance or friction on a golf ball, thereby allowing the golf ball to travel further. The tees of the invention are also less subject to deformation or breakage and are configured to embed in the ground in front of the tee-off rather than bounce in a random direction.

1 . A golf tee comprising:
 a) a shaft section comprising a sharp, longitudinal front edge for cutting into the ground;   b) a point section disposed on a first end of the shaft section, the point section terminating in a point for insertion of the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; and   c) a golf ball rest section disposed on top of a second end of the shaft or a base portion of the rest section disposed on the second end, and opposing the point,
 i) wherein the golf ball rest section is adapted to support a golf ball when the point is inserted in the ground in a substantially vertical position, 
 ii) wherein the golf ball rest section comprises two front supports and at least one rear support that are disposed on and extend substantially radially from the second end, 
 iii) wherein the two front supports are disposed on the front of the tee parallel to each other and equidistant from the center of the tee, forming an opening therebetween through which the golf ball travels when the golf ball is struck by a golf club, and 
 iv) the rear support is disposed on the back of the tee and is aligned with the front-to-back axis of the tee, and is sufficiently sturdy that the ball rest section does not deform when struck by a golf club during a tee-off golf swing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the tee resists breakage and deformation when struck by a golf club. 
     
     
         3 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the tee supports are spaced such that they do not engage the dimples of the golf ball and do not affect the spin of the golf ball when struck from the tee when the tee is inserted in the ground in a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         4 . The golf tee of  claim 3 , wherein the golf tee does not bounce off the ground when struck by the golf club, and lands in front of the original position of the tee in the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the point section tapers to the point. 
     
     
         6 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the shaft section has a substantially diamond-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein tee further comprises barbs or spikes disposed on the longitudinal front edge. 
     
     
         8 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the rear support is larger than the front supports. 
     
     
         9 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the rear support has a flat top pyramid shape, wherein the top of the pyramid shape faces away from the center of the tee. 
     
     
         10 . The golf tee of  claim 4 , wherein the top of the pyramid shape of the rear support has a top contact edge that contacts the golf ball placed on top of the tee when the tee in inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position, wherein the top contact edge is oriented at an angle of about 8° to about 10° relative to a horizontal axis of the tee. 
     
     
         11 . The golf tee of  claim 5 , wherein the top edge is longer than the diameter of a golf ball dimple. 
     
     
         12 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the rear support further comprises a buttress. 
     
     
         13 . The golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein each of the front supports has a generally wedge shape, wherein the base of each wedge shape is disposed on the second end of the shaft section and the ridge edges are parallel to each other and equidistant from the front-to-back axis of the tee, wherein the ridge edges contact the golf ball placed on top of the tee when the tee in inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position, and wherein the ridge edges are oriented at an angle of about 8° to about 10° relative to a horizontal axis of the tee. 
     
     
         14 . The golf tee of  claim 8 , wherein the ridge edges are oriented at an angle of about 9° relative to the horizontal axis of the tee. 
     
     
         15 . The golf tee of  claim 8 , wherein the front supports are mirror images of each other. 
     
     
         16 . The golf tee of  claim 8 , wherein the ridge edges are longer than the diameter of a golf ball dimple. 
     
     
         17 . A golf tee comprising a
 a) a shaft section having a substantially diamond-shape in cross-section and comprising a sharp, longitudinal front edge for cutting into the ground;   b) a point section disposed on a first end of the shaft section, the point section tapering from the first end of the shaft section and terminating in a point for insertion of the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; and   c) a golf ball rest section disposed on top of a second end of the shaft or a base portion of the rest section disposed on the second end, and opposing the point,
 i) wherein the golf ball rest section is adapted to support a golf ball when the point is inserted in the ground in a substantially vertical position, 
 ii) wherein the golf ball rest section comprises two front supports and one rear support that are disposed on and extend substantially radially from the second end, 
 iii) wherein the two front supports are disposed on the front of the tee parallel to each other and equidistant from the center of the tee, forming an opening therebetween through which the golf ball travels when the golf ball is struck by a golf club, 
 iv) wherein each of the front supports has a generally wedge shape that is a mirror image of the other, wherein the bases of the wedges are disposed on the second end of the shaft section and the ridge edges are parallel to each other and equidistant from the front-to-back axis of the tee, wherein the ridge edges are longer than a golf ball dimple and contact the golf ball placed on top of the tee when the tee in inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position, and wherein the ridge edges are oriented at an angle of about 8° to about 10° relative to a horizontal axis of the tee, 
 v) wherein the rear support has a flat top pyramid shape, wherein the top of the pyramid shape faces away from the center of the tee, is disposed on the back of the tee, and is aligned with the front-to-back axis of the tee, and is sufficiently sturdy that the ball rest section does not deform when struck by a golf club during a tee-off golf swing, 
 vi) wherein the rear support has a top contact edge perpendicular to the parallel ridge edge of the front supports, which top contact edge contacts the golf ball placed on top of the tee when the tee in inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position, wherein the top contact edge is longer than a golf ball dimple and is oriented at an angle of about 8° to about 10° relative to a horizontal axis of the tee. 
   
     
     
         18 . The golf tee of  claim 17  wherein the rear support is larger than the front supports. 
     
     
         19 . The golf tee of  claim 17 , wherein the rear support further comprises a buttress. 
     
     
         20 . The golf tee of  claim 17 , wherein the tee further comprises barbs or spikes disposed on the longitudinal front edge.