Base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee

Abstract

The subject invention discloses a base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee for supporting a golf ball when used in combination with a typical driving range golf mat. The base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee is comprised of a tubular shaft member with a distal end extending upwardly and terminating at its proximal end at its proximal end top surface. The proximal end top surface of the tubular shaft member comprises a plurality of holes oriented around its circumference, from which a multiplicity of bristles or other low-resistance support means are affixed and extend upwardly to provide circular support for a golf ball. The tubular shaft member is received into the top side hole opening of a typical driving range golf mat and has a circumference that is fractionally smaller than that of the opening to assist in the retention of the shaft member in the opening. The low-resistance golf ball support structures extend upwardly above the top surface of the driving range mat and provide little to no resistance to the golf club when the golf ball is struck.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee for use in combination with a driving range golf mat including a hole opening, top surface synthetic turf, pad affixed below the synthetic turf top surface and a specific thickness dimension, said combination comprising:
 (A) a tubular shaft member extending from its distal to proximal end;   (B) a tubular shaft member proximal end terminating in a proximal end top surface;   (C) low-resistance support structure distal ends extending upward from the plurality of holes oriented around the circumference of the tubular shaft member proximal end top surface to the proximal end of the low-resistance support structures and driving range golf mat tee upon which a golf ball is rested;   
       wherein, said tubular shaft member is inserted into, received by and extends through the hole opening in said driving range golf mat terminating prior to the top surface of said driving range golf mat with said specific thickness dimension so as to assure no contact is possible between a golf club and the tubular shaft member upon striking of said golf ball; 
       wherein, said low-resistance support structures extend upward from the tubular shaft member proximal end top surface from the inside of the driving range golf mat hole opening above the top surface of said driving range golf mat for receiving and resting of a golf ball thereon. 
     
     
         2 . A base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular shaft member circumference is fractionally smaller than that of said driving range golf mat hole opening and comprised of material of sufficient strength, density and weight to assist in retention of said base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee in said driving range golf mat hole opening through frictional and pressure forces upon striking of said golf ball without any additional anchoring means. 
     
     
         3 . A base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal ends of said low-resistance support structures, as oriented, provide for circular and upward support for receiving of said golf ball. 
     
     
         4 . A base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said support structures may comprise of a multiplicity of bristles that will minimize frictional or resistive forces when a golf ball is struck by a golf club while maintaining structural integrity. 
     
     
         5 . A base-less, low-resistance driving range golf mat tee as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said support structures are designed so as to allow for modification via cutting or trimming by a golfer to adjust the low-resistance support structures to said golfers' desired height without adversely affecting golf ball support or contact.