Golf tee, and method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee includes a shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, a ball support member formed at the second end portion of the shaft; and a collision impact member formed between the first end portion and the second end portion of the shaft. The collision impact member is plate-shaped component formed separately from the ball support member. The collision impact member protrudes from the shaft. When a golf club swing by a player approaches a stationary golf ball supported on the ball support member, the club first hits the collision impact member that causes dislodging of the ball from the ball support member and also the suspension of the ball in the midair; and subsequently, the club hits the ball suspended in the midair, without any contact with the golf tee, thereby eliminating possibility of deflection or restriction on the ball movement and trajectory thereof.

1 . A golf tee, comprising:
 a shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion;   a tapered end section including a tip end formed at the first end portion;   a ball support member arranged at the second end portion of the shaft; and   a collision impact member arranged between the first end portion and the second end portion of the shaft;   wherein the collision impact member is separate from the ball support member.   
     
     
         2 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the collision impact member is plate-shaped component. 
     
     
         3 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the collision impact member protrudes from the shaft beyond the ball support member. 
     
     
         4 . The golf tee according to  claim 2 , wherein the collision impact member includes a base attached to the shaft, a curved portion extending from a first end of the base, a first flat portion extending from a second end of the base, and a second flat portion arranged between the curved portion and the first flat portion. 
     
     
         5 . The golf tee according to  claim 4 , wherein a radius of the curved portion is about 0.8360 inches to 0.8435 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has a plurality of depth ribs formed thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball support member includes a reinforced cone shaped member and a pair of stems extending from the cone shaped member. 
     
     
         8 . The golf tee according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the pair of stems includes a ball cup, the ball cups being curved to cradle a golf ball. 
     
     
         9 . The golf tee according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate-shaped component includes a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion formed opposite to the first gripping portion, each of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion having a plurality of ribs formed thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The golf tee according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate-shaped component includes a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion formed opposite to the first gripping portion, each of the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion having a plain surface. 
     
     
         11 . A golf tee, comprising:
 a shaft having a predetermined length, and including a first end portion and a second end portion;   a tapered end section formed at the first end portion;   a ball support member arranged at the second end portion of the shaft; and   a collision impact member arranged on the shaft;   wherein the collision impact member is plate-shaped component.   
     
     
         12 . The golf tee according to  claim 11 , wherein the collision impact member is situated on the second end portion of the shaft such that when a golf ball is cradled in the ball support member, a gap is formed between the golf ball and the collision impact member. 
     
     
         13 . The golf tee according to  claim 11 , wherein the collision impact member is separate from the ball support member. 
     
     
         14 . The golf tee according to  claim 11 , wherein collision impact member includes a base attached to the shaft, a curved portion extending from a first end of the base, a first flat portion extending from a second end of the base, and a second flat portion arranged between the curved portion and the first flat portion. 
     
     
         15 . The golf tee according to  claim 13 , wherein a radius of the curved portion is about 0.8360 inches to 0.8435 inches. 
     
     
         16 . A method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from a golf tee, said golf tee comprising a shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion; a tapered end section including a tip end formed at the first end portion; a ball support member arranged at the second end portion of the shaft; and a collision impact member arranged on the shaft,
 said method comprising the steps of:   placing the golf tee in the ground such that an axis of the shaft is at a predetermined angle with a level of the ground;   placing a golf ball on the ball support member such that a gap is formed between the golf ball and the collision impact member; and   swinging a golf club to strike the golf ball placed on the ball support member,   wherein in the step of swinging the golf club, the golf club first hits the collision impact member causing dislodging of the ball from the ball support member and also suspension of the golf ball in midair for a split second; and subsequently the golf club hits the golf ball suspended in the midair thereby eliminating drag, friction or interference from the golf tee on the golf ball movement.   
     
     
         17 . The method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from a golf tee according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of placing the golf tee in the ground includes adjusting a depth of the first end portion of the shaft inserted in the ground. 
     
     
         18 . The method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from a golf tee according to  claim 16 , wherein the collision impact member is plate-shaped component having a base attached to the shaft, a curved portion extending from a first end of the base, a first flat portion extending from a second end of the base, and a second flat portion arranged between the curved portion and the first flat portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from a golf tee according to  claim 18 , wherein the collision impact member includes a curved portion which is a striking edge for the golf club. 
     
     
         20 . The method of eliminating drag, friction or interference from a golf tee according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein a radius of the curved portion is about 0.8360 inches to 0.8435 inches; and   wherein the first flat portion forms an angle of about 14° with a horizontal plane, and the second flat portion forms an angle of about 35° with the horizontal plane when the shaft is placed in a vertical direction.