Golf tee

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/045,704, filed Apr. 17, 2008.

The present invention relates to an article for holding an object in a stationary position. A particular embodiment of the invention comprises a tee for holding golf balls.

Golf is a popular game, in which players strike a small ball using a variety of clubs, with the object being to get the ball into a distant hole formed in the ground utilizing as few strokes as possible. Generally, when making the first stroke of the ball toward a particular hole, commonly known as “teeing off”, players utilize a tee.

Prior to the present invention, tees have been relatively thin objects made of wood, plastic or other hard material having a stem with a pointed tip at the bottom end and a relatively wider head section at the top. The pointed tip at the bottom is sharp so that it can be inserted into the ground, and the ball is placed on the head section so that it rests at a height above the ground. The player then tees off by swinging his club at the ball on the tee.

A problem associated with such prior art tees is the fact that the ground may be hard, and it can be difficult to get the tee into the ground. Also, because the typical prior art tee is relatively thin, a significant wind can easily blow the ball off the tee. In an effort to overcome the aforesaid problems, the present invention was conceived.

An object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a golf tee that does not have to be inserted into the ground.

Another object of an embodiment of the invention is to provide a golf tee that securely holds the ball in place and is resistant to wind blowing the ball off the tee.

These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed below, which include a golf tee comprised of an elastomeric material, and includes a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball thereon.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section and the head section are comprised of a polymeric foam.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section and the head section are comprised of polyurethane foam and/or ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric material has a Young\'s modulus of about 0.025 (E, Gpa).

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee has a generally frusto-conical shape, with the base section having a larger diameter than the head section.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee can define 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.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of slits are formed in the first semi-cone proximate the head section and the notch.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tee has four slits, which form four movable flap sections that can absorb force from a golf club head swung at the ball.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the golf tee includes a pointing member extending outwardly from the second semi-cone opposite to the notch, 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.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ridges are formed on an exterior surface of the tee that aid the user in grasping the tee.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base section comprises a generally flat platform.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the head section comprises a plurality of concave shaped prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there are four prongs extending upwardly from the base section for supporting the ball therein.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf tee comprises a frusto-conical shaped piece of elastomeric material having a base section for positioning on a ground surface, and a concave head section for supporting a golf ball therein.