Golf tee

Abstract

A golf tee that allows the golfer to put a golf ball on the tee without having to lean over is disclosed. The golf tee has at least three legs and is resilient. The golf tee may also have four legs and a web member extending between the legs of the golf tee. A method for putting a golf ball on the tee is also disclosed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A golf tee comprising: 
 a base;    a shaft connected to the base a top portion connected to the shaft, the top portion further comprising: 
 at least three legs connected to the shaft; and  
   a web member extending between the at least three legs, the web member being independent from the shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises at least four legs and a web member that extends between the at least four legs and being independent from the shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an upper portion and a shaft bottom portion, the shaft having slots in the shaft top portion to define three upper shaft extensions, each of the upper shaft extensions connected to a respective leg.  
     
     
         4 . The golf according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an upper portion and a shaft bottom portion, the shaft having slots in the shaft top portion to define four upper shaft extensions, each of the upper shaft extensions connected to a respective leg.  
     
     
         5 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion is collapsible to fit through an opening in a practice mat.  
     
     
         6 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the golf tee is made of a resilient material.  
     
     
         7 . The golf tee according to  claim 6 , wherein the golf tee is made from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The golf tee according to  claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubbers, flexible polyurethane, flexible PVC, thermoplastic elastomers, and latex.  
     
     
         9 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , the top portion further comprising a rib connecting each of the at least three legs to the upper shaft extensions.  
     
     
         10 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein the web extending between a first and second leg and the first and second legs form an opening.  
     
     
         11 . The golf according to  claim 1 , wherein only a portion of each of the at least three legs contact a golf ball placed thereon.  
     
     
         12 . The golf tee according to  claim 1 , wherein golf tee is to be used with a practice mat having a predetermined thickness, and the shaft has a height that is greater than the predetermined thickness of the practice mat.  
     
     
         13 . A resilient golf tee comprising: 
 a base;    a shaft connected to the base;    at least three legs connected to the shaft; and    a web member extending between the at least three legs.    
     
     
         14 . A resilient golf tee comprising: 
 an enlarged base;    a shaft connected to the base;    at least three legs connected to the shaft.    
     
     
         15 . The resilient golf tee according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least three legs comprises four legs.  
     
     
         16 . The resilient golf tee according to  claim 14 , further comprising a web member extending between the at least three legs.  
     
     
         17 . A method of putting a golf ball on a golf tee, the golf tee having a top portion with at least three legs and a web member extending between the at least three legs, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the golf ball;    aligning the golf ball between two of the three legs; and    using a golf club to push the golf ball against the web member between the two legs causing the golf ball to roll up over the web member and rest on the three legs.    
     
     
         18 . A method of putting a golf ball on a golf tee, the golf tee having an enlarged base, a shaft connected to the base, and a top portion with connected to the shaft and having at least three legs, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the golf ball;    aligning the golf ball between two of the three legs; and    using a golf club to push the golf ball against the tee between two of the at least three legs causing the golf ball to roll up over the web member and rest on the three legs.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to clam  18 , wherein the golf tee has at least four legs.