Golf tee with support prongs

Abstract

A golf tee includes: an elongate shaft having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end configured to be inserted into an underlying surface; and a support cup that is configured to support a golf ball from beneath and that merges with the shaft. The support cup has a base portion and further includes at least three arcuate support prongs projecting upwardly from the base portion. The support prongs define a discontinuous annulus about the periphery of the support cup.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf tee, comprising:
 an elongate shaft having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end configured to be inserted into an underlying surface; and   a support cup that is configured to support a golf ball from beneath, the support cup merging with the shaft, the support cup having a base portion and further including at least three arcuate support prongs projecting upwardly from the base portion, each of the support prongs having a convex contact surface and being of a secant length that is greater than that of a dimple of a golf ball, such that the total contact area between the contact surfaces and a golf ball resting on the contact surfaces is between about 0.0036 in 2  and 0.0045 in 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The golf tee defined in  claim 1 , formed of a biodegradable material.