Tee and system and method for using same

Abstract

Devices and methods for supporting or holding a ball off of a surface in a position and manner suitable for being hit are disclosed. One embodiment may include a lower portion coupled to an upper portion via a height adjuster; an arm extending from the upper portion; a ball retention portion extending from the arm; and a stake extending from the lower portion, wherein the ball retention portion is configured to hold a ball off of a surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tee comprising:
 a support body comprising:
 a stake; 
 a lower portion; 
 an upper portion; and 
   a height adjuster, wherein a height of the support body is adjustable by relative movement between the lower portion and the upper portion via the height adjuster, and wherein the stake is coupled to the lower portion and configured to be inserted into a surface;   an arm comprising a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the upper portion;   an annular hanger rotatably coupled to the second end of the arm; and   a ball retention portion suspended from the annular hanger, wherein the ball retention portion is configured to hold a ball off of the surface and release the ball upon contact.   
     
     
         2 . A tee comprising:
 a lower portion coupled to an upper portion via a height adjuster configured to adjust a height of the tee;   an arm extending from the upper portion;   a ball retention portion extending from the arm; and   a stake extending from the lower portion,   wherein the ball retention portion is configured to hold a ball off of the surface.   
     
     
         3 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the ball retention portion is less than the minimum total distance between a bottom of the lower portion and a top of the upper portion. 
     
     
         4 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the arm extends from the upper portion via a hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the ball retention portion comprises a cup having a convex surface and a concave surface; and a string that couples the cup to the arm. 
     
     
         6 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the ball retention portion is a sling. 
     
     
         7 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the ball retention portion comprises a magnet and a string. 
     
     
         8 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the body. 
     
     
         9 . The tee of  claim 2 , wherein the ball retention portion extends substantially parallel to the body. 
     
     
         10 . A method of hitting a golf ball comprising:
 securely staking a golf tee to a surface, the golf tee comprising an arm and a pocket coupled to the arm by a string;   placing a golf ball in the pocket;   adjusting a height of the golf tee so the golf ball hovers just above the surface for significant contact and control when driving with an iron; and   releasing the golf ball by striking the golf ball with a golf club such that the pocket rotates around the arm.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein adjusting the height of the tee is by manipulating a height adjustment portion of a body of the golf tee that couples a top portion of the body to a bottom portion of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein manipulating a height adjustment portion includes:
 moving a pin extending from the body along an adjustment shaft of the adjustment portion; 
 aligning the pin with an adjustment landing coupled to the adjustment shaft; and 
 moving the pin from the adjustment shaft into the adjustment landing. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising moving the arm from a first position to a second position.