Golf tee with pop-on marker

Abstract

A golf tee-marker apparatus for easy grasping and manipulation by a golfer with reduced manual dexterity includes: a golf tee with a longitudinal axis, a head, and an elongated stem extending downwardly therefrom along the axis. The stem includes a circumferential groove spaced below the head. A flat, disk-shaped marker member a central aperture is received on the stem in longitudinally spaced relation below the head. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive the stem therethrough and to releasably engage the groove.

1 . A golf tee-marker apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a golf tee with a longitudinal axis, a golf ball supporting head, and an elongated stem extending downwardly from the head along the longitudinal axis and having a portion with a circular surfaced located about the axis between a top and bottom thereof and having a first diameter; the stem having a groove extending radially inward from the stem surface;   (b) a flexible marker member with an aperture formed therethrough; the marker member aperture having a second diameter less than the stem surface first diameter; and   (c) the marker member being received on the stem by deforming a portion of the marker member at the aperture and sliding the marker member along the stem until the aperture aligns with the groove and the deformed portion of the marker member extends into the groove in longitudinally spaced relation below the head with the stem extending through the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 1  and including:
 (a) a groove formed about the stem in longitudinally spaced relation below the head; and 
 (b) the marker member engaging the groove to thereby releasably retain the marker member on the stem. 
 
     
     
         3 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 1  and including:
 (a) a substantially circumferential groove formed about the stem in longitudinally spaced relation below the head; and 
 (b) the marker member engaging the groove to thereby releasably retain the marker member on the stem. 
 
     
     
         4 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the marker member is formed of a flexible polymer. 
     
     
         5 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the marker member is a flat disk with the aperture formed therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . A golf tee-marker apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a golf tee with a longitudinal axis, a golf ball supporting head, and a stem extending downwardly from the head along the longitudinal axis, the stem having an outer surface and including a groove extending radially inward from the stem outer surface and spaced below the head and having a groove inner surface; and   (b) a flexible marker member with a central aperture having a second diameter less than the stem first diameter and having a marker axis, the marker member being deformable about the aperture, so as to allow the marker to slide along the stem with the stem in the aperture, the aperture having a bore inner surface and being sized and shaped to receive the stem therethrough and to releasably engage the groove.   
     
     
         7 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the marker axis when the groove and marker member are engaged. 
     
     
         8 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the bore inner surface engages the groove inner surface when the groove and the marker member are engaged. 
     
     
         9 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the marker member is formed of a polymer. 
     
     
         10 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the marker member is removable from the stem. 
     
     
         11 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the head is cup-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the marker member is a flat disk with the aperture formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the groove is a substantially circumferential groove. 
     
     
         14 . A golf tee-marker apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a golf tee with a longitudinal axis, a golf ball supporting head, and an elongated stem extending downwardly from the head along the longitudinal axis; the stem having a portion spaced from the head with an outer surface having a first diameter.   (b) a substantially circumferential groove formed about the stem and extending inwardly from the stem surface in longitudinally spaced relation below the head;   (c) a flexible flat, disk-shaped marker member having an aperture formed therethrough; the aperture having a diameter smaller than the stem surface first diameter; and   (c) the marker member being deformable about the marker aperture so as to be receivable on the stem with the stem extending through the aperture, the marker member extending into the groove to thereby releasably retain the marker member on the stem.   
     
     
         15 . A golf tee-marker apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the marker member is formed of a flexible polymer.