Golf tee with placement structure

Abstract

An improved golf tee includes an outwardly flared portion to set and maintain a desired height of the ball above ground. The tee comprises a molded plastic member with a central longitudinal cylindrical shaft, an upper end and a lower end defining an overall length of 3.25+/−0.25 inches. The upper end of the shaft transitioning into a conical golf ball support with an upper, circular rim, and the lower end of the shaft terminating in point with a rounded tip. A downwardly flared portion extends outwardly from the shaft between the upper and lower ends of the shaft, the flared portion terminating in a surface configured for ground contact when the pointed, lower end of the shaft in pushed into the ground. In the preferred embodiments, the distance between the conical ball support and the surface configured for ground contact is in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches.

1 . An improved golf tee, comprising:
 a unitary, molded plastic member with a central longitudinal cylindrical shaft, an upper end and a lower end defining an overall length of 3.25+/−0.25 inches;   the upper end of the shaft transitioning into a conical golf ball support with an upper, circular rim defining a first diameter;   the lower end of the shaft terminating in a pointed point tip;   a downwardly flared portion extending outwardly from the shaft between the upper and lower ends of the shaft, the flared portion terminating in a lower surface with a circular edge configured for ground contact when the pointed, lower end of the shaft is pushed into the ground;   wherein the downwardly flared portion forms a cone with a flat lower surface, and the circular edge defines a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter; and   wherein the distance between the conical ball support and the surface configured for ground contact is in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The improved golf tee of  claim 1 , wherein the downwardly flared portion is conical such that the tee is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The improved golf tee of  claim 1 , included a filleted relief between the shaft and the transition into the conical golf ball support. 
     
     
         4 . The improved golf tee of  claim 1 , included a filleted relief between the shaft and the downwardly flared portion.