Patent ID: 9320951
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: A63B

Claim Text:
1. A golf tee for controlling frictional forces imparted to a golf ball comprising: a shaft having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end configured to be inserted into or supported by an underlying surface; and a plurality of support members coupled with the upper end of the shaft, the plurality of support members configured to support a golf ball, wherein contact between the golf ball and the plurality of support members is asymmetrically distributed such that a first contact area with a first hemisphere of the golf ball is greater than a second contact area with a second hemisphere of the golf ball; wherein each of the plurality of support members extends radially outward relative to the shaft; and wherein the plurality of support members comprises a first support member and a second support member, the first support member configured to contact the golf ball across a continuous arc of less than five degrees, the second support member configured to contact the golf ball across a continuous arc of between 30 degrees and 180 degrees.