Abstract:
A set of golf tees that includes at least a low spin golf tee and a high spin golf tee. The low spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide decreased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the low spin golf tee. The high spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide increased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the high spin golf tee.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to golf equipment and, in particular, to golf tees. 
         [0002]    Golf tees are used to support golf balls above the ground on tee shots. When a golf ball resting on a golf tee is struck by a golf club, the golf ball is deformed and the golf tee is pushed downward resulting in resistance between the ground and the golf tee. This resistance produces an opposing force which pushes the golf ball upward. The golf ball is in contact with face of the golf club and when pushed upward results in some increased level of back spin on the golf ball as it leaves the club face. If the resistance is increased, the spin rate of the golf ball will increase. Conversely, if the resistance is decreased, the spin rate of the golf ball will decrease. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  show a set of golf tees according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0004]      FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show a set of golf tees according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  are horizontal cross sectional views taken on lines  7 - 7 ,  8 - 8  and  9 - 9 , respectively, in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 ; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 10  shows a set of golf tees according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 11  depicts one example of ball flight trajectories associated with a set of golf tees. 
           [0008]      FIG. 12  depicts another example of ball flight trajectories associated with a set of golf tees. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a set of golf tees includes a golf tee  10 , a golf tee  12  and a golf tee  14 . Golf tees  10 ,  12  and  14  have lower portions  10   a,    12   a  and  14   a,  respectively, for insertion into a holding surface such as the ground. Golf tees  10 ,  12  and  14  also have upper portions  10   b,    12   b  and  14   b,  respectively, for supporting a golf ball. Certain portions of the golf tees  10 ,  12  and  14  that are located between the lower portions  10   a,    12   a,    14   a  and the upper portions  10   b,    12   b,    14   b  are broken away (not shown) in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         [0010]    The lower portion  10   a  of the golf tee  10  has opposite side edges  10   c  and  10   d  that are (when viewed in vertical cross section) disposed at an angle A with respect to each other when measured at a predetermined distance D from its tip  10   e.  The lower portion  12   a  of the golf tee  12  has opposite side edges  12   c  and  12   d  that are (when viewed in vertical cross section) disposed at an angle B when measured at the same predetermined distance D from its tip  12   e.  The angle B is greater than the angle A. The lower portion  14   a  of the golf tee  14  has opposite side edges  14   c  and  14   d  that are (when viewed in vertical cross section) disposed at an angle C when measured at the same predetermined distance D from its tip  14   e.  The angle C is greater than the angle A but less than the angle B. As described in detail below, the angles A, B, and C may affect the spin rates of the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and  14 , respectively. 
         [0011]    It will be understood that the first golf tee  10  produces a first spin rate (e.g., revolutions per minute (rpm)) for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  10   b.  The second golf tee  12  produces a second spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  12   b.  The second spin rate is greater than the first spin rate. The third golf tee  14  produces a third spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  14   b.  The third spin rate is greater than the first spin rate but less than the second spin rate. 
         [0012]    As noted above, the first spin rate may be less than the second and third spin rates. The spin rate of a golf tee may affect the distance and the height traveled by a golf ball after being struck by a golf club. In the example of  FIG. 11 , each of the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and  14  may be associated with a ball flight trajectory, generally shown as  1110 ,  1120 , and  1130 , respectively. While the ball flight trajectories  1110 ,  1120 , and  1130  may have the same ball launch angle, the ball flight trajectories  1110 ,  1120 , and  1130  may differ in total distance, carry distance, and/or roll-out distance. 
         [0013]    The ball flight trajectories  1110 ,  1120 , and  1130  may be associated with an individual who generally produces relatively less spin on a golf ball. In particular, a golf ball struck by a golf club off of the first golf tee  10  may be associated with the first ball flight trajectory  1110 , which may have a first total distance  1112  including a first carry distance  1114  and a first roll-out distance  1116  (e.g., the first carry distance  1114  plus the first roll-out distance  1116  equals the first total distance  1112 ). A golf ball struck by a golf club off of the second golf tee  12  may be associated with the second ball flight trajectory  1120 , which may have a second total distance  1122  including a second carry distance  1124  and a second roll-out distance  1126  (e.g., the second carry distance  1124  plus the second roll-out distance  1126  equals the second total distance  1122 ). A golf ball struck by a golf club off of the third golf tee  14  may be associated with the third ball flight trajectory  1130 , which may have a third total distance  1132  including a third carry distance  1134  and a third roll-out distance  1136  (e.g., the third carry distance  1134  plus the third roll-out distance  1136  equals the third total distance  1132 ). As a result, the first golf tee  10  may provide relatively less carry distance but more roll-out distance than either the second golf tee  12  or the third golf tee  14  whereas the second golf tee  12  may provide relatively more total distance (e.g., carry distance plus roll-out distance) than either the first golf tee  10  or the third golf tee  14 . 
         [0014]    Air resistance and rotational velocity of the golf ball during ball flight may affect the lift (i.e., Magnus force) of the golf ball. The lift of the golf ball may affect to the total distance traveled by the golf ball. Accordingly, the first golf tee  10  may provide less lift than either the second golf tee  12  or the third golf tee  14 . Further, wind may reduce the amount of lift on the golf ball. In one example, an individual may use the first golf tee  10  instead of either the second golf tee  12  or the third golf tee  14  when he or she is hitting a golf ball into or against the wind because the first golf tee  10  may provide relatively less lift than either the second golf tee  12  or the third golf tee  14 . In contrast, an individual may use the second golf tee  12  instead of either the first golf tee  10  or the third golf tee  14  when he or she is hitting a golf ball with the wind because the second golf tee  12  may provide relatively greater lift than either the first golf tee  10  or the third golf tee  14 . 
         [0015]    While  FIG. 11  may depict the ball flight trajectories  1110 ,  1120 , and  1130  to be sequential in distance relative to each other, the ball flight trajectories  1110 ,  1120 , and/or  1130  may overlap with each other. Further, although  FIG. 11  may depict the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and  14  being associated with particular ball flight trajectories, the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and  14  may be associated with other ball flight trajectories as described in detail below. 
         [0016]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , for example, an individual with relatively higher swing speed (e.g., more than 100 mph club head speed) may produce ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1220 , and  1230  when striking a golf ball with a golf club off of the golf tees,  10 ,  12 , and  14 , respectively. While the ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1220 , and  1230  may have the same ball launch angle, the ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1220 , and  1230  may differ in total distance, carry distance, and/or roll-out distance. Further, although  FIG. 12  may depict the ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1220 , and  1230  to be sequential in distance relative to each other, the ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1220 , and/or  1230  may overlap with each other. 
         [0017]    The ball flight trajectories  1210 ,  1120 , and  1230  may be associated with an individual who generally produces relatively more spin on a golf ball. In particular, a golf ball struck by a golf club off of the first golf tee  10  may be associated with the first ball flight trajectory  1210 , which may have a first total distance  1212  including a first carry distance  1214  and a first roll-out distance  1216  (e.g., the first carry distance  1214  plus the first roll-out distance  1216  equals the first total distance  1212 ). A golf ball struck by a golf club off of the second golf tee  12  may be associated with the second ball flight trajectory  1220 , which may have a second total distance  1222  including a second carry distance  1224  and a second roll-out distance  1226  (e.g., the second carry distance  1224  plus the second roll-out distance  1226  equals the second total distance  1222 ). A golf ball struck by a golf club off of the third golf tee  14  may be associated with the third ball flight trajectory  1230 , which may have a third total distance  1232  including a third carry distance  1234  and a third roll-out distance  1236  (e.g., the third carry distance  1234  plus the third roll-out distance  1236  equals the third total distance  1232 ). As a result, the first golf tee  10  may provide relatively more carry distance and roll-out distance than either the second golf tee  12  or the third golf tee  14  whereas the second golf tee  12  may provide relatively more lift than either the first golf tee  10  or the third golf tee  14 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , another set of golf tees includes a golf tee  16 , a golf tee  18  and a golf tee  20 . Golf tees  16 ,  18  and  20  have lower portions  16   a,    18   a  and  20   a,  respectively, for insertion into a holding surface such as the ground. Golf tees  16 ,  18  and  20  also have upper portions  16   b,    18   b  and  20   b,  respectively, for supporting a golf ball. Certain portions of the golf tees  16 ,  18  and  20  that are located between the lower portions  16   a,    18   a,    20   a  and the upper portions  16   b,    18   b,    20   b  are broken away (not shown) in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . 
         [0019]    The lower portion  16   a  of the golf tee  16  has a tip  16   c  and a horizontal cross sectional area E shown in  FIG. 8  located at a predetermined distance F from the tip  16   c.  The lower portion  18   a  of the golf tee  18  has a tip  18   c  and a horizontal cross sectional area G shown in  FIG. 9  located at the same predetermined distance F from the tip  18   c.  The horizontal cross sectional area G is greater than the horizontal cross sectional area E. The lower portion  20   a  of the golf tee  20  has a tip  20   c  and a horizontal cross sectional area H shown in  FIG. 8  located at the same predetermined distance F from the tip  20   c.  The horizontal cross sectional area H is greater than the horizontal cross sectional area E but less than the horizontal cross sectional area G. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that the golf tee  16  produces a first spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  16   b.  Golf tee  18  produces a second spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  18   b.  The second spin rate is greater than the first spin rate. The golf tee  20  produces a third spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  20   b.  The third spin rate is greater than the first spin rate but less than the second spin rate. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a further set of golf tees includes a golf tee  22 , a golf tee  24  and a golf tee  26 . Golf tees  22 ,  24  and  26  have lower portions  22   a,    24   a  and  26   a,  respectively, for insertion into a holding surface HS such as the ground. Golf tees  22 ,  24  and  26  also have upper portions  22   b,    24   b  and  26   b,  respectively, for supporting a golf ball GB. Certain portions of the golf tees  22 ,  24  and  26  that are located between the lower portions  22   a,    24   a,    26   a  and the upper portions  22   b,    24   b,    26   b  are broken away (not shown) in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0022]    The lower portion  22   a  of golf tee  22  has a first geometry that results in a first resistance to being pressed into a holding surface HS such as the ground. The lower portion  24   a  of golf tee  24  has a second geometry that results in a second resistance to being pressed into the holding surface HS. The second resistance is greater than the first resistance. The lower portion  26   a  of golf tee  26  has a third geometry that results in a third resistance to being pressed into the holding surface HS. The third resistance is greater than the first resistance but less than the second resistance. 
         [0023]    It will be understood that the golf tee  22  produces a first spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  22   b.  Golf tee  24  produces a second spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  24   b.  The second spin rate is greater than the first spin rate. The golf tee  26  produces a third spin rate for a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while being supported on its upper portion  26   b.  The third spin rate is greater than the first spin rate but less than the second spin rate. 
         [0024]    Individuals may generate spin rates of a golf ball that vary from, for example, 1500 to 5000 rpm. Accordingly, the golf tee  10  may be referred to as the “low spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  12  and  14  whereas the golf tee  12  may be referred to as the “high spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  10  and  14 . The golf tee  14  maybe referred to as the “medium spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  10  and  12 . In particular, the golf tee  10  may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  14 , which in turn, may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  12 . As a result, the golf tee  10  may produce about 200 to 400 rpm less than the golf tee  12 . The golf tees described herein are not limited in this regard. 
         [0025]    Following the above example, the golf tee  16  may be referred to as the “low spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  18  and  20  whereas the golf tee  18  may be referred to as the “high spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  16  and  20 . Accordingly, the golf tee  20  may be referred to as the “medium spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  16  and  18 . In particular, the golf tee  16  may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  20 , which in turn, may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  18 . As a result, the golf tee  16  may produce about 200 to 400 rpm less than the golf tee  18 . 
         [0026]    In a similar manner, the golf tee  22  may be referred to as the “low spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  24  and  26  whereas the golf tee  24  may be referred to as the “high spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  22  and  26 . Accordingly, the golf tee  26  may be referred to as the “medium spin rate” golf tee relative to the golf tees  22  and  24 . In particular, the golf tee  22  may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  26 , which in turn, may produce about 100 to 200 rpm less than the golf tee  24 . As a result, the golf tee  22  may produce about 200 to 400 rpm less than the golf tee  24 . 
         [0027]    Golf tees  10 ,  16  and  22  may offer less resistance to the downward push of a golf ball (that is struck by a golf club while being supported by the golf tee) than golf tees  14 ,  20  and  26 , respectively, which results in the golf ball having less spin. Golf tees  12 ,  18  and  24  may offer more resistance to a golf ball (that is struck by a golf club while being supported by the golf tee) than golf tees  14 ,  20 , and  26 , respectively, which may result in the golf ball having more spin. 
         [0028]    Golf tees  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  may made of suitable material such as wood, plastic, rubber, graphite or any combination thereof. Further, although  FIGS. 7-9  may depict a particular horizontal, cross-sectional shape, the golf tees described herein may have other suitable horizontal, cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval-shaped, triangle-shaped, square-shaped, rectangle-shaped, etc.). 
         [0029]    For the sake of this example, it will be understood that golf tees  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  each have an overall length dimension with these overall length dimensions of golf tees  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  being substantially equal. Although the figures may depict the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and  14  having substantially the same length, the dimensions of the golf tees described herein may vary. For example, the length of the golf tees  10 ,  12 , and/or 14  may be different to provide different spin characteristics.