Patent ID: 8469838

Claim:
A golf tee comprising: a stem comprising an elongate member having a first end for inserting into the ground and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending centrally along a length of the elongate member from the first end to the second end defining a central axis of the golf tee and defining an upward direction of the golf tee; and a body supported by the second end, substantially centered about the central axis, and having a top surface, the body comprising: a seating portion about the central axis in the top surface for retaining a golf ball in place subsequent to insertion of the stem into the ground and prior to an initial impact from a head of a golf club; and a flange portion forming a straight edge aligned substantially perpendicular to the central axis, the straight edge spaced in the upward direction away from a position along the central axis of the seating portion and spaced perpendicularly away from the central axis such that while the golf ball is retained in the seating portion the straight edge is spaced apart from an outer surface of the golf ball, the flange portion for, prior to the initial impact, being positioned by rotational orientation of the golf tee about the central axis such that the straight edge is aligned substantially parallel with a direction of motion of the head immediately prior to the initial impact, the straight edge for coming into contact with the golf ball immediately after the initial impact.