Golf tee

Abstract

SOLUTION: A golf tee for supporting a golf ball comprises: a rigid spine section comprising a first spine end and a second spine end; a barb located at the first spine end and adapted for insertion of the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; and a ball rest section located at the second spine end. The spine section is elongate and comprises opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges. The ball rest section is circular and comprises a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support the golf ball when the barb is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position. The castellations are arranged to circumferentially surround an upper surface of the ball rest section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] GOLF TEE FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a golf tee, and more particularly to a golf tee for improving the interaction between the golf club and the ball.

[0002] The present invention has been developed primarily as an improved golf tee and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application, however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular technical field. [Background technology]

[0003] The discussion of background art throughout this specification should not be taken as an admission that such background art is generally known in Australia or the world, or forms part of the general knowledge in the field, at the priority date of this application.

[0004] All documents, including patents or patent applications, cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference, which means that they should be read and understood by the reader as part of this text. Documents, documents, patent applications or patents cited in this text are not repeated in this text solely for the sake of brevity.

[0005] Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention described herein may be subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The present invention includes all such variations and modifications. The present invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions, and compounds mentioned or shown in this specification, individually or collectively, as well as any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

[0006] Golf is a highly technical sport, where slight changes in swing, gear, or technique can have a large effect on the outcome. A key goal for the vast majority of golfers, from beginners to professionals, is to achieve a consistent impact and thereby modulate the flight of the ball. The complex interactions between the ground, golf tee, ball, and golf club when impacting the ball from the golf tee are among the many factors that affect the impact and flight of the ball.

[0007] Golf tees are typically used to hit the ball when playing golf. Golf tees are used when playing the game and when practicing, especially at golf driving ranges and similar facilities. Traditional golf tees are made of a single piece with a center shaft that can be inserted into the ground and a cupped ball holder that holds the ball at the proper height above the ground for hitting. In such designs, the entire tee is fixed to the ground. In most golf tee designs, the top of the golf tee is often a cup-like or concave surface that is in full direct contact with the convex curved surface of the outer surface of the golf ball. When the golf ball is hit, such close contact creates a lot of friction and other interference factors. When the ball is placed on the concave curved surface of the tee, the lip of the tee interferes with the trajectory and spin of the ball, so that a large amount of energy from the golf club head is transferred to the tee and the ground instead of the ball.

[0008] Generally, to maximize ball distance off the tee, players with slower ball speeds require a higher launch angle and a higher ball spin rate, while players with faster ball speeds require a lower launch angle and a lower spin rate. Thus, ball spin is one of many important factors that affect ball distance and is commonly used as a metric for optimizing a player's swing and club selection.

[0009] When a golfer hits off a tee, the resistance force provided by being anchored to the ground is transferred to the club face of the golf club, which can in turn affect the ball's trajectory, speed, location of impact, and ball flight. Furthermore, even if the player simply hits the ball off a tee rather than the tee itself, ground resistance is still transferred through the golf ball to the golf club, again affecting important hitting parameters.

[0010] Tees are generally inexpensive devices, often made of wood, and easily damaged. A typical tee 1 (shown in FIG. 1) includes a cylindrical shaft 3 pointed at one end 5 for penetrating the ground, and a concave round ball rest 7 at the other end, centered above the shaft, that is complementary to the shape of a golf ball 10. Optimally, the tee 1 elevates and stabilizes the position of the golf ball 10 prior to the tee-off swing, but does not impede the ball's motion after it has been struck by the club. Unfortunately, the objectives of stabilizing the ball and minimizing interference are often at odds. The more stable the contact between the tee and the golf ball, the more resistance the tee offers to the ball. Even slight contact between the tee and the ball can affect the lift, spin, and / or forward motion of the ball.

[0011] To overcome these limitations, various approaches have been devised, such as golf tees with smaller ball rests 7 and golf tees with multiple or multiple individual arms supporting the ball that have a smaller tee-to-ball contact area than the conventional golf tee shown in FIG. 1 (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,435,139, 7,704,166, 6,344,003, 6,053,822, U.S. Design Patent No. D69586, U.S. Design Patent No. D604,375, and U.S. Design Patent No. D597,156).

[0012] There is a need to provide a golf tee that provides the least amount of resistance or interference with the club face of the golf club. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0014] The present invention provides a golf tee that is designed to provide minimal resistance or friction against a golf ball, thereby allowing the golf ball to travel farther.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf tee for supporting a golf ball. The tee may comprise a rigid spine portion having a first spine end and a second spine end. The tee may further comprise a barb located at the first spine end adapted for inserting the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position. The tee may further comprise a ball rest portion located at the second spine end. The spine portion may be elongated with opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges. The ball rest portion may be circular. The ball rest portion may comprise a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support a golf ball when the barb is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position. The castellations may be arranged to circumferentially surround an upper surface of the ball rest portion.

[0016] According to a particular arrangement of a first aspect, there is provided a golf tee for supporting a golf ball, the golf tee comprising: a rigid spine portion having a first spine end and a second spine end; a barb located at a first end of the spine adapted to insert the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; a ball rest portion located at the second spine end, the spine is elongated and has opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges; the ball rest portion is circular and includes a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support a golf ball when the spine is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position; The castellations are disposed so as to surround the periphery of the upper surface of the ball rest portion.

[0017] Each of the plurality of castellations may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Each of the plurality of polygonal castellations may have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape.

[0018] The barbs may be generally circular in cross-sectional shape.

[0019] The barbs may include edges adapted to increase the resistance of the tee to being pulled out of the ground.

[0020] The ball rest portion may include opposed extending arms adapted to fixedly engage the rigid spine portion.

[0021] The castellations may be formed from a rubberized polymer, and the rubberized polymer castellations may be configured to minimize the contact surface area between the ball and the castellations.

[0022] The rigid spine portion may be formed from a rigid plastic material and may include opposed wings adapted to limit an insertion depth of the tee when inserted into the ground such that when so inserted, the ball rest portion is at a predetermined height above the ground and a golf ball resting on the golf tee is at a preferred height above the ground for striking the ball with a golf club.

[0023] The ball rest portion may include rigid extending arm portions adapted to fixedly engage opposing wings of the rigid spine portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] Notwithstanding other forms which may fall within the scope of the invention, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art golf tee and golf ball. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2D] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2E] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2F] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 2G] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4C] FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of an improved golf tee in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the winged tee shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C according to the present invention. [Figure 5B]FIG. 5 is a detail view of the winged tee shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C according to the present invention. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the winged tee shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In the drawings, like structures are referenced with like numerals throughout. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0026] [Definition] The following definitions are provided as general definitions and should in no way limit the scope of the present invention solely to these terms, but are presented for a better understanding of the following description.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, it will be understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of this specification and related art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein. For the purposes of this invention, additional terms are defined below. Furthermore, all definitions defined and used herein should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms, unless there is any doubt as to the meaning of a particular term, in which case the general dictionary definition and / or common usage of the term shall take precedence.

[0028] For purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0029] As used herein, a "golf ball" is a particular type of sports ball designed for use in the game of golf. Golf balls are small, dense balls that usually have a hard outer coating surrounding a core and may be composed of multiple layers that affect the overall softness, spin, speed, and other aspects of the ball's performance. The Rules of Golf set standards for the minimum size, maximum weight, spherical symmetry, initial velocity, and total distance of golf balls used in tournaments. Under the Rules of Golf, a golf ball has a mass of 1.620 ounces (49.5 g) or less, a diameter of 1.680 inches (42.7 mm) or less, and performs within specified speed, distance, and symmetry limits.

[0030] "Golf tee" and "tee" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a device used to lift a golf ball off the ground. Tees are typically made of wood, plastic or other similar materials. The rules state that a tee may not be: -Longer than 4 inches. · Be designed or constructed in such a way that it may indicate a line of play. - Excessively influencing the movement of the ball. Or assisting a player in any stroke or play.

[0031] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" refers to one element or to more than one element.

[0032] The term "about" is used herein to refer to an amount that varies by 30%, preferably 20%, and more preferably 10% relative to a reference amount. The use of the word "about" to modify a numerical value merely expressly indicates that the numerical value is not to be interpreted as an exact value.

[0033] In the claims and in the detailed description of the invention, unless the context requires otherwise by express language or necessary implication, the word "comprises" or similar words such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of stated features but are not used to exclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0034] As used herein, any one of the terms "including" or "which includes" or "that includes" is also an open term meaning "including at least" an element / feature but not excluding others. Thus, "including" is synonymous with "comprises" and means "comprises."

[0035] Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible embodiments. Indeed, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of possible embodiments includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the set of claims.

[0036] The term "and / or" as used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted similarly, i.e., to mean "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related to the specifically identified elements or not. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising," may refer in one embodiment to only A (optionally including elements other than B), in another embodiment to only B (optionally including elements other than A), in yet another embodiment to both A and B (optionally including other elements), etc.

[0037] As used herein and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" is to be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., including at least one, including more than one, and optionally including additional items not in the list. Only terms clearly indicating the contrary, such as "only any one of," "exactly any one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "either one or the other, but not both") only when preceded by a term of exclusivity, such as "any," "any one of," "only any one of," or "exactly any one of." When used in the claims, "consisting essentially of" shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0038] In this specification, when method steps are described in a sequence, the sequence does not necessarily imply chronological execution of the steps in that sequence, unless there is no other logical way to interpret the sequence.

[0039] Furthermore, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of a Markush group, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is thereby also described in terms of any individual element or subgroup of elements of the Markush group.

[0040] [Detailed Description] The present invention provides a golf tee that minimizes the impact on a golf ball when struck by a golf club. Specifically, the golf tee of the present invention is designed to reduce or eliminate contact between the tee and the golf ball that is not necessary to support the golf ball on the tee. Furthermore, the tee is designed to eliminate interference with the forward motion of the ball off the tee. The tee of the present invention has a minimal contact area with the ball, and the contact points are strategically located so that the forward motion of the ball is minimally affected by the tee. Specifically, the tee of the present invention reduces or eliminates the drag and friction of the ball struck by the golf club through the raised nubs or castellations on the ball rest of the improved tee as described herein. These castellations minimize the contact surface area between the tee and the ball, thereby minimizing the generation of unwanted spin when the ball is struck by a golf club from the tee, thereby allowing the golf ball to travel a greater distance for the same amount of force applied to the golf shot. In one embodiment, the tee of the present invention causes a golf ball to travel at least about 1%, at least about 2%, or at least about 5% farther when teeing off than the same ball tee'd off a conventional tee (control) by the same golfer using the same club. In one embodiment, the ball typically travels about 1-2% farther than the same ball tee'd off by the same golfer using the same club and conventional tee.

[0041] Golf balls contain dimples to reduce wind resistance (also known as "air resistance" or "drag"). When drag is minimized, the golf ball travels farther through the air. The air surrounding a smooth ball in motion is "cut off" from the ball and instead follows the faster moving air currents further away from the ball, effectively creating a wake behind the ball. As a result, a wake or area of ​​low pressure is created behind the ball, which acts as a vacuum pulling the ball backwards. As golfers of the past, who used smooth balls, discovered, a worn and scratched golf ball would fly farther than a new ball. This effect could be replicated by creating a pattern of scratches or dents on the ball. Golf ball manufacturers later learned that a pattern of concave dents (i.e., "dimples") produced the same effect, and learned to vary the size, shape, number, and placement of the dimples.

[0042] The ball can change the airflow above it by adding dimples. Around each dimple there are several small pockets of turbulence. The surrounding high-speed airflow is mixed with the nearby airflow by the turbulence, preventing the ball from falling out of the airstream. Because the wind around the ball is stronger, no wake develops behind the ball. On the other hand, dimples increase drag somewhat. However, an increase in "Magnus lift" (the force that lifts a rotating object as it moves through a medium such as air) is also introduced. Driven golf balls exhibit "backspin" (i.e. the ball rotates backwards as it rolls towards the golfer), which creates a phenomenon known as "Magnus lift".

[0043] Backspin provides an upward force that lifts the ball. However, when a golf tee contacts the dimples on a golf ball, the backspin of the ball is reduced, which can reduce the potential for Magnus lift. When the dimples contact the golf tee, it becomes difficult to hit the golf ball with enough force to achieve maximum lift, speed, and distance. The effect of the tee on the spin of the golf ball is eliminated by keeping the golf tee of the present invention from contacting the dimples on the golf ball, specifically by avoiding contact with the recessed centers of the dimples.

[0044] Modifications and variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. Functionally equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention described herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0045] The exemplary embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are described, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many different forms, and that none of these should be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0046] Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. The use of the singular includes the plural unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "including", "having" or variations thereof are inclusive and thus specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0048] Turning now to the figures, Figures 2A-2C show a golf tee 100 for supporting a golf ball. The tee 100 comprises a rigid spine portion 101 having a first spine end 101a and a second spine end 101b. The rigidity of the spine 101 assists a user in inserting the tee 100 into the ground during a game of golf. A barb 103 is disposed at the first spine end 101a. The barb 103 is adapted to insert the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position. The barb 103 is generally circular in cross-sectional shape and comprises an edge 103a adapted to increase the resistance of the tee 100 to being pulled out of the ground, particularly when struck by a golf club.

[0049] A ball rest portion 105 is disposed at the second spine end 101b. The ball rest portion 105 is circular and includes a plurality of raised castellations 107 adapted to support a golf ball when the spines 103 and spine 101 are inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position. The castellations 107 are disposed generally circumferentially around the upper surface 105a of the ball rest portion 105. The ball rest portion 105 is preferably formed from a rubberized polymer material. Similarly, the castellations 107 are formed from a rubberized polymer material. The combination of the castellations 107 combined with the rubberized polymer promotes a reduction in unwanted backspin of the golf ball after it is struck and launched by a golf club, as the side spin of the golf ball increases, causing the golf ball to veer off-line, thereby reducing the distance traveled by the ball. Also, as the backspin increases, the carry distance of the ball decreases. For experienced golfers who are able to minimize the side spin of the ball (i.e., minimize the slicing or hooking of the ball during flight), reducing the backspin of the ball is the most important factor in increasing the drive distance. Therefore, it is advantageous to minimize the contact area between the tee 100 and the golf ball 10 that causes the golf ball to impart spin when it leaves the tee. Since, for a given club and a given launch speed, a reduction in the backswing speed of the ball leaving the tee generally leads to an increase in the carry distance at any loft angle, a golfer can generally expect to carry the ball longer from the tee by using a tee 100 that imparts a reduced backspin rate compared to a conventional tee without changing other swing parameters, as can be seen in Table 1, which shows the results of a comparison test using the Trackman Golf system between the tee 100 disclosed herein (Tour Tee 100), a rubber tee, a driving mat tee, and a wooden tee.Table 1 clearly shows that the average spin rate of balls launched off the tee using the Tour Tee 100 is significantly reduced while maintaining a similar average club speed. [Table 1]

[0050] From Table 1, it can be seen that, on average, golf balls hit from the Tour Tee 100 have approximately 2% faster ball speeds and approximately 37% lower spin rates than balls hit from the Prior Art Wooden Tee 1 of FIG. 1. In testing, it was also observed that the spin rates of balls hit from the Tee 100 were up to 56% lower than balls hit from a wooden tee (minimum test spin rate of 1290 rpm and total drive distance of 273.2 m for the Tour Tee 100 compared to a minimum spin of 2280 rpm and total distance of 261.8 m observed using a wooden tee). It is also notable from Table 1 that while the carry distance of a golf ball when hit from the Tee 100 is comparable to balls hit from the Prior Art Tee, the lower ball height and landing angle translate into an average of approximately 4-5% increase in the total distance traveled by the golf ball compared to the same golfer using the Prior Art Wooden Tee 1 of FIG. 1.

[0051] In a particular arrangement, the spine 101 is elongate with two opposing flat edges 101a and two opposing rounded edges 101b, as seen in detailed cross section in FIG. 2D.

[0052] Each of the plurality of castellations 107 may have a circular or generally polygonal cross-sectional shape. In a particular arrangement, each of the plurality of polygonal castellations 107 may have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, as seen in the detailed top and side views of Figures 1F and 1G, respectively.

[0053] 3A-3C show a further embodiment golf tee 300. As above, tee 300 comprises a rigid spine 301, barbs 303, and a ball rest portion 305 comprising a plurality of castellations 307. In embodiment 300, ball rest portion 305 comprises opposing extending arms 309 adapted to rigidly engage rigid spine portion 301. As above, spine portion 301 is elongated with two opposing flat edges 301b and two opposing rounded edges 301c formed by arms 309.

[0054] 4A and 4B show a further embodiment of a golf tee 400. As above, the tee 400 comprises a rigid spine portion 401, a barb portion 403, and a ball rest portion 405 comprising a plurality of castellations 407. In embodiment 400, the spine 401 comprises opposed wings 411a and 411b adapted to limit the insertion depth of the tee 400 when inserted into the ground such that when so inserted, the ball rest portion 405 is at a predetermined height above the ground such that a golf ball resting on the golf tee 400 is at a preferred height above the ground for striking the ball with a golf club.

[0055] The ball rest portion 405 further includes opposing extending arms 409a and 409b adapted to fixedly engage respective wings 411a and 411b of the winged rigid spine portion 401. As above, the spine portion 401 is elongated with two opposing flat edges 401b and two opposing rounded edges 401c formed by the arms 409.

[0056] 5A-5C are detailed views of the winged tee 400, respectively showing the winged spine 401 of FIG. 4B showing the wing-like projections 411a and 411b of the rigid spine 401 and the complementary winged extension arms 409a and 409b of the ball rest portion 405. The winged spine 401 includes a plurality of projections 413, and the winged extension arms 409a and 409b include complementary structures 415 that function to secure the winged extension arms 409a and 409b to the winged spine 401. Similarly, the wing-like projections 411a and 411b of the rigid spine 401 include formations 414 adapted to engage complementary structures 416 of the extension arms 409a and 409b to secure the ball rest portion 405 to the winged rigid spine 401.

[0057] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments 100, 300 and 400, the rigid spine portion is formed from a rigid plastic material. During the manufacture of the tee of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the ball rest portion 105, 305 and 405 including the extension arm 109a, 309a and 409a, respectively, is formed by co-extruding or overmolding the corresponding spine portion 101, 301 and 401 with a rubberized polymeric material including a plurality of castellations 107, 307 and 407, respectively.

[0058] In a further arrangement, the ball rest portions 205 and 305 of the tees 200 and 300, respectively, can be manufactured separately from the respective spines 201 and 301. For example, the ball rest portions 205 and 305 can be initially manufactured from a rigid plastic material including the rigid extension arms 209a and 309a, respectively, and a core portion (not shown) at one end, and the ball rest portion including the castellations 207, 307 can be co-extruded or overmolded onto the ball rest rigid core portion. In such an arrangement, the rigid extension arms 209a and 309a, respectively, can more securely engage the respective rigid spine portions 201 and 301, providing greater rigidity to the tees 200, 300, thereby reducing the incidence of breakage of the tees during use.

[0059] In this specification, numerous specific details are described. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this specification.

[0060] [Scope of the present invention] While what is believed to be a preferred arrangement of the invention has thus been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Functions may be added or deleted from the block diagrams, operations may be interchanged between functional blocks, and steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the invention.

[0061] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be embodied in many other forms. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] It will be appreciated that the methods, apparatus, devices and systems described or illustrated above at least substantially provide a golf tee as described above for improving the interaction between the golf tee and a golf club or ball.

[0063] The golf tees described herein and / or shown in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, individual aspects and components of the golf tees may be modified and therefore substituted with known equivalents or unknown alternatives as may be developed in the future or alternatives that may be found to be acceptable in the future. The golf tees may also be modified for various applications while remaining within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is large and the golf tees of the present invention are intended to be adaptable to many such variations.

Claims

1. 1. A golf tee for supporting a golf ball, comprising: a rigid spine portion having a first spine end and a second spine end; a barb located at the first spine end and adapted to insert the golf tee into the ground in a substantially vertical position; a ball rest portion located at the second spine end, the rigid spine is elongated and has opposing flat edges and two opposing rounded edges; the ball rest portion is circular and includes a plurality of raised castellations adapted to support the golf ball when the spine is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical position; A golf tee, wherein the plurality of castellations are arranged to surround the periphery of an upper surface of the ball rest portion.

2. The golf tee of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of castellations has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

3. The golf tee of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of polygonal castellations has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape.

4. The golf tee of claim 1 , wherein the spine is generally circular in cross-sectional shape.

5. 5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the spines include edges adapted to increase resistance to removal of the golf tee from the ground.

6. 6. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the ball rest portion includes opposed extending arms adapted to fixedly engage the rigid spine portion.

7. The golf tee of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of castellations are formed from a rubberized polymer.

8. 8. The golf tee of claim 7, wherein the plurality of rubberized polymer castellations are configured to minimize a contact surface area between the ball and the castellations.

9. 9. A golf tee according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rigid spine portion is formed from a rigid plastic material.

10. 10. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the rigid spine portion comprises opposed wing portions adapted to limit an insertion depth of the golf tee when inserted into the ground such that the ball rest portion is located at a predetermined height above the ground and a golf ball placed on the golf tee is located at a preferred height above the ground for hitting the golf ball with a golf club.

11. 11. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the ball rest portion comprises a rigid extending arm portion adapted to fixedly engage the opposing wing portions of the rigid spine portion.

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