Rite-Hite Golf Tee

Abstract

The Rite-Hite Golf Tee is a golf tee that has a marked shank so that insertion of the tee can be made to a known depth each time by visually seeing the appropriate mark. Any mark on the golf tee (lines, numbers, letters, symbols, raised, depressed, colored sections) can be used to assure consistent golf tee insertion depth. Known golf tee insertion depth equates to known golf ball height above the ground and improved control of the flight of the golf ball.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When playing golf, a golf tee is used to elevate the golf ball so that it may be hit by a golf club. The shank of the golf tee is inserted into the ground and the golf ball is placed on the surface at the upper end of the golf tee. The depth of insertion is not known and not consistent and the ability to strike the ball at the same height above the ground is unlikely. This inability to strike the ball at the same height can cause poor control of the flight of the golf ball. A number of U.S. patents deal with the issue of golf tee placement.

Some describe a tool that is used to insert a tee into the ground to a desired depth (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,989,868; 5,085,431; 5,634,862; and 6, 524,047; and U.S. Patent Application 20020103044). Another approach is to insert the tee into a device that limits penetration of the tee into the ground (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,510 and 6,475,107). Others make the golf tee shank adjustable (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,516,780 and 5,242,161). One patent for a distance enhancing golf tee (U.S. Patent Application 20020002088) has stress concentrators or notches on the shaft of the golf tee which can be used to determine depth of tee insertion into the ground.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Rite-Hite Golf Tee is designed to eliminate the problem of varying golf ball height on the golf tee by marking the golf tee shank with height marks of various kinds. These marks are used to assist the golfer or caddy with depth of insertion of the golf tee so that the height of the golf ball when resting on the golf tee is known.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a depicts a golf tee with marks imprinted on the golf tee shank. These marks can be lines, numbers, letters or any other symbols. The number and spacing of marks can vary and may or may not be completely around the circumference of the golf tee shank.

FIG. 1b depicts a golf tee shank with raised marks. The number and spacing of marks can vary and may nor may not be completely around the circumference of the golf tee shank.

FIG. 1c depicts a golf tee shank with colored sections. The number and spacing of these sections can vary and may or may not be completely around the circumference of the golf tee shank.

FIG. 1d depicts a golf tee shank with depressed marks. The number and spacing of marks can vary and may nor may not be completely around the circumference of the golf tee shank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A golf tee has two main parts. The first is the top of the tee upon which the golf ball rests, the cup. The second is the shank of the tee that is inserted into the ground. Marking the shank in various increments along its length adds a depth gauge directly to the golf tee. Thus, the marks can be used to insert the golf tee into the ground to a known depth each time.

Claims

1. A marking system for the golf tee using lines, numbers, letters, other symbols, raised marks, colored sections, or depressed marks on the shank; so that the marks can be used to insert the golf tee into the ground to a known depth; so that the golf ball rests on the tee cup at a known height; and the control of the flight of the golf ball can be enhanced by eliminating the height of the golf ball above the ground as a variable.