Active golf tee

摘要

Disclosed is a golf tee configured to control spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a plurality of support members to support a golf ball, wherein contact between the golf ball and the plurality of support members is asymmetrically distributed between a first contact area and a second contact area. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a two-part shaft slideably coupled together and an adjustable resistance mechanism to provide a resistive force between the two parts of the golf tee, wherein the resistive force opposes the sliding together of the two parts. The resistance mechanism may be manually or automatically to control spin imparted to the golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball.

主权项

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.