Golf tees � golf equipment and accessories � history of the tee

 We take golf tees for granted, but how did the come to be a vital piece of our golf equipment and accessories?

The original tee

The word "tee" as it relates to the game of golf originated as the name for the area where a golfer played. In 1889, the first documented portable golf tee was patented by Scottish golfers William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas. This golf tee was made from rubber and had three vertical rubber prongs that held the ball in place but would not be recognisable today as a piece of golf equipment and accessories because it lay on the ground rather than piercing it.

A more recognisable tee

In 1892, a British patent was granted to Percy Ellis for his "Perfectum" tee that did pierce the ground. This was a rubber golf tee with a metal spike which was closer to that which we know as an item of golf equipment and accessories. The 1897 the "Victor" tee was similar and included a cup-shaped top to better hold the golf ball. The Vicktor was patented by Scotsmen PM Matthews. The first American patent was issued to Scotsman David Dalziel in 1895, and the 1899 patent for an improved golf tee was issued to George Grant.

George Grant

George Grant was interested in the physics of golfing. He set about to improve the game of golf and as a result he received U.S. patent No. 638,920 on December 12, 1899 for an improved golf tee which added to the golfer's equipment and accessories. He was also recognized internationally for his invention of the oblate palate, a prosthetic device he designed for treatment of the cleft palate. Dr. George Grant graduated from Harvard Dental School in 1870. He was one of two African American to first graduate from Harvard Dental school, where he later taught.

More Golfing Dentists

Strange as it may seem, other dentists have patented golf tees, improving the prospects of golfers and their equipment and accessories. In 1922, dentist William Lowell designed a red-painted, cone-shaped, wooden peg with a small concave platform that was patented and became the world's first commercially produced golf tee called the "reddy tee." Recently dentist, Arnold DiLaura, patented the Sof-Tee, a tee that sits on top of the ground instead of in it.

Teed off

The original form of tee was very different from the golf equipment and accessories we know today, because it was a little heap of sand. The notion of �teeing off' meaning "place a ball on a golf tee" not only relates to golf, but is also used in everyday language to mean �very fed up'.

A division of Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs , California , we have been making quality sporting goods for 35 years. We sell a huge range of sports equipment, including golf tees as part of our golf equipment and accessories. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us.

To order, phone 1-800-603-0004.