Golf tee encapsulating spark induction material and method for improving golf performance

Abstract

A golf tee has a contact alert material encapsulated therein. The golf tee includes a top portion with top, side and bottom walls fixedly attached to a shaft that terminates into a point appointed to be inserted into a ground surface. A cavity is formed between the top, side and bottom walls of the top portion. A contact alert material is encapsulated within the cavity and is composed of a combustible material that generates a spark on impact. The contact alert material is appointed to generate the spark during a golf swing when a golf club strikes the ball and the side walls. The alert is provided immediately as instantaneous feedback during the golf swing adapted to thereby improve muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing.

Claims

1. A golf tee having a contact alert material encapsulated therein comprising: a. a top portion with a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall, said bottom wall of said top portion being fixedly attached to a shaft that terminates into a point, said point and a portion of said shaft being appointed to be inserted into a ground surface when a golfer is getting ready to tee off and a golf ball is placed on said top wall of said top portion; b. a cavity formed between said top, side and bottom walls of said top portion; a. a contact alert material being encapsulated within said cavity and being composed of a combustible material that is placed under pressure and compression by said side walls and generates a spark on impact; d) said side walls having a shallow depth and being composed of a side wall material that is a different material than rest of said gold tee and that breaks or shatters upon impact by a head of a golf club so that said golf club instantaneously strikes said contact alert material encapsulated in the golf tee; whereby said contact alert material is appointed to generate said spark during a golf swing when said golf club strikes said ball and said side walls, said alert being provided immediately as instantaneous feedback during said golf swing adapted to thereby improve muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing.

2. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said side walls have a shallow depth ranging from about 0.001-3.0 mm.

3. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said side wall material is a cellulose material.

4. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said side wall material is a polymeric material.

5. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said side walls are composed of a thin film layer of a wax, paraffin or polymeric material that is adapted to immediately rupture to provide contact to said contact alert material upon impact with said golf club head.

6. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material also generates a sound upon impact.

7. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material is entirely encapsulated within said cavity.

8. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material has a thickness ranging from about 0.003 inches to 1.5 inches.

9. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material has a thickness ranging from about 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches.

10. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material further comprises a coloring to generate different color sparks.

11. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material comprises zirconium.

12. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said alert material comprises mercury fulminate.

13. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material comprises silver fulminate.

14. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material comprises zirconium is entirely encapsulated within said golf tee and not on an exterior or outside of said golf tee.

15. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said contact alert material is adapted to generate a spark when contacted by said head of said golf club swung at speeds ranging from about 70 to 120 mph.

16. A golf tee as recited by claim 1 comprising a golf training system including a golf ball, a golf club and said golf tee.

17. A method of use of a golf tee with a golf training aid having a golf club and a golf ball for encouraging proper golfing form, said golf tee comprising: a) a top portion with a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall, said bottom wall of said top portion being fixedly attached to a shaft that terminates into a point, said point and a portion of said shaft being appointed to be inserted into a ground surface when a golfer is getting ready to tee off and a golf ball is placed on said top wall of said top portion; b) a cavity formed between said top, side and bottom walls of said top portion; c) contact alert material being encapsulated within said cavity and being composed of a combustible material that is placed under pressure and compression by said side walls and generates a spark on impact; d) side walls having a shallow depth and being composed of a side wall material that is a different material than rest of said golf tee and that breaks or shatters upon impact by a head of a golf club so that said golf club instantaneously strikes said contact alert material encapsulated in the golf tee; whereby said contact alert material is appointed to generate said spark during a golf swing when said golf club strikes said ball and said side walls, said alert being provided immediately as instantaneous feedback during said golf swing adapted to thereby improve muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing.

18. A method of manufacturing a golf tee having a contact alert material encapsulated therein comprising: a) forming mating first half and second half of said golf tee, each first half and second half having a half of a top wall, side walls with a cavity and a bottom wall, said bottom wall of said top portion being fixedly attached to a half shaft that terminates into a half point, said side walls having a shallow depth and being composed of a side wall material that is a different material than rest of said golf tee and that breaks or shatters upon impact by a head of a golf club so that said golf club instantaneously strikes said contact alert material encapsulated in the golf tee; b) inserting a contact alert material composed of a combustible material that generates a spark on impact within each of said cavity of said first half and second half; c) attaching said first half to said second half to form golf tee so that said contact alert material is encapsulated within said golf tee and is placed under pressure and compression by said side walls and generates said spark; whereby said contact alert material is appointed to generate said spark during a golf swing when said golf club strikes said ball and said side walls, said alert being provided immediately as instantaneous feedback during said golf swing adapted to thereby improve muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing.

19. A golf tee as recited by claim 1, wherein said side wall material is composed of one or more of nitrocellulose, potassium nitrate and priming powder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee;

(3) FIG. 2a illustrates a side plan view of another embodiment of the subject golf tee with a golf ball mounted thereon;

(4) FIG. 2b illustrates a top plan view of FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 2c illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along A-A of the golf tee of FIG. 2a;

(6) FIG. 2d illustrates molding of the golf tee of FIG. 2a;

(7) FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee;

(8) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line x-x in FIG. 3;

(9) FIG. 5 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee in use with a golfer getting ready to tee off in proper form;

(10) FIG. 6 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee in use, showing impact of a club head with the golf tee, and a spark generated from the coating on the golf tee;

(11) FIG. 7 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee wherein the golf tee has a spiral-shaped body;

(12) FIG. 8a illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee wherein the golf tee is shaped having divots containing a higher concentration of spark inducing substance;

(13) FIG. 8b illustrates a top view of the tee of FIG. 8a; and

(14) FIG. 8c illustrates a sectional view of FIG. 8a taken along XX.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) This invention relates to a golf tee having a spark generating material is encapsulated therein, and a method of using a golf tee, that sparks only, or in an alternative embodiment sparks and makes an audible sound upon being struck by a golf club. The subject invention is directed towards a golf tee especially suited for use with a golf ball and a golf club.

(16) The subject golf tee comprises a spark induction golf tee with the spark induction material encapsulated within the golf tee, as opposed to a coating or only a coating on the tee. Preferably, the spark induction material is comprised of zirconium or mercury fulminate or silver fulminate or similar material that sparks on impact. The subject golf tee is preferably the same shape as an average golf tee, or it may be wider than the average golf tee. The subject tee may be made of wood or plastic or a material that pulverizes upon impact with the golf club.

(17) The spark induction material or contact alert material is encapsulated within the golf tee as opposed to a coating on the tee. The material is preferably composed of zirconium or mercury fulminate or silver fulminate, nitrocellulose, potassium nitrate and/or priming powder, combinations thereof, or similar material that sparks on impact. The tee may be the same shape as an average golf tee or a golf tee that is wider than average. The golf tee may be made of wood or plastic or even a material but in any event the side walls are very thin or have a shallow thickness so that the side walls break, shatter or pulverize upon impact by the golf club and the golf club instantaneously strikes the spark induction material encapsulated in the golf tee. The golf tee has a contact alert coating substantially, or entirely, encapsulated within the golf tee. In a first embodiment, the golf tee comprises a top portion with a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall, the bottom wall of the top portion being fixedly attached to a shaft that terminates into a point. The point and a portion of the shaft is appointed to be inserted into a ground surface when a golfer is getting ready to tee off and a golf ball is placed on the top wall of the top portion. A cavity is formed between the top, side and bottom walls of the top portion and a contact alert material is encapsulated within the cavity. The contact alert material being composed of a combustible material that generates a spark on impact. The contact alert material is appointed to generate the spark during a golf swing when the head of the golf club strikes the ball and the side walls, fracturing the side walls and striking the contact alert material at a material/golf tee interface. The alert provides immediate as instantaneous feedback during the golf swing adapted to thereby improve muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing. The resultant spark allows the golfer to really know that he/she kept his/her head down in real time, as the golfer is hitting the ball. This ensures real time direct and immediate feedback that the proper golf stroke was executed, which can immediately be realized by the golfer and/other nearby. The immediate feedback provided by generation of an alert when the club head contacts the golf ball/golf tee interface constitutes a prerequisite for connoting proper correlation of the arms, torso and legs during the golf swing, to establish the muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing and thereby achieve proper golfing form. Even further, the propensity of the golf tee to generate a spark when properly struck, encourages the golfer to look for the spark and keep his head in the downward facing position throughout the golf swing, thereby promoting proper golfing form.

(18) When struck by the head of a golf club, the contact alert material located on the subject golf tee generates an alert in the form of a spark (or a spark with an audible sound, such as a snap or bang), thereby immediately informing the user as to whether the user's golf swing has been properly executed. Proper golfing form is promoted by encouraging the golfer to keep his head in the downward facing position throughout the golf swing. A golfer simply tees-up the ball in the usual way.

(19) Advantageously, the subject golf tee does not require any alterations to the designs of either the golf ball or the golf club, which would adversely affect the trajectory of the ball. Additionally, information regarding proper golfing form is provided immediately, during the golf swing, when the golf club head strikes the ball, thereby improving muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing. The golf tee can be used in compliance with rules and regulations of golf courses and tournaments as it is for use with standard regulation golf clubs and golf balls that are unadulterated or un-manipulated as required under golf organization rules and regulations of the USGA.

(20) The golf tee body with its attached shaft is appointed to be inserted into the ground. The contact alert material is encapsulated within at least a portion of the top portion of the golf tee body. The material is composed of a combustible material (preferably a spark inducing composition or a spark and sound generating composition) that will generate an alert when struck by a golf club. Therefore, when a user's golf club head strikes the ball and strikes and breaks or shatters or pulverizes the side wall so the tee, the golf club instantaneously strikes the contact alert material of the Golf Tee at the material/Golf Tee interface, an alert spark is generated thereby immediately informing the user if a golf swing has been properly executed.

(21) Significantly, the alert produced by the contact alert encapsulated material of the subject golf tee is generated, reliably relayed to, and received by the user at the point of impact between the club head and the ball (during the golf swing); not after the golf swing has occurred. Instantaneous feedback is provided, thereby improving muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing. No alterations are required to the designs of either the golf ball or the golf club, which would adversely affect the trajectory of the ball. Any alterations of the golf ball and/or golf club could also render the ball and club as falling outside of golf rules and regulations and would likely cause a player to be disqualified in tournaments and league matches.

(22) Advantageously, the subject golf tee device does not require any alterations to the design of the golf ball or golf club, which would adversely affect the trajectory of the ball. Further, it is considerably less expensive and more efficient to place an alert coating on a golf tee, rather than on each and every golf ball being used. Still further, the immediate feedback provided by generation of an alert when the club head contacts the golf ball/golf tee interface constitutes a necessary prerequisite for connoting proper correlation of the arms, torso and legs during the golf swing, to establish the muscle memory required to reliably replicate a proper golf swing and thereby achieve proper golfing form. By having the coating solely on the tee of the subject golf tee, but not on the ball or on the club head face, immediate feedback during the swing (not afterwards) is provided that helps the player lock in the proper swing mechanics, keep his head down, and improve his/her golf swing. These advantages are achieved without causing the user/golfer to be disqualified during a round or golf tournament or game.

(23) Uniquely, the subject golf tee is especially well suited for use with a golf ball and golf club to provide a training aid that is fun to use and entertaining, as well. Proper golfing form is promoted by encouraging the golfer to keep his head in the downward facing position throughout the golf swing. When using the subject golf tee with spark induction material encapsulated therein, a golfer simply tees-up the ball in the usual way. The tee is encapsulated with a substance such as ground-up asphalt, small metallic pieces (for example magnesium; zirconium), gunpowder, black powder, flint, aluminum, aluminum fines, flitter, or granules, and iron; or other substances that are prone to sparking when contacted by the head of a golf club swung at approximately 100 mph. Typically, a binding agent is used, such as a starch or sugar, wherein the metallic pieces are mixed and coated on the golf tee. Colors, including gold, red, green and blue, for example, can be utilized in combination with the substance which, in turn, may be a combustible material, preferably a gunpowder type material consisting of sodium and/or potassium nitrates (or chlorates) with sulfur and carbon, and powdered metals such as iron, aluminum, or magnesium. Because the material is encapsulated within the golf tee, the material is not exposed to air or the elements and therefor there is no risk of oxidation or moisture absorption and/or adulteration during storage or packaging. What is more, encapsulation of the material prevents the material from being ruptured or otherwise damaged during storage or packaging. By adding nitrate or chloride salts of strontium (red), barium (green) and copper (blue), colors are produced with the spark. Additionally, encapsulation of the spark induction material/contact alert material causes pressure and compression so that the spark is brighter and/or larger.

(24) The material may include flint-like material that emits sparks on contact with force, such as that exhibited via the golf club head. The flint-like material may be a mischmetal material or combinations thereof. Mischmetal, rare earth mischmetal or misch metal is an alloy of rare earth elements. Its most common use is in the ferrocerium flint ignition device of many lighters and torches, although an alloy of only rare-earth elements would be too soft to give good sparks. Preferably the subject coating is made up of a mischmetal composition including approximately 50% cerium and 25% lithium and small amounts of neodymium and praseodymium blended with iron oxide and magnesium oxide to form a harder material known as ferrocerium.

(25) Preferably, the alert material is non-flammable in nature to mitigate fire risks. In one embodiment, the golf tee is encapsulated with a thin portion of a mixture containing potassium chlorate, sulfur, glue and powdered glass (silica) to produce a spark when hit by a high silica-containing substance.

(26) The velocity of the golf club head and the substance with which the tee is encapsulated interacts to create a sparking effect at various club head speeds ranging from about 70 to 120 mph. Different substances can be used to create different spark colors, and the substance can be designed to work even when the grass within which the tee is inserted becomes damp or wet with dew. Upon contact with a golf club, the side walls bend to strike the contact alert material, or fracture or break and the golf club will strike the contact alert material causing a spark; a golfer witnessing the sparking action is thereby informed that the golf swing has been properly executed.

(27) The subject spark inducing golf tee, and method of use thereof, provides a novel training aid that is economical, compact, and encourages proper golfing form.

(28) FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee, shown generally at 1000. The subject golf tee has a spark generating material encapsulated therein, which sparks upon impact of a golf swing so that the golfer immediately realizes when a proper golf swing has been executed. Golf tee 1010 includes a top portion 1011 with a bottom wall 1011c, top wall 1011a and side walls 1011b. Top portion 1011 is fixedly attached to a shaft 1012 which terminates into a point 1013. Top portion 1011 may have many different shape configurations but generally includes a curved or concave surface appointed to receive a golf ball prior to a golfer teeing off. Point 1013 and a substantial portion of shaft 1012 are adapted to be inserted into the ground when the golfer is getting ready to tee off. A golf ball is adapted to be placed on the top wall 1011a within the concavity of top portion 1011.

(29) An enclosed cavity 1019 is located within top portion 1011 located centrally within the golf tee and enclosed within side walls 1011c, top wall 1011a and bottom wall 1011b. A contact alert material 1020 is located within cavity 1019 so that the material 1020 is encapsulated therein. Preferably the contact alert material 1020 extends downward from the top wall 1011a of the tee at IV to a depth II on a vertical plan xi-xi. Preferably, as shown, the contact alert material 1020 and visa vie cavity 1019 extends from the top wall 1011a to the bottom wall 1011b and may even extend into at least a portion of shaft 1012. The cavity 1019 entirely encapsulates contact alert material 1020 so that contact alert material 1020 is pressurized within the cavity to produce a greater spark upon the golf club strike.

(30) When the side walls 1011b are struck by a golf club, the side walls forcibly impact the contact alert material 1020 and the contact alert material 1020 explodes, fracturing the side walls and releasing a spark. Alternatively, when the side walls 1011b are struck by a golf club, the side walls fracture or break and the club simultaneously strikes the contact alert material 1020 so that the contact alert material 1020 explodes. The spark strength provides immediate indication to the golfer as to the quality of the golf swing. If the golf tee and ball are hit with perfect form and swing force or velocity, the spark will be bright and large; if the golf swing is mediocre there may be a slight spark. However, if the golf swing is poor, no spark or a minimum small spark will be generated. Preferably, the alert is a spark that is generated upon forceful contact of the golf club head striking the ball and contacts golf tee 1010 at the material/golf tee interface.

(31) The golf club head and/or ball is unadulterated or un-manipulated so that it follows USGA rules and regulations. Contact alert material 1020 may optionally further include a snap sound generation upon the golf tee being struck by the unadulterated golf club head.

(32) Side walls 1011b are constructed having a shallow dept MM so that the side walls 1011b fracture, crack or break upon impact and fall away so that the golf club head swing carries through to make contact with or strike the alert material located in cavity 1019 causing impact and, consequently, the alerting spark and/or audible sound. Preferably, side walls 1011b have a depth MM ranging from about 0.001-3.0 mm and are composed of wood or a polymeric material. Alternatively, the side walls 1011b are composed of a thin flexible polymeric material (ranging from about 0.001-3.0 mm) that compress inward striking the alert material in cavity 1019 causing pressurization of the cavity 1019 and instantly causing the contact alert material 1020 to explode or spontaneously combust and forcibly break through the side walls 1011b and yield a visible spark visible to the golfer and surrounding bystanders.

(33) FIG. 2a illustrates a side plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee with a golf ball mounted thereon, shown generally at 100. FIG. 2b illustrates a top plan view of FIG. 2a. FIG. 2c illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along A-A of the golf tee of FIG. 2a. FIG. 2d illustrates molding of the golf tee of FIG. 2a. The subject golf tee has a spark generating material is encapsulated therein that sparks only, or in an alternative embodiment sparks and makes an audible sound upon being struck by a golf club. Golf tee 110 includes a top portion 111 with a bottom wall 111c, top wall 111a and side walls 111b. Top portion 111 is fixedly attached to a shaft 112 which terminates into a point 113. Top portion 111 may have many different shape configurations but generally includes a curved or concave surface appointed to receive a golf ball prior to a golfer teeing off. Point 113 and a substantial portion of shaft 112 are adapted to be inserted into the ground when the golfer is getting ready to tee off. A golf ball, as shown at 130, is adapted to be placed on the top wall 111a within the concavity of top portion 111.

(34) Top portion 111 includes an enclosed cavity 119 located within side walls 111b, top wall 111a and bottom wall 111c. A contact alert material 120 is located within cavity 119 so that the material 120 is encapsulated within cavity 119. Preferably the contact alert material 120 extends downward from the top of the tee at a depth V from top wall 111a to depth I on the vertical plan x-x. Preferably, as shown, the contact alert material 120 and vis-a-vis cavity 119 extends from the top wall 111a to the bottom wall 111b. The cavity 119 entirely encapsulates contact alert material 120 so that contact alert material 120 is not exposed to the environment until or unless the tee is struck with a force y causing side walls 111b to fracture or break and the contact alert material 120 then being contacted by or struck by the golf club, thereby generating an alert that the tee has been hit with the proper force or velocity and proper swing trajectory. Preferably, the alert is a spark that is generated upon forceful contact of the golf club head striking the ball 130 and contacts golf tee 110 at the material/golf tee interface. Alternatively, the alert includes sparks and makes an audible sound upon being struck by the golf club.

(35) The golf club head is unadulterated or un-manipulated so that it follows USGA rules and regulations. Contact alert material 120 may optionally further include a snap sound generation upon the golf tee being struck by the unadulterated golf club head.

(36) Side walls 111b are constructed having a shallow dept M so that the side walls 111b fracture, crack or break upon impact and fall away so that the golf club head swing carries through to make contact with or strike the alert material located in cavity 119 causing impact and visa vie the alerting spark and/or auditory. Preferably, side walls 111b have a depth M ranging from about 0.001-3.0 mm and are composed of wood or a polymeric material.

(37) As best viewed in FIG. 2d, in a preferred method of manufacturing the golf tee mating first half 131 and second half 131 are attached or mated forming the golf tee. The two halves are formed with an insert or groove or cavity and the contact alert coating placed therein. Preferably, the first half 131 includes appendages 132 that are received within aligned mating apertures of second half 131 so that the two halves 131, 131 are snapped together to form the golf tee.

(38) It is noted that the side walls may be constructed of the same material as the rest of the body of the golf tee or may be composed of a different material than the rest of the body of the golf tee. Preferably, the side walls have a shallow depth/thickness ranging from about 0.001-3.0 mm keeping the golf tee compact, but also providing for easy breakage and penetration of the encapsulated contact alert material. In one embodiment, the side walls are composed of a material that breaks or shatters upon impact by the head of the golf club. The material may be made up of a cellulose material, such as a papier-mch or a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste, or a wood or veneer material. Alternatively, the side walls may be composed of a polymeric material. In yet another embodiment, the side walls are composed of a thin film layer of a wax, paraffin or polymeric material that is adapted to immediately rupture to provide contact to the contact alert material upon impact with the golf club head. Preferably, the side walls are composed of nitrocellulose, potassium nitrate and/or priming powder.

(39) The contact alert material may also generates a sound upon impact along with the spark. The contact alert material is preferably entirely encapsulated within the cavity so that no part of the contact alert material is exposed to or visible from the exterior of the golf tee unless or until the side walls or top wall or bottom wall of the golf tee is broken or fractured.

(40) Typically, the contact alert material has a thickness ranging from about 0.003 inches to 1.5 inches. Preferably, the contact alert material has a thickness ranging from about 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches. The contact alert material may further include a coloring to generate different color sparks and/or the material may include ground-up asphalt and/or small metallic pieces. In one embodiment, the contact alert material is adapted to generate a spark when contacted by the head of the golf club swung at speeds ranging from about 70 to 120 mph. The golf tee may be part of a golf training system including a golf ball, a golf club and the golf tee, or may be a stand-alone golf tee capable of being utilized with virtually any golf ball and/or golf club.

(41) FIGS. 3-6 illustrate views of an embodiment of the subject golf tee which may be configured alone or in addition to the encapsulated embodiment discussed hereinabove. FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the golf tee; FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line x-x in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee in use with a golfer getting ready to tee off with proper form; and FIG. 6 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee in use with impact of a golf club and spark generation therefrom.

(42) In referring to FIGS. 3-6, generally, the golf tee 10 has a size and shape of a typical golf tee. Golf tee 10 includes a top plate 11 with a top wall 11a and side walls 11b. Top plate 11 is fixedly attached to a shaft 12 which terminates into a point 13. Top plate 11 may have many different shape configurations. Point 13 and a substantial portion of shaft 12 are inserted into the ground when a golfer is getting ready to tee off. A golf ball, as shown at 30 in FIGS. 4 and 5, is adapted to be placed on top of top plate 11. A contact alert coating 20 is applied to at least an upper portion of the golf tee 10. Preferably the contact alert coating 20 extends downward from the top of the tee to line I; alternatively, contact alert coating 20 extends downward to line V; in another embodiment, the contact alert coating 20 extends substantially down on the golf tee body to line X. When the powder/contact alert coating 20 extends further down the tee shaft (as to line V and/or X), it increases the chances for contact and spark ignition. Contact alert coating 20 is preferably a coating that generates a spark upon forceful contact of a golf club head 51 on the golf tee when a golf club 50 is swung so that head 51 strikes ball 30 and contacts golf tee 10 at the coating/golf tee interface. The golf club head 51 is unadulterated or un-manipulated so that it complies with USGA rules and regulations. Contact alert coating 20 may optionally further include a snap sound generation upon the golf tee being struck by the unadulterated golf club head 51.

(43) Contact alert coating 20 is preferably a non-flammable substance so that it does not pose a fire hazard. Further, the non-flammable coating 20 will not be subject to flammability when stored in the trunk of a vehicle and will not inadvertently be ignited. In one embodiment, the golf tee is coated with a thin layer of a mixture containing potassium chlorate, sulfur, glue and powdered glass (silica) to produce a spark when hit by a high silica-containing substance; this surface may be sprayed on the golf tee via aerosol. In another embodiment, the contact alert coating 20 is a substance such as ground-up asphalt, small metallic pieces (for example magnesium) or other substance that is prone to sparking when the coating of the golf tee is contacted by the head of a golf club swung at approximately 100 mph. The velocity of the golf club head and the substance with which the tee is coated interacts to create a sparking effect at various club head speeds ranging from about 70 to 120 mph. Different substances can be used to create different spark colors, and the substance can be designed to work even when the grass within which the tee is inserted becomes damp or wet with dew. Upon contact with a golf club, the tee will spark; a golfer witnessing the sparking action is thereby informed that the golf swing has been properly executed. In an alternative embodiment, a firecracker like coating may be applied in conjunction with or just under the spark coating layer so that if a fast speed (100 mph) is used, there will also be a firecracker type sound effect, which signifies a very fast swing speed.

(44) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, coating 20 may be located on at least a portion of the top wall surface 11a of top plate 11. Alternatively, coating 20 may be located on at least a portion of side walls 11b of top plate 11. Optionally, coating 20 may be located on both the side walls 11b and top wall 11a of the top plate 11. What is more, coating 20 may extend down a portion of shaft 12. The coating 20 preferably has a thickness of 0.001 to 1 inch. Preferably contact alert coating 20 extends downward from the top of the tee to line I; alternatively, contact alert coating 20 extends downward to line V; in another embodiment, the contact alert coating 20 extends substantially down on the golf tee body to line X. When the powder/contact alert coating 20 is further down the tee shaft (as to line V and/or X), it increases the chances for contact and spark ignition.

(45) The subject golf tee 10 provides a training aid that is fun to use and entertaining, as well. Proper golfing form is promoted by encouraging the golfer to keep his head 40 looking in the downward facing position, as indicated in FIG. 5. The golfer 40 tees-up the ball in the usual way. As the golf club is swung at approximately about 70 to 120 mph and makes contact with the golf tee 10, the velocity of the golf club head and the coating interacts to create a sparking effect at various club head speeds. Upon contact with a golf club, the tee will spark; a golfer witnessing the sparking action is thereby informed that the golf swing has been properly executed.

(46) FIG. 7 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the golf tee wherein the golf tee has a spiral-shaped body, shown generally at 500. In this embodiment the body of the tee is spiraled to assist in holding the tee in place and stabilizing the tee to ensure optimum contact force. Golf tee 510 includes a top plate 511 with a top wall 511a and side walls 511b. Top plate 511 is fixedly attached to a shaft 512 terminating at a spiral section 530, which in turn terminates into a point 513. Point 513 and a substantial portion of spiral section 530 and a portion of shaft 512 are inserted into the ground when a golfer is getting ready to tee off. A contact alert coating 520 is applied to at least an upper portion of the golf tee 510. Contact alert coating 520 is preferably a coating that generates a spark upon forceful contact of a golf club when it strikes the ball and contacts golf tee 510 at the coating/golf tee interface. Spiral section 530 has at least one spiral which acts to stabilize the tee in the ground for added contact force between the golf club and tee.

(47) FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate another embodiment of the golf tee. FIG. 8a illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the subject golf tee wherein the golf tee comprises divots containing a higher concentration of spark inducing substance, shown generally at 610. FIG. 8b illustrates a top view of the tee of FIG. 8a. FIG. 8c illustrates a sectional view of FIG. 8a taken along XX. Referring to FIGS. 8a-8c, golf tee 610 includes a top plate 611 with a top wall 611a and side walls 611b. Top plate 611 is fixedly attached to a shaft 612 terminating at a point 613. A contact alert coating 620 is applied to at least an upper portion of the golf tee 610. Contact alert coating 620 is preferably a coating that generates a spark upon forceful contact of a golf club when it strikes the ball and contacts golf tee 610 at the coating/golf tee interface. A divot 650 holding more powder for enhancing the spark or contact alert is provided (see cross-section XX (see FIG. 8c)). The divot 650 may further project slightly from the tee body as a dart to stabilize the tee in the ground, while increasing chances for spark ignition.

(48) Advantages are realized through manufacture of the spark inducing golf tee and method of using same to promote proper golfing form. These and other advantages include, for example: 1) empowers golfers to improve his/her golf swing in a very inexpensive manner; 2) provides entertainment and added excitement on the golf course; 3) conveys immediate feedback to a golfer which provides confirmation that a proper swing hit has taken place; 4) provides a low cost, reliable and effective means for improving golf posture and swing carry through; 5) improves confidence of the golfer during a golf round; and 6) provides a minimally invasive, readily discernible, quick method of improving golf swing.

(49) Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.