Performance+Durability TPU Golf Tee Collection

Hello golfers!

Since 3D printing can achieve details that are usually difficult with traditional manufacturing, I wanted to use that advantage to improve the form of standard rubber golf tees and make them perform better.

Here is my offering:

A full collection of TPU printed golf tees for driving range / practice mat use, with an optimized tee tip designed to feel closer to a standard golf tee used during a round.

The Profiles:

Tee Height Choices: 22/25/35/45/55/60/65/70/75/80mm

(The 22mm length is designed for a standard tee insert use, for those who prefer practicing with regular golf tees)
 

Most rubber tees installed under a mat is quite thick, partially due to manufacturing restrictions. This often makes the ball sit too deep in the cup than desired. to solve this common inconvenience, I tried to improve the hitting feel with a tee design that funnels toward the tip, making the tee cup size closer to a standard golf tee. This helps reduce contact area, reduce friction, and enhance feel. The tee cup also build with a 4-post structure to further reduce friction when you flush your driver.

For durability, I designed a net-pattern exterior wall to create a mechanically reinforced structure that can better withstand repeated golf club impact. Rounded geometry is also applied around the base of the tee to help reduce stress concentration and improve impact resistance. I actually tested at the driving range through a good number of shots, including full-power driver, FW/Hybrid, and intentionally chunking long irons directly into the tee, and they survived almost intact.

For golfers who like to hit off a standard golf tee, I also designed a 22 mm version specifically for tee insert use.

Design features:

• Funnel-shaped tip to reduce contact area and prevent the golf ball from sitting too deep in the cup
• 4-post tee cup design to further reduce friction at impact
• Net-pattern wall creating mechanically reinforced structure that better withstand impact.
• Rounded transition around the base of the tee to help reduce stress concentration.
• passed durability testing at driving range with driver (~110mph swing speed) and FW/long-iron sessions without damage or deformations
• a keyhole slot for hanging on the golf bag (not sure if this will really be used, see it as a plus function :p)

Print note:

1. For the filament, TPU85A is recommended. TPU80A should work great, but it's normally not as easy to print under normal settings. TPU90A should work but a little more prone to breaking.  TPU95A is not highly recommended (a bit too stiff/brittle).
2. Dry your filament! This is essential to TPU printing, especially if the part is meant to be functional and withstand physical impact.
3. I strongly suggest using a 0.6mm nozzle, since it helps improve layer bonding and overall strength.
4. If you are printing with a 0.4 nozzle, consider increasing the print temperature by 5-10C to encourage better layer bonding. The surface might not look as clean, but the part should be stronger.

5. If your printing environment is not too humid, such as an indoor room with the windows closed, I recommend pulling the needed filament out from the spool holder before printing. This gives the filament an absolutely smooth feed path into the extruder. 

   (For reference, 10 grams of printed TPU85A is roughly equal to 3.5 meters of filament. So if your print weight is calculated at 30 g, pull out around 12 meters of filament and make sure it is not blocked, hooked, or tangled along the way. TPU is usually quite anti-tangle as long as you lay it down loosely and neatly.)

Ok, makers, I will leave it to you.

Happy printing. And happy grinding!