The Evolution of the Tee Peg

The Evolution of the Tee Peg is a short golf blog post that looks at the history of this small golf accessory.

Every golfer has some in their bag. Most golfers have their favourite type of tee and will not change for anything else because the game is so psychological.

But have you ever stopped to think how these small, helpful devices have evolved over the years?

Let me start by looking at why we call a tee a tee.

I believe it has evolved from the Dutch word ‘tuitje,’ pronounced ‘tytee,’ meaning a small, conical shape.
As golfers in the past used piles of sand or snow to tee up their ball, this seems very fitting.

The Evolution of the Tee Peg

The first portable golf tee was invented by a couple of members from Tantallon Golf Club, North Berwick.
It was William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas in 1889 who came up with the idea.
It was a small rubber slab that had several vertical rubber tubes, and it was patented in 1890.

Soon after, in 1892, the first tee to penetrate the ground was invented by Percy Ellis.
It was called the ‘Perfectum’. It had a rubber circle connected to a metal spike that was pushed into the ground.

Then, in 1897, in Scotland, the ‘Victor’ tee with a cup-shaped rubber top was invented by PM Matthews because this held the ball more easily.

In 1921, an American Dentist came up with the first commercial golf tee, which he called the ‘Reddy Tee’
‘The Reddy Tee’ was eventually patented in 1924 and is pretty much what we still use today.

What can we use?

Officially, the rules state…

Tees (Rule 6.2)

A tee is a device designed to raise the ball off the ground.  A tee must not:

• be longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm);
• be designed or manufactured in such a way that it could indicate the line of play;
• unduly influence the movement of the ball; or
• Otherwise, assist the player in making a stroke or in his play.

Note:  As an exception for difficult turf conditions, tees tethered together or to an anchor may be used during the round. Provided that the player does not align the tees or tether in such a way that could indicate the line of play.
Or otherwise assist the player in making a stroke.

Golfers, in the past, have used lots of different materials such as snow, sand, cork, wood, plastic Bottle caps and even tin cans.
The latter is being used regularly by John Daly.

I prefer to use wooden tees. Any colour will do unless I am in a tournament, then they must be white!

What are your thoughts on The Evolution of the Tee Peg?

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