The Origins: Sand and Hands (1800s)

In golf’s early days, players didn’t use tees as we know them today. Instead, they scooped up a little mound of sand to prop their ball up before each drive. This method was messy, inconsistent, and certainly not the most convenient—especially on a windy day. But it was the standard until the turn of the 20th century.

The First Breakthrough: The Wooden Peg (1899)

While early golfers relied on sand mounds, the real spark of innovation came from an unlikely source—Dr. George F. Grant, a Boston-area dentist and one of the first Black graduates of Harvard Dental School. In 1899, Grant patented what is now recognized as the first American wooden golf tee.

His design was ahead of its time: a wooden peg with a flexible rubber tube and a cupped top to gently cradle the ball. The structure was clever—rigid and stable at the base, but with a softer, more forgiving top to reduce interference with the club on impact.

Yet despite his brilliance, Dr. Grant never promoted, sold, or even widely shared his invention. For decades, his contribution was lost to history. It wasn’t until 1991 that the USGA officially credited him as the original inventor of the wooden tee—finally giving him the recognition he deserved.

Though his tee wasn’t the first in the world, it was the first patented and manufactured design in the U.S., setting the stage for all future innovation in tee technology.

For decades, the wooden tee remained the norm. Simple, functional, and disposable—but not without flaws. Tees broke easily, splintered, and offered little consistency in ball height.

Plastic and Performance (1960s–1990s)

The next wave of innovation brought plastic tees to the forefront. They were more durable and weather-resistant, reducing the need to carry a pocketful of spares. Manufacturers also began experimenting with shaped tops, anti-friction coatings, and height guides to improve launch consistency.

By the ’90s, golf tee design was becoming a science. The focus had shifted from basic function to performance optimization—minimizing resistance, maximizing distance, and even tailoring tees to specific club types.

The Age of Innovation: 2000s–Today

Over the last two decades, golf tees have become precision-engineered tools. Innovative materials like biodegradable composites, recycled plastics, and flexible polymers have emerged—not only improving durability and performance but also reducing environmental impact.

Designers began incorporating low-friction prongs, height-control markers, and shock-absorbing stems. Some tees even promise better ball spin rates or promote straighter drives. There are now tees tailored for driver swings, irons, and hybrids—each promising marginal gains that can mean the difference between a birdie and a bogey.

And now, with the rise of smart technology, we’re seeing tees with embedded sensors that can track swing speed and impact force—bringing data analytics right to the tee box.