Performance Golf Tees Review

Performance Golf Tees

Performance golf tees are a new equipment category that has emerged within the industry the past few years. We have played the leading products in this category over the past year and provide some comments below on each of these and how they compare to traditional wooden golf tees. The bottom line is that we feel that they all have advantages over the traditional wooden golf tee and golfers of all abilities need to give them a try.


Brush-T
Web: www.brush-t.com Price: $7.95 for 2-pack Manufacturer’s Description: The Brush-T “brush tee” series was developed by South African Design Engineer and golfer, Jason Crouse. His concept was to replicate the feel of grass and reduce the interference associated with hitting off a wooden or plastic tee. The Brush-T exceeded Crouse’s expectations. The synthetic bristles do provide a natural strike, but more importantly reduced resistance to improve distance and reduced sidespin to increase accuracy. The Brush-T was thoroughly tested at an independent testing facility in southern California and the findings showed that the tee consistently outperformed wooden tees for greater distance and reduced spin.The Brush-T was found to impart 2% less deviation on the ball which leads to straighter, more accurate drives. In addition, it showed less resistance at impact and therefore added between 3.2 and 7 yards to driving distance. These tests were carried out using the Iron Byron swing tester to help ensure greater consistency. The Brush-T is available in 4 different models to accommodate clubs from fairway woods to oversize drivers. Review: We found the Brush-T outperformed the traditional wooden tee by tighter shot dispersion and increased distance. Of the three tees reviewed, the Brush-T is the least traditional in appearance. As such, it takes some time to get accustomed to the look. Taking them in and out of the container they come in can become bothersome. Also, a player must carry several different versions in his pocket to accommodate the driver, fairway wood and iron tee shot. In firm conditions they can be difficult to insert in the ground. The Brush-T was found to increase performance and was very durable. It is the most expensive (per tee) of the three golf tees that we reviewed.

epoch-3
Web: www.evolvegolf.com Price: $4.99 for 15-pack Manufacturer’s Description: Evolve Golf spent two years of research and development, utilizing the latest advances in biotechnology material science and aerodynamic surface geometry, to produce a the epoch-3 golf tee that reduces backspin and sidespin deflection while adhering to the traditional form factor of the golf tee. The epoch’s convex radius posts, which are wider than any golf ball dimple, allow the tee to only interact with the exoskeleton of the golf ball. This reduces surface contact by 93 %, compared to wood tees, allowing Tour pros to achieve distance and accuracy lost due to the wood tee’s inferior design. The biocomposite material is 100% biodegradable. The fact that the epoch golf tee combines superior performance with a renewable energy source derived from plants; and reduces maintenance costs for golf facilities, represents significant steps forward on several fronts. The epoch tee is available in two sizes to accommodate a variety of clubs. Review: We found that the Epoch tee outperformed the traditional wooden tee by tighter shot dispersion and increased carry. We also found that using the Epoch tee produced a different and higher pitched sound at impact than the traditional wooden tee We typically would break one of these tees per round of golf in one of two ways. Either one of the 4 prongs would clip off or the actual tee would break. At $4.99 for a 15 pack, we found them to be expensive given their durability issues. Like the Brush-T, the Epoch tee was at times difficult to insert into the ground when the conditions are firm. This was partly due to the wider tip and how the tee would bend when being inserted into the firm ground. The Epoch tee was found to increase performance and was the least durable of the three tees that we reviewed.

Zero-Friction
Web: www.zerofrictiontees.com Price: $4.99 for 50-pack Manufacturer’s Description: The Zero Friction Golf Tee is a new golf tee designed to reduce friction between the golf ball and the golf tee. This design produces laser like accuracy and massive distance gains. In the company’s independent product testing at the leading golf laboratory in the world, they found that the tee was on average, almost 5 yards longer and almost 7 yards more accurate than the other industry leading "alternative" golf tees. The tee made has less contact area between the golf ball and the golf tee. This provides optimum golf ball spin rates, meaning more of a knuckle ball type action coming off the tee. Less spin not only means front or back spin, but side to side spin thus reducing a hook or slice. The back of the Zero Friction package provides a diagram explaining how to set up the tee for optimum performance. The company notes that they found slight performance gains if one of the top prongs is aligned at the target. This means the driver comes in contact with 2 of the prongs, leaving the ball to only be effected by the 1 remaining prong. Available in two sizes (2 ¾ and 3 ¼). Review: We found that the Zero Friction tees outperformed the traditional wooden tee by tighter dispersion and increased distance. There are several advantages to this tee. The alignment system mentioned above is one. Their durability is fantastic. One reviewer has played the Zero Friction tees for two months now and has yet to clip one of the prongs or break a tee. You can easily insert these in the ground on firm or soft conditions altering tee height based on the shot that needs to be played. At $4.99 for a 50 pack of 2 ¾ inches or for 35 of the 3 ¼ inches they are very reasonably priced. We found the Zero Friction tee to be as close to a wooden tee in terms of look and feel but with much improved performance and durability.

	Additional information on our review methods can be found here.