Golf / Accessibility - Golf Driver Tee - Driver Buddy

"Driver Buddy" tees come in four sizes (1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 inches) providing consistency of tee off height to meet varying needs while being hard to lose and break yet easy to retrieve.

The 4 model versions

• Stinger - 1 inch - Low, piercing, wind‑beating tee height good for driver or woods

• Precision - 1.25 inch - The fairway‑finder height with less chance of going wayward

• Classic - 1.5 inch - The standard, everyday tee height  that is the average for tour players

• High - 1.75 inch - Maximum height for high‑launch, low‑spin bombs

Usage

The "Driver Buddy" consists of a tee head that easily snaps into an anchor with 21lb fishing line connecting the anchor through the tee head to a handle (on the other end of the line). 

1. To use your Driver Buddy tee, start by placing the anchor into the ground.

2. Set the retrieval handle off to the side so it’s easy to reach after your shot.

3. Place your golf ball on top of the tee head. The soft, flexible crown guides the ball into position and helps protect your club face from damage during impact.

4. After your drive, simply grab the retrieval handle and pull upward. The anchor lifts cleanly out of the turf, bringing the tee with it.

5. If the tee head separated on impact, just snap it back onto the anchor.  Your Driver Buddy is now reset and ready to go.

Features

• Easy to Place with large easy to grip  flexible Tee head 

• Easy to Retrieve using flexible handle

• Hard to lose with Tee only able to travel a few inches away from anchor and  high visibility colors

• Hard to break with high flexibility Tee Head and high impact resistant anchor connected with a highly durable line.

• Soft Tee Head does not result in any damage to club face on impact

Golf Tee Compliance

This tee complies with the wording of the rules of golf (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 
  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 line of play or otherwise assist the player in making a stroke

Printer Requirements

• FDM Printer - used for Tee Head and Retrieval Handle - PRUSA XL Printer is what I use

• SLA Printer - used for Anchor - If you are interested in the Anycubic Photon M5s Pro SLA printer (I use this one) or other Anycubic printers and want to learn more please go to Anycubic Store.   For $20 off use this CPMTPFIZJP coupon code at the Anycubic Store.

Materials Required

• TPU filament (single or multiple colors)- for Tee Head and Handle

• High Impact Resistant Resin (any color) - for Anchor

• 21lb/9.1kg co-poly fishing line

• Super Glue (used in securing fishing line)

Printing Recommendations

• Tee Head and Handle (FDM printer)

  • Orient tee head upside down on build plate with supports on build plate only

  • Print with 4 perimeters and at 0.2mm layer height up within 4mm of end then switch to 0.125mm layer height for last 4mm of snap on area.

  • Print tee and handle models on FDM printer using TPU (very flexible) 

  • Print different Tee heights in a different color to easily differentiate sizes or using paint feature

• Anchor (SLA Printer)

  • On build plate orient at 55 degrees with tip of anchor facing build plate and embossed text facing away from build plate.

  • Add lots of supports along length of anchor 

Assembly

Section 1 — Connecting the Anchor, Tee & Handle Using Fishing Line

1. Cut and Prepare the Fishing Line - You’ll create a tether that limits how far the parts can travel from each other.

   • Cut 12–16 inches of strong monofilament fishing line.

   • Tie a thick stopper knot at one end (double or triple overhand knot).

   • Ensure the knot is large enough to seat securely in the anchor groove.

2. Thread the Line Into the Anchor - The anchor is the starting point of the tether system.

   • Insert the non‑knotted end of the line through the bottom opening of the anchor.

   • Pull the line upward until the stopper knot reaches the anchor’s internal groove.

3. Secure the Knot in the Anchor

   • SLA Resin Anchor: Apply a small dab of super glue to the knot then pull the knot into the anchor groove and let glue set. Once the glue has set apply a drop of liquid resin to the knot area and UV‑cure it to lock it in place.

4. Route the Line Through the Tee Head - The line must pass cleanly through the tee’s internal channel.

   • Feed the line from the top of the anchor into the base of the tee.

   • Push it through the central vertical channel until it exits the top of the tee.

   • Leave at least 6 cm of excess line extending beyond the tee.

5. Create the Tee‑End Knot - This knot becomes the anchor point for attaching the handle.

   • Tie a simple overhand knot near the end of the line, leaving 6 cm of tail.

   • This knot will serve as the loop point for the handle connection.

6. Attach the Handle - The handle forms the retrieval point for the Driver Buddy.

   • Pass the 6 cm tail through one side of the handle and out the opposite side.

   • Tie the tail back to the simple knot you created.

   • Then tie the tail back onto itself to form a non‑sliding, fixed knot.

   • Add a dab of superglue to secure the final knot permanently.

7. Verify Tether Length and Movement - The parts should move freely but remain connected.

   • Ensure the anchor, tee, and handle can separate only within the 12–16 inch range.

   • Confirm knots are fully seated and secure.

   • Tug lightly on each component to verify the tether is locked in.

Section 2 — Coloring the Embossed Text on the Anchor Options

• Recommended Method: Paint‑Pen Fill

  • Use an oil‑based paint marker (Sharpie, Sakura, Molotow, etc.).

  • Choose a fine or extra‑fine tip for best control.

  • Wipe the anchor surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove oils.

  • Press the paint pen into the recessed lettering and let it flood the cavity.

  • After 10–20 seconds, lightly wipe the surface with a flat microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove excess paint while leaving the fill intact.

  • Allow to dry fully (usually 5–10 minutes).

  • Optional: Apply a clear matte coat for durability (especially for SLA resin anchors).

• Alternative: Acrylic Paint + Card / Sand Paper Scrape

  • Brush acrylic paint into the recessed text.

  • Use a plastic card edge (old gift card) to scrape excess off the surface.

  • Let dry and repeat if needed for opacity.

• For Transparent SLA Anchors

  • Use bright color paint pens that are consistent with Tee colors for maximum contrast yet consistency of look

  • Avoid alcohol‑based cleaners after painting — they can haze resin.

Testing

A few years of prototyping and testing with use in over 300 rounds (2023 thru to present 2026) that has resulted in the Driver Buddy becoming increasingly more reliable and tougher to a point where I am now confident of it being used by other players.

Change Log

• Original version released in November of 2022

• March 2024 -  enhanced tee, with a long and short anchor version and handle

• May 2025 - enhanced tee, anchor and handle.  Added text to anchor.  

• June 2026 - enhanced handle, tee and anchor for better fitment and printing