# Flat Golf Tees

I custom-designed and 3D-printed 110 flat golf tees for a friend. Cheaper than buying ones? No. Does it matter? Also no.

![A 3D printer printing blue flat golf tees](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/printing.jpg)

> Hi Max.
> Can you make me some Flat Tees with your 3D printer?

**August 30, 2025**.
That's when I got this text from my friend's dad.

## Context

Okay, that message might not give you much information.

Earlier, he showed me the [Flat-Tee](https://flat-tee.com/), a *"Flat Out Better Tee."*
It's usually used on driving range mats, where traditional tees won't work.

To be honest, maybe he should have just bought the original Flat-Tees instead of my custom-made version.

*To set the record straight, I did **not** make any money on this design and only used them for my own personal use.*
***Please don't sue me!***

Back to the story—I started my first revision.

## Revision 1

I opened the software I use for 3D design is [Autodesk Fusion 360](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview), and created a new file: `flat-tees.f3d`.
With one of the original Flat-Tees for reference, I meticulously measured each and every dimension.

![A sphere cut out of a 3D model](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/rev1-rough.jpg)

I first extruded a circle as the base with a shape that looked like a mix between a star and the center-of-mass symbol.
Then I sketched a sphere the size of a golf ball and revolved it to cut out a space where the ball would sit.

That was basically it—I rounded edges and added text on the bottom—and I was finished!

After only a half-hour of printing, my model turned from an image on a screen to an object in my hands.
I grabbed a random golf ball from the garage and put it on the tee.

![Two golf balls on flat golf tees](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/v1.jpg)

I texted my friend's dad a picture of my creation:

*"Amazing! Can you make the part that sticks up a little angled so it will break less?*
*You want to pegs to slant from the bottom into the center like a pyramid—you want that impact of the club to be reduced by the slant.*
*Also the center can be lower and the pegs can be a little closer together so the ball is resting on the pegs."*

I agreed—this was called "Revison 1" for a reason.
It was time to try again.

## Revision 2

Instead of using the same model for my changes, I decided to start from scratch.

I created a cross-section sketch, with the circular disc, slanted pegs, and cut-out for the ball.

![A side-view of Revision 2](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/rev2-side.jpg)

There wasn't much else to it—I added a shallow chamfer to the edge of the edge, added the same text, and rounded edges.

![The final golf tees being printed](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/timelapse.jpg)

The Flat Golf Tees were finished!
I printed as many as would fit on my build plate, of course taking a timelapse, and waited until the next morning to see them in all their glory.

My friend's dad asked for **110 golf tees total** for a competition at a local golf course—55 for *Team USA* and 55 for *Team Europe*.

![110 flat golf tees laid out on a table](https://maxparisi.me/assets/projects/golf-tees/all.jpg)

## Reflection

This project taught me a lot—from how to design and manufacture custom parts for a "client," how to iterate through multiple prototypes, and how to (legally) infringe on a inventor's product.