Meet the Golfer Behind VikTee
There is a certain kind of business owner who does not set out to build a brand. He sets out to fix one annoying problem, and the brand happens along the way. That is Pete Garcia's story with VikTee. He and his wife live in Seal Beach, which serves as the US operational base for the business. Pete plays golf regularly along the local coast, and the idea for VikTee came from something every golfer experiences: that sinking moment when a driver, the most expensive club in the bag, takes damage from a basic plastic or wooden tee. Instead of accepting that risk, Pete collaborated with his partners to design a rubber-tipped tee that absorbs impact rather than transferring force directly into the club head.
The name itself comes straight from that mindset. Say Viktee like Viking, not like the name Vic. The logo makes the connection obvious when you see the horned Viking helmet that is part of the brand. Pete built VikTee to be strong and tough, like the Viking warriors the name borrows from, and that idea shows up in every tee that comes off the line.
A Seal Beach Local Through and Through
Pete and his wife moved to Seal Beach during the early days of the COVID pandemic, seeking a lifestyle right next to the water. His wife resisted the move at first, but that changed quickly, and now she refuses to leave. Pete is also a regular presence at St. Anne's Church in Seal Beach, and he's fully integrated into the daily rhythm of the neighborhood. Catch him on Main Street grabbing coffee or stopping into local shops, and he likely has a tee or two in his pocket. He speaks with the locals about his genuine enthusiasm about his VikTee and how it has improved his own game. That passion reflects a product designed by an active golfer rather than a company following a trend.
What Makes a VikTee Different
When you take a close look at a Viktee tee, the vibrant colors stand out immediately. These are not flimsy wooden tees bought in bulk at a pro shop that snap after a few holes. VikTee features a patented anti-shock rubber system, utilizing a flexible ring near the top that absorbs impact so the tee bounces instead of breaking. That same rubber ring serves as an adjustable height guide, allowing players to set their preferred tee height once and repeat it on every tee box. For any golfer, that level of setup consistency directly impacts performance. A proper driver swing relies on a repeatable setup, which gets disrupted when traditional tees shift height or splinter mid-round.
Built to Actually Last
The durability claims are grounded in practical testing. VikTee has been tested across various skill levels, including high-velocity drives exceeding 130 miles per hour, with tees rated to withstand hundreds of shots before wearing out. Compare that performance to standard plastic tees that easily bend or get lost, or wood tees that shatter in a single afternoon. One golfer with seven years of playing experience noted these are the only tees that handle his 280-plus yard drives, adding that the rubber impact piece makes a distinct difference compared to conventional options. Another player completed 36 holes in a single day using just one tee, highlighting both its durability and how easy it was to spot in the grass after every shot.
Eco Friendly Without the Compromise
VikTee is manufactured using a biodegradable additive developed alongside an environmental materials partner. This allows the tees to break down over months rather than sitting in landfills for centuries like traditional plastic tees. Each set comes packaged in a reusable zip-pouch rather than single-use plastic bags, reflecting a conscious design approach across the entire product. The tees even feature a distinct fragrance inspired by cologne instead of a standard synthetic rubber odor, offering a subtle detail when pulling a fresh tee on the first hole.
A Coastal Idea, A Global Build
While VikTee's USA base is in Southern California's coast, bringing the design to production required an international partnership. The patent is registered in Mexico, with manufacturing based in the skilled leather-crafting region of León, Guanajuato. This combination unites local testing and design in Seal Beach with established industrial craftsmanship. Distribution through Amazon and Shopify allows this local innovation to reach golfers globally while maintaining its roots in a golfer solving a common problem on his home course.
