U.S. patent application number 11/678780 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for ball marker used to ascertain grain direction of a putting surface.
Invention is credited to Joseph P. Pekrol.
Application Number | 20080207356 11/678780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39716550 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080207356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pekrol; Joseph P. |
August 28, 2008 |
BALL MARKER USED TO ASCERTAIN GRAIN DIRECTION OF A PUTTING
SURFACE
Abstract
A golf ball marker and method of use on a putting surface to
ascertain a grain direction of the putting surface. The marker is a
compass configured and sized to be used as a ball marker. The
compass includes an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate
direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass
and may optionally also include an anchoring appendage underlying
the substrate.
Inventors: |
Pekrol; Joseph P.;
(Loudonville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS G. LAPOINTE;LAPOINTE LAW GROUP, PL
PO BOX 1294
TARPON SPRINGS
FL
34688-1294
US
|
Family ID: |
39716550 |
Appl. No.: |
11/678780 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/406 ;
473/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20130101;
A63B 2209/08 20130101; A63B 57/353 20151001; A63B 2220/16 20130101;
A63B 2071/0602 20130101; A63B 69/3676 20130101; A63B 2071/0694
20130101; A63B 57/207 20151001; A63B 2102/32 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/406 ;
473/409 |
International
Class: |
A63B 57/00 20060101
A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf ball marker for use on a putting surface to ascertain a
grain direction of the putting surface comprising: a compass
configured and sized to be used as a ball marker, said compass
including an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate direction
relative to compass north as indicated by said compass.
2. The golf ball marker according to claim 1, further comprising:
an appendage depending from said substrate wherein said appendage
is used to anchor the golf ball marker into the putting
surface.
3. A method for ascertaining a grain direction of a grass on a
putting surface comprising the steps of: pre-determining the
prevailing grain direction of putting surface grass for a golf
course to be played; when preparing for a putt on each putting
surface green of the golf course, using a golf ball marker
comprising a compass configured and sized to be used as said ball
marker, said compass including an underlying substrate and indicia
to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by
said compass, and ascertaining the direction of the grain
corresponding to the pre-determined grain direction previously
obtained; and accounting for the ascertained grain direction in the
eventual putt to be made.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the golf ball marker
further comprises: an appendage depending from said substrate
wherein said appendage is used to anchor the golf ball marker into
the putting surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a compass ball marker used to
ascertain a grain direction of a putting surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many golfers have difficulty reading the greens at a new
golf course, especially one where the golfer expects to play
regularly. The inventor herein found that when he was part of a
team with players who knew the greens, they would help him with
particular characteristics of the greens. In a format when it was
individual scores similar to stroke play at a Professional Golfers
Association (PGA) tournament, he could not ask for advice as per
the U.S. Golfers Association (USGA) rules. Due to prior information
from the club professional and experimentation on some of the
putting surfaces, it was determined the prevailing grain of the
grass leaned toward a specific direction, for example, westerly. It
was also apparent in the middle of the round of golf when there
were no reference points in sight, it was difficult to determine
what direction was westerly. It was clear to the inventor herein
that what was needed was a device, like a compass, to help him
ascertain the direction of the prevailing wind, which is the
direction that the grain of the putting grass leans.
[0003] An object therefore of the present invention was to develop
a convenient and compact compass device. However, a compass by
itself would require carrying an additional device. Golfers already
carry tees, ball markers, extra balls, a glove and sometimes a
towel. An object was to therefore find a device that incorporates a
compass into a device already used by the golfer when approaching a
putting surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Golfers all use a device as a ball marker so the ball may be
picked up, cleaned and replaced in the original spot marked by the
ball marker. Ball markers are small devices, such as a coin, or a
disc, or a disc with a depending appendage to anchor the marker to
the surface of the green. The present invention integrates or
incorporates a compass as an overlying component to a planar
substrate that can be used as a ball marker to form a compass ball
marker. This device should be made with a small elevation profile.
When a golfer places the marker down, he can get an immediate input
of the North direction and accordingly which direction is east,
west, south, southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, etc. Given
prior knowledge of the prevailing wind direction and therefore the
direction of putting green surface grass growth, the golfer can
then immediate ascertain the direction the grain of the grass is
leaning and account for this factor when determining proper aim and
impact force of the putt.
That is, at a glance by using the compass ball marker, the golfer
is able to adjust his aim taking into consideration the prevailing
grain of the grass knowing which direction was say westerly. The
inventor herein found immediate results when using this compass
ball marker, especially on the putts whereby using the grain of the
grass the ball would roll further in a certain direction because
the grass tended to lay flatter in that direction. Knowing that the
golfer is putting in the direction of the grain of the grass, he
would not have to hit the ball as hard as he would have if he did
not have this prior information. When putting against the grain of
the grass where the tips of the grass would affect the roll of the
ball impeding the distance the ball would travel, the golfer would
have to adjust the impact with slightly more force applied, that
is, knowing he is putting into the grain, hethen would putt the
ball harder than if he did not know the direction which the grass
was growing.
[0005] The compass ball marker helps the golfer become more
confident in reading the greens, enabling him to consistently
reduce scores by 2 to 3 strokes per game. For people with a higher
handicap that tend to 3 putt on a green, the stroke savings could
be more than 2 to 3 stokes per match.
[0006] For golfers who play for money in matches, the invention
will enhance their ability to win close matches.
[0007] Most golfers will look closely at the greens and fringe
grasses. They then try to determine how the grain will affect the
roll of the ball. Good golfers through experience and talent
usually rely on close observation of the grain of the grass. Some
golfers rely on watching how the away player's ball moves when it
is on the green. Using the ball marker with compass can quickly
give them a bench mark to start from when armed with the knowledge
of direction of grass growth.
[0008] The invention is a ball marker with a compass as its face.
It would also be constructed with a magnified lens for golfers with
a slight visual handicap. Some people with a visual handicap can't
see the grain so the compass with magnifying means would be an
asset.
[0009] By knowing the direction of the grain on the putting surface
using the prevailing grain direction from a Club Professional, this
information can be used to help determine the break of the putt and
the speed by utilizing the ball marker with an integral compass.
Down grain, into the grain or cross grain all helps to determine
the break and speed of the green. For example, on the Gulf Coast of
Florida, the grain in the Bermuda grass tends to grow westerly
almost everywhere on the course. In Albany, N.Y., the bent grass
tends to grow easterly. By watching the morning weather report, you
can learn the wind direction and wind speed.
[0010] A quick glance at your compass ball marker will help you
make the appropriate adjustments. Therefore, this device can be
your guide, no matter what course you are playing, especially the
desert courses where there are no tree references. It also can be
manufactured with a magnifying glass for the slightly visually
impaired.
[0011] All golfers know that the direction of the grain can
dramatically affect the role of the golf ball. Knowing the
prevailing direction of the grain on the putting surfaces can cut
one, two or three strokes or more off your game. A golfer cannot
have too much information and as we all known making a six foot
putt counts the same as a three hundred yard drive!
[0012] Using the compass ball marker will quickly give the golfer a
bench mark to start from when determining the direction of the
grain of the grass. After determination of direction, then the
slope of the green and distance will have to be taken into
consideration to determine how hard to hit the ball when executing
a putt.
[0013] A secondary advantage to the compass ball marker is reading
the wind direction. In the morning you can find out which way and
how fast the wind is blowing by watching the morning weather
report. You can then adjust your drive or any other shot using the
compass. For example if the wind is blowing west to east and you
are teeing off north you can adjust your stance and direction to
hit towards the west so when the wind carries the ball east it will
land you more center in the fairway as opposed to pushing it
farther east and putting you in the rough.
[0014] Of course, the invention also works as the actual ball
marker instead of using a quarter or other marking item.
[0015] The best way to use the invention is when there is a
prevailing wind from a known direction during tee off and once you
are on the green or the fringe to determine the grain direction
before your next golf stroke.
[0016] On the PGA tour, there is a local rule that a ball marker or
coin will be used to mark the ball, but the USGA rules state that
any small object can be used. With today's technologies, a very low
profile compass ball marker could be manufactured and would fit the
guidelines of being a small object.
[0017] A stemp meter is a device which is used to determine the
distance a ball will travel on a green from a constant elevation
and distance. Then the distance the ball travels is measured to
determine the slope rating of the green. The longer the distance
the ball rolls, the faster the green and the higher the slope
rating. The PGA tour players usually play on greens of 10 or higher
slope ratings. To test the inventor's herein theory, he used a
similar device to get a consistent roll on the ball hence taking
out the variables of simply using a putter. The results confirmed
his theories as to the benefits of the compass ball marker. Almost
all golf courses have a prevailing grain of grass. The compass ball
marker can reduce the time needed to determine grain of the grass,
thereby helping golfers to make decisions on how to play various
courses. Almost all professional golfers agree there is a
prevailing grain at the golf courses they play. This information is
easily obtained from the golf club professional. With the
information the compass ball marker can be of assistance in helping
the golfer to make decisions on how to play the golf course.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the accompanying drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of embodiment of the inventive
ball marker;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in use on a
putting surface with the green's grass shown in exaggerated length
and tilted in a westerly direction; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the view of FIG. 2, further
depicting a depending appendage for anchoring the ball barker in
the putting surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 disclose the
present invention, which is a compass ball marker, depicted
generally as 10.
[0023] The present invention is accordingly a golf ball marker 10
for use on a putting surface 14 (hereinafter also referred to a
sputting surface grass or putting surface green) to ascertain a
grain direction 16 of the putting surface 14 comprising a compass
12a configured and sized to be used as a ball marker 10. The
compass 12a includes an underlying substrate 12b and indicia 12c to
indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said
compass 12a.
[0024] As with many golf ball markers, the invention 10 can
optionally include an appendage 12d depending from the substrate
12b. The appendage 12d is used to anchor the golf ball marker 10
into the putting surface 14.
[0025] The present invention further includes a method for
ascertaining a grain direction 16 of a grass on a putting surface
14 comprising the steps of:
[0026] pre-determining the prevailing grain direction 16 of putting
surface grass 14 for a golf course to be played;
[0027] when preparing for a putt on each putting surface green 14
of the golf course, using a golf ball marker 10 comprising a
compass 12a configured and sized to be used as the ball marker, the
compass 12a including an underlying substrate 12b and indicia 12c
to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by the
compass 12a, and ascertaining the direction of the grain
corresponding to the pre-determined grain direction 16 previously
obtained; and
[0028] accounting for the ascertained grain direction 16 in the
eventual putt to be made.
[0029] As noted above, the pre-determined prevailing grain
direction 16 for the course in general can be obtained from a local
course golf professional or maintenance personnel.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the grain direction is leaning toward
the west. Assuming the golfer has been advised that the prevailing
wind and grain direction is westerly, the golfer can now use this
knowledge and assess the westerly direction by using the compass.
He can then make proper adjustments in putting direction and speed
when putting the golf ball.
[0031] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a
detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention
and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made
in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description,
therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
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