U.S. patent application number 14/718898 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for golf putting practice system.
The applicant listed for this patent is James Barnes. Invention is credited to James Barnes.
Application Number | 20160339321 14/718898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57324969 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160339321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnes; James |
November 24, 2016 |
GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE SYSTEM
Abstract
The present application includes a system and method of
improving a player's putting game. The system includes a target
having a plurality of different sized holes adjacent its lower
surface and configured to permit the passage of a rolling golf ball
through the target. The target is secured in a particular
orientation by one or more legs coupled to the target. The method
includes a player selecting a particular hole to practice putts in
one of three different distance ranges. Speed control is practiced
by comparing the distance the golf ball traveled past the target to
that of the length of the leg.
Inventors: |
Barnes; James; (Grand
Prairie, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barnes; James |
Grand Prairie |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57324969 |
Appl. No.: |
14/718898 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3676 20130101;
A63B 71/04 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 63/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. A golf putting practice system for improving a player's putting
game on a green, comprising: a target having a lower surface; and a
foldable leg coupled to the target and configured to orient the
target in an upright position, the leg configured to permit the
run-through of a rolling golf ball beyond the target without
obstruction; wherein the target includes a plurality of holes
extending from the lower surface and configured to permit the
passage of the rolling golf ball, the plurality of holes are sized
to have different widths, a precision hole is selectively sized to
be smaller than that of a regulation CUP diameter, a standard hole
is selectively sized to be equal to that of a regulation CUP
diameter, and a lag hole is selectively sized to be larger than a
regulation CUP diameter; wherein each width represents the
necessary accuracy of a putt from a particular playing distance to
reach a cup located on the green; and wherein the target is
configured to permit a player to practice the putts of varied
playing distances while practicing putting the golf ball at the
target from a selected practice distance.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the leg is interlocked with the
target.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the leg is detachable from the
target.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the target and the leg are
tailored to be collapsible for storage.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the leg is a guide to measure the
travel of the ball past the hole to practice avoiding overshooting
of the hole.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the leg has a length of 6
inches.
7. (canceled)
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the precision hole is used to
practice putting from playing distances within 3 feet from the
cup
9. (canceled)
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the standard hole is used to
practice putting from playing distances within 3 to 10 feet from
the cup.
11. (canceled)
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the lag hole is used to practice
putting from playing distances greater than 10 feet from the
cup.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the leg is configured to serve
as a guide to the proper speed of putting, the length of the leg
being less than 18 inches.
14-20. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present application relates generally to golf equipment
and, more particularly, to a system for improving the putting of a
player.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Golf is a game that has been around since its inception in
Scotland during the Middle Ages. The game involves striking a golf
ball with various clubs to move the ball from the "tee box" to the
"green" with the fewest possible strokes. Once on the green, the
object is to putt the ball into the hole, also located on the
green. In order to putt well, the player must be able to accurately
place the ball near the hole/cup or within the hole. Accuracy
usually involves the direction and distance of travel of the ball.
It is the object of the player to place the ball close to the hole
when putting from a far distance without overshooting the hole. At
a close distance, it is the object of the player to putt the golf
ball into the hole. Ideally a player will place the golf ball
within the hole within two putts.
[0005] Some disadvantages of golf is that putting is most often
practiced outside at a golf course. Useful and purposeful practice
is limited while in doors. Additionally, the weather typically
affects one's ability to gain much needed practice time. For the
few systems that have been developed for putting inside, none
appear to permit for the practice of putting from various distances
within a confined space.
[0006] It is desirable to provide a target or golf putting practice
system that allows for the practice of putting at all distances
irrespective of location and weather and while indoors. Although
great strides have been made, considerable shortcomings remain.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The novel features believed characteristic of the
application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the
application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further
objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by
reference to the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf putting practice system
according to the preferred embodiment of the present application;
and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the golf putting practice system of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of a leg used in the golf putting
practice system of FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a chart of the steps of practicing with the golf
putting practice system of FIG. 1.
[0012] While the system and method of the present application is
susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in
the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that the description herein of specific
embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention
is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present
application as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are
described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an
actual implementation are described in this specification. It will
of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made
to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0014] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial
relationships between various components and to the spatial
orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are
depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized
by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present
application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described
herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use
of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various
components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of
such components should be understood to describe a relative
relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of
aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described
herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
[0015] The system in accordance with the present application
overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly
associated with conventional golf putting practices. Specifically,
the system of the present application is configured to provide a
single interior based assembly/system to allow a player to practice
putting from one or more ranges of playing distances. The playing
distances represent a distance a player would be from the cup on
the green. A player selects a practice distance in front of a
target of the system and putts toward one of the plurality of holes
that corresponds to the practice distance. The system is configured
to provide holes having different widths corresponding to the size
of the cup. Use of the different widths in relation to the practice
distance allows a player to practice acceptable putting techniques
for different distances. These and other unique features of the
system are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0016] The system will be understood, both as to its structure and
operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the
system are presented herein. It should be understood that various
components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be
combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of
which are within the scope of the present application, even though
not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the
drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching
of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments
is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in
the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features,
elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated
into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise
described.
[0017] The golf putting practice system of the present application
is illustrated in the associated drawings. Referring now to the
drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding
or similar elements in form and function throughout the several
views. FIGS. 1-3 in the drawings illustrate a golf putting practice
system 101. System 101 includes an assembly having a target 103
coupled to one or more legs 105. The target includes a plurality of
holes 107a-c of varied width. System 101 is configured to adjust
the required accuracy for a player to pass beyond target 103
depending on the distance from target 103. By selecting a
particular hole 107a-c, a player is able to practice putting
techniques for different distance ranges.
[0018] System 101 is configured to be adapted for indoor use. As
such, system 101 is tailored to be collapsible for easy and tight
storage. Legs 105 and target 103 are configured to collapse in a
parallel configuration for storage in thin elongated spaces. An
advantage to using system 101 is the ability to practice putting
from varied distances year-round irrespective of the weather or
green fees. System 101 is also designed to set up and take down
quickly. System 101 may be used during short breaks at the office
or in the home on a variety of surfaces.
[0019] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, leg 105 is coupled to target 103
and configured to orient target 103 in an upright position. Leg 105
is includes a plurality of pegs 109 extending from a front surface
111. Pegs 109 are configured to pass through slots 113 in target
103 and interlock with target 103. Legs 105 may be detached from
target 103 at any time and stored away for use at a later time or
transported to another location. Although the use of an
interlocking arrangement has been described, it is understood that
the method of coupling leg 105 to target 103 is not so limited.
Other methods of coupling may be used and are considered part of
the scope of the present application. It is understood that some
embodiments may couple leg 105 to target 103, such that leg 105 is
hinged to target 103 to prevent separation.
[0020] Target 103 is configured to be oriented such that the player
practicing with system 101 is directly in front of a portion of
target 103. Holes 107a-c are formed in target 103 along a lower
surface 115. Holes 107a-c are configured to permit the passage of a
golf ball 117 rolling through target 105. System 101 is designed to
assist players of golf to develop a good putting technique to lower
the number of strokes necessary to get the ball 117 in the cup.
Techniques and strategies for putting can vary depending on the
distance a player is to the cup. System 101 is designed to provide
holes 107a-c that assist players in practicing techniques for
putting at different distances. Holes 107a-c each have different
widths necessary to hone the accuracy of a player's putting.
[0021] Hole 107a is termed a precision hole. Hole 107a has a width
smaller than the diameter of a standard regulation cup. For
example, the width of hole 107a may be approximately one half that
of a standard regulation cup. Hole 107a is used to practice putting
from playing distances within three feet of the target. The purpose
of hole 107a is to hone the player's technique and accuracy for
hitting the center of the cup. The player is forced to hit an
accurate putt to pass through hole 107a. During an actual game of
golf, the cup is larger and therefore becomes easier to make an
accurate putt.
[0022] Hole 107b is termed a standard hole. The width of hole 107b
is that of the diameter of a standard regulation cup. Hole 107b is
used to practice putting from playing distances within three to ten
feet of the cup. At such distances, the player is focusing on their
stroke and sight alignment.
[0023] Hole 107c is termed a lag hole. The width of hole 107c is
greater than the diameter of a standard regulation cup. For
example, the width of hole 107c may be approximately 50% larger
than the diameter of the regulation cup. Hole 107c is used to
practice lagging skills from extreme distances. The focus of
practicing lag putts is to put the ball 117 six to eighteen inches
past the target hole. By placing the ball 117 this close, the next
putt is a very close and should almost be automatic. The practice
of lag putting helps a golfer/player to get off the green in two
putts.
[0024] System 101 is also configured to help a player practice the
speed of putts. The general consensus of golf teaching
professionals recommend putting the ball 117 with enough speed
that, if the ball 117 misses the cup, the ball 117 will only travel
six to eighteen inches passed the cup. This is to allow the next
shot to remain in close enough proximity to the cup to allow the
player to tap in for an easy stroke. By better controlling speed
during putts, a player is able to avoid overshooting the cup. As
seen in FIG. 3, leg 105 has a particular length. The length of leg
105 may be set to any length between 6 and 18 inches. The length of
leg 105 is significant because the speed of ball 117 passing
through any of holes 107a-c should be slow enough to come to rest
at some point within the length of leg 105. By setting legs 105 to
eighteen inches, legs 105 act as a measurement or guide to allow
the player to adjust the speed of the puts. In some embodiments,
the length of leg 105 may be adjustable to allow a player to
practice with different lengths. As the player develops a greater
feel for speed control of ball 117, the length of legs 105 may be
decreased. The precise shape and contour of leg 105 is not limited
to that as seen in the figures. Leg 105 may include one or more
folds or creases to permit adjustment of the length of legs
105.
[0025] Referring now also to FIG. 4 in the drawings, a chart
illustrated the steps of practicing with system 101 is shown. In
practice a player erects the target 201. The target has the
plurality of holes of varied widths. Each having a different width
in proportion to the size of the cup on a green. The target is
supported 203 in an upright orientation by positioning a leg in
communication with the target, so as to orient the target at an
acceptable position. The player selects a practice putting distance
205. The distance is measured from the target and represents a
playing distance from a cup during a round of golf. The player
selects a particular hole 207 on the target to use and putts 209
the golf ball toward the respective hole. As a player develops
their technique and speed control, system 101 is configured to
permit the player to alter the hole selection from that of the
prescribed ranges. For example, a player putting a distance of
twelve feet from the target may select hole 107b to practice lag
putts in order to further tune and hone his/her skills. Likewise a
smaller hole may always be selected than the one in the distance
range the player is putting in to increase the difficulty. In this
way, system 101 permits varied levels of difficulty and practice
for a player.
[0026] The current application has many advantages over the prior
art including at least the following: (1) multiple holes of varied
width; (2) ability to practice speed control and accuracy at
different distances; and (3) ability to interchange the holes with
distance ranges to increase difficulty.
[0027] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative
only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different
but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having
the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that
the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or
modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope
and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought
herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an
application with significant advantages has been described and
illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited
number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is
amenable to various changes and modifications without departing
from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *