Golf Green Slope Detection System

Abstract

Golf players now just rely on their senses and experience to estimate the curve or slope of the green. This invention and process herein will give the player quantitative feedback which they can use to make a more accurate reading of the golf green. This invention is a two-piece device that balances a golf club horizontally which is used as a reference to the slant of the body as it stands on a slope.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf aids. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for determining the slope of putting greens of a golf course.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the game of golf there is an age-old problem of reading a green without using any measuring devices. Golf greens are not flat surfaces so a ball rolling on it will curve based on the slope of the surface. Reading a green means a player must estimate how much a ball will curve for it to go into the hole. The rules of golf prohibit a player from using any measuring device such as a bubble level to measure the slope of the green. Players now must rely on their senses and experience to estimate the curve. Most players rely on their eye site to read the green, but due to optical illusions, that type of reading is not always effective. Recently some players rely on feeling the slope of the green with their feet by standing straight with feet apart on the line of the putt. This way is very difficult to determine the slope especially when the slope is very small.

This invention and process described herein will give the player a quantitative reading of the slope relying less on eye site or feelings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a two-piece device that balances a golf club horizontally and a process for using this device. Balancing a golf club horizontally is extremely sensitive and the tilt can be manipulated by the least amount of resistance. Balancing the club on a wide object such as a finger can cause the balancing club shaft tilt to change by just turning the finger a little side to side. The key to this invention is it maintains a consistent balancing of the golf club shaft tilt no matter how the device is held or rotated.

This invention device is not an attachment to the golf club, but the golf club is laid on the device inside posts on the device. Attachments are not allowed per the USGA (United States Golf Association) rules of golf. This invention also does not use the balance point of the club shaft to balance the club. It uses two points away from the balance point on the shaft to balance the club which allows for more stability. This invention is intended to be kept in the players pocket or pouch and is only used at the players discretion.

The balancing golf club tilt does not have to be level as per a bubble level. The reading relies on the process to determine the slope. The process takes two readings and the slope is determined by the difference between the readings. The readings are referenced to a player's legs as they stand on the line of the putt. One reading facing the ball and the other facing the hole. The difference between the readings determines the direction of the curve and the amount of slope of the green. The reading is referenced to a player's legs as they stand straight with legs apart on the line of the putt. The putter spans horizontally across the body from one hand to the other. As the body changes it tilt, because it is standing on non-level ground, the putter will hit the hands at different points. This allows the player to determine which way the green slopes and approximately how much it slopes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Golf players now just rely on their senses and experience to estimate the curve or slope of the green. This invention and process herein will give the player quantitative feedback which they can use to make a more accurate reading of the golf green. Most players will be using a putter as the golf club with this invention since this invention is used on the putting green. During this inventions process, the putter shaft will bob up and down to give the player their quantitative feedback.

This invention consists of two pieces.

• • 1. See FIG. 1. The club piece is used to hold the club at a horizontal position. The club piece consists of a base that has four posts, two on each end that holds the club at spread points to keep it from rolling and to promote stability. It also contains rubber bands between these posts that prevent the club from slipping side to side. It also consists of a groove in the bottom of the base across the width.
  • 2. See FIG. 2. The hand piece consists of a base which is shaped as a U and it has a fulcrum sitting on and attached to the base. The fulcrum is pointed and can be a solid bar, a series of posts, or a rod. The hand piece is held on the player's finger.

A setup should be made first to make a reference point on the club shaft. The player would set the club during play on the club piece where the reference lines match on the club and the club piece. This keeps the player from having to adjust the club on the club piece during play. See FIG. 3. Perform the following steps to make the reference point for the setup.

• • 1. Lay the hand piece on the edge of a sharp pointed surface, like a table or counter, long wise along the diagonal.
  • 2. Lay the club piece across the hand piece at right angles where the groove on the bottom of the club piece rides on the fulcrum of the hand piece.
  • 3. Lay the golf club on the club piece such that the club head is on the right and the club handle on the left. The club head and handle should hang off the edge of the sharp pointed surface.
  • 4. Adjust the club so that the club balances on the club piece in a horizontal way. Then mark or scratch the club shaft and left notched end platform of the club piece. These lines or dots are what is used to lay the club on the club piece before each green reading.

Then stand on level ground with the legs spread to the widest most comfortable width. Then take the club piece in the left hand and rest the club on it so the reference points match up. Then rest the hand piece on the right pointer finger on the end closest to the fulcrum. Then rest the club piece in the left hand onto the hand piece in the right hand so the groove in the club piece rests on the fulcrum. Then stand straight, leaning a little forward, with the arms hanging down. Span the club across the body where the handle of the club meets the left hand. The club handle will bob up and down the left hand. Use the left hand to lightly touch the bobbing shaft so it stabilizes. The player must practice this on level ground until they master getting the club to hit the same spot on the left hand consistently. This spot on the left hand is called “Center Bob”. After developing this skill, the player goes to the course and uses the same method on a sloped green. On a sloped surface the putter will bob up or down on the left hand from “Center Bob”. If the handle bobs down then the curve will be to the right and if the handle bobs up then the curve will be to the left. The amount of the bob determines how much slope the player is standing on. The amount of bob differs for each person because of their size. The player will need to figure out how the amount of bob relates to how much break to use. The player still has to hit it on the line they choose and hit it the right speed. See FIG. 4.

It is apparent that this invention is not a measuring device because it will not give the player a precise measurement and is prone to errors as listed below. These errors will cause a miss-read of the slope. It is still an estimate but is more accurate than using the senses. It uses body mechanics like the golf swing instead of the senses.

There are certain variables in the process that affect the reading. The variables are:

• • 1. The hand piece can be held at different angles during the reading. Try to keep the hand piece level during the reading.
  • 2. Different players are different sizes making their hands and leg spread different which effects the amount of bob.
  • 3. Standing straight with the shoulders parallel with their feet. Leaning to one side or the other will invalidate the reading and cause a miss-read.

Through experience and practice a player will develop the skill and limit these variables and make the readings more accurate.

There are many ways the player can take this green reading information and translate it to how the player chooses the correct line to aim the putt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the club piece of the invention that holds the golf club. Gray areas are rubber bands that prevent club slippage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hand piece of the invention that is held in the hand and supports the club piece.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the setup procedure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of how to hold the invention during use.

Claims

1. A device that consists of two pieces. a) The club piece is used to hold the club at a horizontal position. The club piece consists of a base that has four posts, two on each end that holds the club at spread points to keep it from rolling and to promote stability. It also contains rubber bands or other non-slip materials between these posts that prevent the club from slipping side to side. It also consists of a groove in the bottom of the base across the width and this groove can be at any point along the length. The groove can be in the base or as posts that stick out of the base in a wedge, half circle or eyelet. The L in FIG. 1 stands for the length which is less than 10 inches. The W in FIG. 1 stands for the width which is less than 3 inches. The H in FIG. 1 stands for the height which is less than 2 inches.b) The hand piece consists of a base which is shaped as a U and it has a fulcrum sitting on and attached to the base. The fulcrum is pointed and can be a solid bar, a series of posts, or a rod. The hand piece is held on the player's finger. The L in FIG. 2 stands for the length which is less than 10 inches. The W in FIG. 2 stands for the width which is less than 3 inches. The H in FIG. 2 stands for the height which is less than 2 inches.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the groove on the bottom of the base of the club piece and the fulcrum on the hand piece can be switched such that the fulcrum is on the club piece and the groove on the hand piece.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein can be made of any material such as, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, 3D printer filament or resin.