Golf putting practice target

Abstract

A putting aide device that can be used with or without an existing golf cup or hole and has a perimeter lip for nesting on the surface edge of the hole or cup. Without the use of a hole, the device can be placed on a practice green surface of grass or a carpet or any other substitute surface for putting practices. The device has an elevated circular body with a lateral opening in a side thereof that allows a limited ball entry to itself or to the hole beneath (when used). The device includes a tuning fork feature that is struck by a properly delivered golf ball. When struck, the fork emits a sound dependent on the ball's aim, force and/or contact. This way, the golfer receives visual and audible feedback as to the quality and effectiveness of the putting stroke.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of golf is popular the world over. To improve overall scores, many golfers practice to advance their putting skills. Quite a few practice devices exist to improve a golfer's accuracy.

There are devices that require the use of an existing golf hole, such as are present on practice greens. Theses devices provide means for reducing the golf hole size, making a golf ball entry more difficult. Reference is made, for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,698 to Troiano and U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,559 to Plopper.

Some devices do not adapt well to an existing golf hole, but provide a substitute target for practice on various surfaces, indoor or outdoor. Reference is being made, for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,545 to Schindler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,919 to Selton and U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,240 to Daley.

Other devices are more elaborate and require multiple components, adjustable features, electrical components and they are cumbersome with regard to their size and materials. For example, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,856 to Fatur, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,492 to Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,873 to Nunes and U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,113 to Manning et al.

Existing devices require the use of golf holes and those not used with existing golf holes rely on visual feedback for evaluating the ball's direction and speed once a golfer commences a putting stroke.

However, there are problems with the putting practice devices that exist today. Some require the use of an existing green and golf hole. Some are intended for use with any golf hole. Some are not intended for use with any golf hole. Other devices are intended for indoor use only. Some are elaborate, cumbersome and costly. All of the known devices rely on visual feedback for an evaluation of the golfer's performance. The inventive concept described below offers important advantages over the prior art devices mentioned above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention at hand relates to an improved portable putting training aid. The simple one-piece device provides the golfer with feedback in an affordable, adaptable and more satisfying manner. The golfer can practice with or without a hole, on grass or other surfaces, indoor or outside and receive both a visual and audible evaluation of their putting skills.

The inventive device can be sized to fit within an existing golf hole and an upper member is shaped to provide a reduced opening for a golf ball entry. There is a lower member with a level bottom surface for placement on grass carpeting or other surfaces without the need for any golf hole in the ground. However, the lower member is so shaped that it can be fitted within the top of a golf hole if one so desires. The upper surface of the top member includes a recessed circular surface to simulate the normal target shape of a hole.

A central element of the device is shaped like a tuning fork and produces an audible response when struck by the golf ball. Upon ball contact, emitted tones of the device imply levels of ball speed and accuracy, whether used on a practice green or other surfaces with or without a hole.

It is now clear that the golfer gains visual and audible feedback when practicing the art of putting. The device reduces the inclination of head movements that are unfavorable for putting strokes. Overall practice becomes more pleasurable with an audible reward enhancement. The device provides a more difficult target than a normal hole in the ground. The device has a an elevated circular body with a lateral opening that allows limited ball entry to itself or to the hole beneath (when used). As mentioned above, the device includes a tuning fork that is struck by a properly delivered golf ball. When struck, the fork emits a sound dependent on the balls aim, force and contact. This way the golfer receives a visual or audible feedback as to the quality and effectiveness of the putting stroke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the practice target including the green, the device, the golf club and the golf ball;

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of the practice target;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the practice target;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the tuning fork;

FIG. 5 is a direct top view of the practice target;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the practice target;

FIG. 7 is a direct bottom view of the practice target;

FIG. 8 is a cross section through the practice target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the practice target as it is located on a ground. As mentioned above, the ground can be any surface indoors or outdoors. Indoors, it can be any flat surface, preferably a carpet having some pile. This way, the target will stay stationary when hit by a traveling golf ball. However, any surface will lend itself to the practicing golfer. A surface in the outdoors can be any grassy surface or the surface in a parking lot or a sidewalk. If a golf hole is present, it is preferred that the target be set on top of the golf hole because that is where the eventual competition will take place. The practice target 1 is placed on a simulated green. The target 1 has an upper ring type protrusion 2 thereon which makes it easier to see the target from a distance. As can be seen from FIG. 1 the target 1 has a lateral and rounded opening therein, generally designated as 3. A tuning fork is placed in the middle of the lateral opening. The tuning fork consists of two tines 4 and 4a which is attached to a side wall 5 of the lateral opening 3. The underside or bottom of the target 1 has a downwardly extending protrusion 6 thereon which follows the contour of the upper protrusion ring 2 on top of the target 1. The dimension of this lower protrusion ring 6 is such that it will fit into the opening of a golf cup or a hole in the ground and be held stationary therein. A golf ball B is shown in FIG. 1 with an arrow indicating the approach of the ball B toward the tuning fork 4. The golf Club C indicates that a strokes has commenced to propel the ball B toward the tuning fork 4.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate various views of the practice target. The same reference characters have been applied to the various elements as were applied to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5-8, again, are various views of the practice target, again with the same reference characters having been applied and the various views are self-explanatory.

Claims

1. A golf putting practice device comprising: a substantially flat member to be placed on a putting surface having on one side thereon a lateral opening of a size to allow a golf ball to enter therein, a member located in said opening to make contact with a golf ball entering said opening, said member located in said opening is a rigid and stationary member and having means thereon for creating an audible sound when hit by said ball.

2. The practice device of claim 1 including a protruding element located on a bottom of said practicing device, said member is sized to overly a golf hole in the ground.

3. (canceled)

4. The practice device of claim 4, wherein said member in said lateral opening is in a shape of a tuning fork.

5. The practice device of claim 4, wherein said tuning fork consists of two independent tines.