GOLF PUTTING TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A putting training device includes a flagstick, a tape measure, and a storage cup that holds the tape measure when rolled. The flagstick inserts into a putting cup ferrule. The tape measure has distance markings and is rotatably mounted on the flagstick. The storage cup is mounted on the flagstick end opposite to the ferrule. The device may be used to train a golfer in putting by extending the tape measure from the flagstick, marking points on a circle at a predetermined practice distance placing a golf ball at each point; and striking the ball toward the putting cup. This training aid helps a player calibrate their putts with the conditions of the green, to practice putts that break from right to left or break from left to right as well as downhill putts and uphill putts, and to help with lag putting from long distances on the green.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf and, more particularly, to a putting training device.

As a player learns to play golf, it is necessary to practice a specific putting distance and breaks on the practice green. The lower the number of putts needed, the lower (i.e., better) your overall score will be. A putt requires different speeds at different distances. Also, each golf course has their green set up differently and may run fast or slow depending on multiple factors. There currently is not any training device to help improve putting from short and long distances by measuring out distances from the hole.

As can be seen, there is a need for a training device to aid golfers in improving their putts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a putting training device is provided, comprising: a flagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cup ferrule; a tape measure with predetermined distance markings having a first tape end rotatably mounted on the flagstick; and a storage cup mounted on a second end of the flagstick opposite the first end, said storage cup being operative to accommodate the tape measure in a rolled condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, a putting training method is provided, comprising: providing a putting training device comprising a flagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cup ferrule within a putting cup and a tape measure with predetermined distance markings rotatably mounted on the flagstick; inserting the flagstick into the putting cup ferrule; extending the tape measure from the flagstick; identifying a circle at a predetermined practice distance from the putting cup using the predetermined distance markings; marking points along a circumference of the circle; placing a golf ball sequentially at the points marked; and striking the golf ball toward the putting cup.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putting training aid according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a detail view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, shown in a storage position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof, shown in use; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 6-6 from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a putting training device comprising a tape measure rotatably mounted on a flagstick with a storage cup on an upper end thereof.

The present invention provides a training device to reduce the number of putts to get the golf ball into the hole, thus lowering the user's score. The user may easily place the training device in a hole and accurately measure out a distance from the practice hole. It is not necessary to walk out and guess how far away from the hole the user is. The training device aids the user in learning the putting speed to play a predetermined amount of break on putts during a round. This training aid helps a player calibrate their putts with the conditions of the green on the golf course during their round. Also, the device enables the player to practice putts that break from right to left or break from left to right as well as downhill putts and uphill putts. The inventive device also helps with lag putting from long distances on the green.

The inventive device is lightweight and may be stored in a golf bag during a round.

The tape measure preferably has a grommet at a first tape end operative to accommodate the flagstick. The grommet enables the tape measure to move 360 degrees around the hole.

The dimensions of the device are not particularly limited. The tape measure may be about ¾ inches wide and may measure out about 10 feet from the edge of the hole. The grommet has an inner diameter at least as large as the diameter of the flagstick; for example, the grommet may be about 7/16″ wide. The flagstick may be about 8 inches tall.

A method of using the training device may include the user placing the device in a practice green hole and removing the tape from the cup. The user may measure out predetermined practice distance from the edge of the cup and place tee or ball markers down in 4 or more spots, marking points along a circumference of a circle around the hole. The user may place golf balls at each marked location and try to putt the balls into the practice hole. Once the user has succeeded in sinking each golf ball into the hole using only one putt, the user may repeat the process at a longer distance from the hole. To practice lag putting, i.e., putting a long distance (e.g., within 1-5 feet of the hole) to urge the golf ball closer to the hole without it going in, the user may set a second, smaller circle at a predetermined distance from the putting cup and modulate the striking force try to get all long putts to enter that circle without reaching the putting cup. In some cases, a single golf ball may be placed sequentially placed at each marked position and putted toward the putting cup.

To assemble the training device, the user may put a first end of the flagstick into the putting cup ferrule and insert the flagstick through the tape measure grommet. The storage cup may then be installed on top of the flagstick.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, FIG. 1 shows a user 22 on a putting green 24 using a training aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, a putting cup 28 ferrule 10 in a putting hole 26 supports a flagstick 12 configured to be inserted into the ferrule 10. The flagstick 12 has been placed through a grommet 16 in a tape measure 14, holding it in place. A storage cup 18, having a circular base and a sidewall with vertical slots or openings 20 interspersed around the circumference thereof and extending therethrough, is mounted on top of the flagstick 12 at an end opposite the end inserted into the ferrule.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the tape measure 14 may be rolled and placed into the storage cup 18 which accommodates the tape measure 14 in a rolled condition when not in use. The tape measure 14 may be extended to provide predetermined distance markers 30; see FIG. 6. The tape measure 14 may be rotated to assist in placement of ball markers 32 equidistant from the putting hole 26, as shown in FIG. 5.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A putting training device, comprising: a flagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cup ferrule;a tape measure with predetermined distance markings having a first tape end rotatably mounted on the flagstick; anda storage cup mounted on a second end of the flagstick opposite the first end, said storage cup being operative to accommodate the tape measure in a rolled condition.

2. The putting training device of claim 1, wherein the storage cup comprises a circular base and a sidewall, said sidewall having vertical slots extending therethrough configured to accommodate the tape measure.

3. The putting training device of claim 1, wherein the first tape end further comprises a grommet operative to rotatably accommodate the flagstick.

4. A putting training method, comprising: providing a putting training device comprising a flagstick having a first end configured to insert into a putting cup ferrule within a putting cup and a tape measure with predetermined distance markings rotatably mounted on the flagstick;inserting the flagstick into the putting cup ferrule;extending the tape measure from the flagstick;identifying a circle at a predetermined practice distance from the putting cup using the predetermined distance markings;marking points along a circumference of the circle;placing a golf ball sequentially at the points marked; andstriking the golf ball toward the putting cup.

5. The putting training method of claim 4, further comprising: identifying a second, smaller circle at a second predetermined practice distance; andmodulating a striking force to urge the golf ball to enter the second, smaller circle without reaching the putting cup.