PUTTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A putting system includes a sensor device, a software application, and in some embodiments, a ball rebound assembly. The putting system enables a user to practice long distance putting, or ‘lag putting,’ on varying green speeds and with minimal space requirements. The sensor device utilizes sensors and calculations to determine how far a putt would roll on a desired green speed and provides immediate feedback to the user of the putting system. As such, the putting system enables the user to train the feel and touch for long distance putts, as well as putts of varying distances, to practice and improve the skill of putting.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf and more specifically relates to a system for practicing golf putts.

RELATED ART

Putting is the act of hitting a golf ball into the hole on a golf green, using a putter. Putting is often the low-hanging fruit to improve golf scores. The problem is that when putting from long distances, the first putt rarely has the opportunity to go in the hole as it is simply too far away to have a reasonable probability of dropping, and therefore, the second putt is crucial for the golfer to lower their score. As such, the skill of being able to leave the next putt a couple of feet closer to the hole (‘lag putting’) can have a tremendous impact on the golfer's handicap and fun.

Due to this, it is important for an individual to be able to practice the skill of putting. However, there are currently many obstacles to this that the individual faces. For example, the constraint of limited indoor space poses a significant challenge for individuals practicing putting at home, whether practicing long distance putting or practicing putt distance control. In another example, the indoor environment does not accurately represent that of a golf course green, as indoor flooring, and even indoor practice greens or other dedicated practice surfaces, often do not replicate the speed of an actual green. For example, an actual golf course green may have a speed in the range of 8-10; whilst an indoor carpet may have a speed of 20. As a consequence, the individuals' capacity to improve in this aspect of the game remains underdeveloped. Accordingly, a suitable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known golf art, the present disclosure provides a novel putting system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a system that allows a user to practice putting, particularly ‘lag putting,’ on a variety of different putting green speeds and with minimal space requirements. As such, the putting system solves the problems many golfers face which is that of minimal indoor space to practice putts; and the speed of the indoor surface not being representative of an actual golf course green speed. This allows the user to train the feel and touch for long distance putts, and also practice distance control.

A putting system is disclosed herein. The putting system may include a sensor device for placement on a surface. The sensor device may include a housing defining an opening through which a golf ball is able to roll unimpeded; at least one sensor disposed within the housing and configured to generate sensed data as the golf ball rolls through the housing; and a controller disposed within the housing and in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a rolling speed of the golf ball, based on the sensed data; determine a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed, based on the sensed data; predict a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on at least the speed of the golf ball and the speed of the surface; and send the predicted distance to a remote device for display to a user.

According to another embodiment, the putting system may further include a software application useable on a remote device; and a memory disposed within the housing and storing green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds. The controller may be in communication with the at least one sensor and the software application. The controller may further be configured to predict a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on the speed of the golf ball and either the speed of the surface or desired green speed data pertaining to a desired green speed selected by a user from the plurality of green speeds.

According to another embodiment, a method for a putting system is also disclosed herein. The method for a putting system may include the steps of: placing, by a user, a sensor device on a surface; placing, by the user, a golf ball at a distance from a front of the housing; putting, by the user, the golf ball through the housing, the golf ball rolling through the opening of the housing unimpeded; sensing, by the at least one sensor, the golf ball rolling through the opening; generating, by the at least one sensor, sensed data; determining, by the controller, a rolling speed of the golf ball based on the sensed data; determining, by the controller, a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed based on the sensed data; predicting, by the controller, a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on at least the speed of the golf ball and the speed of the surface; and sending, by the controller, the predicted distance to a remote device for display to the user.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a putting system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of a putting system including a sensor device, a software application on a remote device, and a rebound member, and illustrating a golf ball being putted through the sensor device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of the sensor device and the rebound member, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front side perspective view of the sensor device including a bottom piece and a top piece, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the sensor device including laser break-beam sensors, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the golf ball passing through beams of the laser break-beam sensors, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between the sensor device, the software application and the remote device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating feedback information, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating more feedback information, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating green speed selection, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating mode selection, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating start distance selection, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating player number selection, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an example user interface of the software application and illustrating game score reset options, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for a putting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of the method for a putting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of the method for a putting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of the method for a putting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a putting system for use in practicing golf putting, and more particularly, ‘lag putting.’ Generally, the putting system utilizes sensors and calculations to determine how far a putt would roll on a desired green and further provides immediate feedback to a user of the putting system. The putting system solves the problem of minimal indoor space by providing a compact system that is able to estimate a distance a golf ball would roll without requiring the physical space required for rolling that distance. The putting system also solves the problem of an indoor surface being unable to replicate an actual green surface speed by converting the expected distance traveled on the indoor surface to a speed more representative of an actual green speed surface, as chosen by the user. As such, the putting system enables users to practice and improve their putting skills with minimal space requirements.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-16, various views and diagrams of a putting system 100 and a method 200 for the putting system 100.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4B illustrating various views of a sensor device 110, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1 in particular, the sensor device 110 may be placed on a surface 5. It is contemplated that the sensor device 110 is configured to be placed on any surface, and as such, the sensor device 110 may be calibrated for use on the particular surface. For example, the surface 5 may be a floor surface inside a user's home. In some embodiments, the sensor device 110 may be placed atop an imitation green surface on the surface 5, to further replicate a golf experience. In some embodiments, the imitation green surface (not illustrated) may be provided as part of the putting system 100, and may include a target hole, a start point marker, and two alignment marker lines on either side of the imitation green surface to enable the user to align the sensor device 110 thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4B, the sensor device 110 may include a housing 111 and at least one sensor 115. In particular, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 111 may include, generally, an inverse U-shape configuration having a top portion 118 and a pair of parallel side portions 119a, 119b extending downwardly from opposite sides of the top portion 118. The housing 111 allows a golf ball 6 that has been putted by the user therethrough, enabling the at least one sensor 115 to generate sensed data relating to (at least) the golf ball 6. As such, the housing 111 may define an opening 114, or a ball tunnel, spanning from a front 112 to a rear 112 of the housing 111, through which the golf ball 6 is able to roll unimpeded.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the putting system 100 may further comprise a ball rebound assembly 140. The ball rebound assembly 140, in some embodiments, may include a rebound member 141 having an elongated, solid cuboidal configuration constructed of a material able to rebound the golf ball 6. Particularly, the rebound member 141 may be positioned at a distance from the rear 113 of the sensor device 110 and in line therewith such that the golf ball 6 is rebounded off the rebound member 141 after rolling through the opening 114 of the sensor device 110 and rolls back to the user. In other words, the user hits the golf ball 6 through the housing 111, which travels through the opening 114 and hits the rebound member 141 after rolling from the rear 113 of the housing 111, returning the golf ball 6 to the user.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 111 may include a bottom piece 123 and a top piece 122. The bottom piece 123 and the top piece 122 may each include a top panel (126 and 124, respectively); and a pair of side panels (127a, 127b and 125a, 125b respectively).

The sensor device 110 overall may include (but is not limited to) a width of 12 inches and a length of 6 inches; and the opening 114 may include (but is not limited to) a width of 9.5 inches. Due to the compact size of the sensor device 110, the user is able to practice long distance putts with minimal space requirements. Particularly, in some embodiments, less than 10 feet of space is required to use the sensor device 110. Further, the compact size enables the sensor device 110 to be easily moved and used indoors or outdoors.

As shown in FIG. 2, located on the top portion 118 of the housing 111 may be a section 121 for receiving a display device, configured to display information to the user of the putting system 100. For example, the section 121 may include an indentation disposed within the top portion 118 and configured to receive a remote device 7 (FIG. 1), such as a smartphone, in a display position (i.e., in a position where a display screen thereof is easily viewable by the user). In other embodiments, a stand 131 (FIG. 1) may be provided. The stand 131 may be configured to insert into the section 121 on the housing 111; or may be configured to hold the display device, or smartphone, in a location preferable to the user—as shown in FIG. 1.

The use of the remote device 7 with a software application 130, as provided in some embodiments as part of the putting system 100, will be discussed in more detail below for use in displaying information to the user of the putting system 100. However, it should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, a display screen may be provided (not illustrated). For example, the display screen may be attached to the sensor device 110. In some embodiments, the display screen may be (but is not limited to) a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen.

In some embodiments, the sensor device 110 may further include one or more retractable measuring tools, such as measuring tapes (not illustrated). For example, in some embodiments, one retractable measuring tool may be disposed at the front of the housing 111, enabling the user to easily measure their golf ball 6 start distance; and another retractable measuring tool may be disposed at the rear of the housing 111, enabling the user to easily measure roll out of the golf ball 6 during calibration of the sensor device 110. The one or more retractable measuring tools may easily retract into, and expand out of, the housing 111.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the at least one sensor 115 may be disposed within the housing 111. As above, the at least one sensor 115 may be configured to generate sensed data as the golf ball 6 rolls through the housing 111. As such, the at least one sensor 115 is preferably positioned so as to collect the appropriate sensed data accurately and efficiently. In particular, two sensors 115 may be disposed on an inner surface of the pair of the parallel side portions 119a, 119b facing the opening 114 of the housing 111. In some embodiments, as shown here, the two sensors 115 may include two laser break-beam sensors/receivers. The laser beams are shown via broken lines in FIGS. 4A-4B to provide clarity and aid in understanding.

Referring more specifically now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between the sensors 115, a software application 130 useable on a remote device 7, a controller 116 (such as, but not limited to, a processor) in communication with the sensors 115 and the software application 130, and a memory 117. In some embodiments, the controller 116 and the memory 117 may be integral to the sensor device 110; however, it should be appreciated that the putting system 100 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the controller 116 and the memory 117 may be integral to the remote device 7, may be included on a remote server, or the like. As also shown here, the software application 130 may be in communication with the sensor device 110 via wireless transceivers (9 and 120, respectively) such as (but not limited to) Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. As above, the sensors 115 are configured to generate sensed data as the golf ball 6 rolls through the housing 111. In particular, the sensors 115 are able to sense a speed of a golf ball 6 as it rolls through the housing 111.

The controller 116 is able to use the sensed data received from the sensors 115 to determine a rolling speed of the golf ball 6 and a speed of the surface 5 on which the sensor device 110 is placed. Using these determinations, the controller 116 is able to predict a distance at which the golf ball 6 will roll based on, at least, the speed of the golf ball 6 and the speed of the surface 5, and display the predicted distance to the user. Particularly, the controller 116 may be configured to send the predicted distance to the software application 130, and the software application 130 then displays the predicted distance on a display screen 8 of the remote device 7.

As discussed above, the sensor device 110 is able to be calibrated to any surface, enabling the sensor device 110 to deliver consistent results regardless of the surface type. Particularly, this allows users to choose a particular green speed, and the controller 116 is then able to, using the sensed data, determine a predicted distance for the particular green speed, regardless of the speed of the surface 5 on which the sensor device 110 is placed.

In this embodiment, the memory 117 may store green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds, from which a user is able to select a desired green speed (via the software application 130), and the controller 116 is then configured to predict a distance at which the golf ball 6 will roll on the desired green speed, based on the speed of the golf ball 6 and green speed data pertaining to the desired green speed. Green speed data, for example, may include data such as coefficient of friction and deceleration rate calculations for each of the plurality of green speeds. As such, when a user putts the golf ball 6 through the housing 111, the sensors 115 and the controller 116 determine the speed of the golf ball 6, and also using green speed data pertaining to the desired green speed, the controller 116 predicts the distance the golf ball 6 will roll on the desired green speed. As such, the user is able to practice putts on their desired green speed from the comfort of their home.

The desired green speed may be the same green speed, or close approximation, as a particular golf course green the user plays and wants to practice. In some examples, the user may already know the green speed of a particular golf course they play. In other examples, the user may determine the green speed themselves. To achieve this, the user may, using a ramp or STIMPMETER®, measure three separate rollouts on a flat part of the desired green surface and take an average of the three.

Calibration of the surface 5 may be required either with first time use of the putting system 100, or when calibrating a new surface 5. As such, prior to putting through the putting system 100, the user may first be prompted to choose (via the software application 130) either “new calibration” or “previous calibration”. If “previous calibration” is selected, the user may then use the putting system 100 as normal; for example, placing the golf ball 6 at a distance from the sensor device 110, setting up the rebound block 141, etc. If “new calibration” is selected, the user performs calibration steps.

In some examples, calibration steps may include the golf ball 6 being rolled through the sensor device 110, the sensor device 110 capturing the speed via the sensors 115 and the controller 116, the user then measuring how far the golf ball 6 rolled past the sensor device 110 before coming to a full stop and inputting this data into the software application 130. In some examples, three, five or ten calibration rollouts may be performed. With this data, the controller 116 is able to convert the speed of the surface 5 to match the speed of the desired green and predict a distance at which the golf ball 6 will roll on the desired green speed, based on the sensed data (including the speed of the golf ball 6 and the speed/rate of deceleration of the (calibrated) surface 5).

In other examples, calibration may include the steps of using a calibration ramp (not illustrated) and placing the calibration ramp at a specified distance (for example, 1 foot) away from the sensor device 110, rolling the golf ball 6 down the calibration ramp through the sensor device 110, where the speed of the golf ball 6 is captured via the sensors 115 and the controller 116. In some examples, three, five or ten calibration rollouts may be performed. As above, with this data, the controller 116 is able to convert the speed of the surface 5 to match the speed of the desired green and predict a distance at which the golf ball 6 will roll on the desired green speed, based on the sensed data (including the speed of the golf ball 6 and the speed/rate of deceleration of the (calibrated) surface 5).

Referring now to FIGS. 6-12 illustrating various example user interface screens of the software application 130, being used on the remote device 7. As briefly discussed above, and as shown in these figures and FIG. 1, the remote device 7 may be (but is not limited to being) a smartphone. The software application 130 may be used to control the sensor device 110. As such, the controller 116 is configured to receive user commands from the software application 130. These user commands may be displayed on the software application 130 as various buttons, allowing users to make various selections. For example, the user may make selections regarding distance range, training mode, desired green speed, player number and start distance. The software application 130 may also utilize a keyboard of the smartphone to enable the user to input information-such as start distance, player numbers, calibration rollout distances, etc.

In some embodiments, the controller 116 (FIG. 5) may then be configured to generate a random target distance based on the user commands, send the random target distance to the software application 130 for display on the remote device 7 and use the sensed data to generate feedback information based on proximity to the random target distance. This feedback information may then be displayed on the remote device 7 via the software application 130. As demonstrated in FIGS. 6-7, feedback information may include (but is not limited to) proximity to a target, distance information, putts remaining etc., as will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 8, which shows an example user interface screen of the software application 130 where the user is able to select a particular green speed. As has been discussed above, the memory 117 may store green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds from which a user is able to select a desired green speed-using the software application 130. As shown here, the software application 130 may enable the user to select “current surface” (the surface 5 on which the sensor device 110 is placed), “green speed 7”; “green speed 8”, “green speed 9”, “green speed 10”, “green speed 11”, “green speed 12”, and “green speed 13”—with green speed 7 representing a slow green speed and green speed 13 representing a fast green speed (it should however be appreciated that the software application 130 is not limited to these options). The “current surface” option may allow the user to use the sensor device 110 on a home putting green and to utilize the actual speed of the home putting green.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, using the software application 130, the user may select a particular mode of use for the sensor device 110 along with their desired green speed, using the software application 130. The user may also input “ball start distance” into the software application 130, as shown in FIG. 10. A random target distance may then be generated by the controller 116. The random target distance may vary with each putt, allowing the user to train and putt different lengths-like they would on a golf course. In some embodiments, the user may (via the software application 130) set a desired distance range, and the random target distances may then be generated from within this range. For example, the user may enter “20-40 foot” and thus, the random target distances generated will be within the 20-40 foot range.

The user may then be tasked with putting the golf ball 6 as close to the random target distance as possible. In some embodiments, the putting system 100 may be played as a game-keeping use of the sensor device 110 fun and applying game pressure for the user. The user may select 1 or 2 players during setup (FIG. 11). If 2 player mode is selected, the user may use any game mode to play against a friend and their scores may count towards overall high/low scores in future uses of the putting system 100. Scores from the games may be saved on the memory 117. Record high/low scores may also be reset by the user for each game if they want to start fresh from no record score. It is contemplated that the user may change games/settings at any point during use of the sensor device 110. It should also be appreciated that the putting system 100 may be used without game or random target distance elements.

As shown in FIG. 9, there may be 9 different game/training modes that can be played on the putting system 100: 1) “Just Putt”; 2) “Putt to Target”; 3) “Sub 30’; 4) “Expected Putts”; 5) “10%”; 6) “Never Up Never In”; 7) “GIR (Greens in Reg)”; 8) “Up the Ladder”; and 9) “Down the Ladder”.

In the “Just Putt” mode, the user may select a green speed, and roll a putt. This mode may not include scoring but may allow the user to get a “feel” for the pace. When 2 player is selected in the “Just Putt” mode, the putting system 100 may simply prompt the players to alternate turns. In the “Putt to Target” mode, the players may be provided with a random target distance and the goal may be to get as close to the random target distance as possible. In this mode, the user may select a desired distance range and green speed, as discussed above. Further, each player rolls to the same random target distance. When 2 player is selected in this mode, the controller 116 may determine which player was closest to the random target distance and calculate how many times each player got closer than the other. The proximity to the random target distance may be provided to the players in percentages and feet/inches. The next step to this mode may be to choose the best of 3/5/7/10 modes.

In the “Sub 30” mode, the goal may be to keep the cumulative amount of feet of putts left remaining below 30 foot. Again, in this mode, the user may select a desired distance range and green speed and each player rolls to the same random target distance. The proximity to the target distance may be provided, and feet/inches of putt remaining to a target area may accumulate. The game may end when the player reaches a cumulative 30 foot of putt remaining. Modifiers for being close to a predetermined target hole or target area may provide negative scoring and allows players to counteract accumulation of feet of putts remaining. The number of putts may be the scoring metric, and as such, the number of putts before reaching 30 foot may determine the winner of the game and count towards overall high score in both 1 and 2 player modes.

In the “Expected Putts” mode, the goal may be to have the lowest total expected putts. Again, the user may select 1 or 2 players, desired distance range and green speed, each player rolls to the same random target distance and the proximity to the target is provided (in percentages and feet/inches). Based on distance remaining to the random target distance, expected putts remaining to the hole are added to the putt rolled by the player(s). The player(s) may each roll a putt on holes 1-18, and their expected putts score are calculated to determine a winner between the players (the lowest total number of expected putts is declared the winner). The lowest score in 2 player mode is also eligible for the low score of this game mode and the lowest score may be stored (again, on the memory 117).

In the “10%” mode, the goal may be to get as many consecutive putts as possible within 10% of the random target distance (for example, within 3 foot on a 30 foot putt). Again, the user may select 1 or 2 players, desired distance range and green speed, each player rolls to the same random target distance and the proximity to the target is provided in percentages and feet/inches. Each putt rolled within 10% of the random target distance may extend the players opportunity to play again. Each player may continue until they roll a putt outside 10%; and the highest number of consecutive putts rolled within 10% of the random target distance determines the winner. Wins may be calculated as match points, where a win is 1 match point to the winner; and a draw is 0.5 points to each player. The game may continue until players exit or change the mode—the next step would be for the user to choose the best of 3/5/7/10 games. The highest number of consecutive putts within 10% of the random target distance may be stored as a record to beat in the future.

In the mode “Never Up Never In,” the goal may be to roll as many consecutive putts past the predetermined target hole or area, but not beyond 10% of the random target distance. Again, the user may select 1 or 2 players, desired distance range and green speed, each player rolls to the same random target distance and the proximity to the target is provided (in percentages and feet/inches). Each putt rolled beyond the random target distance but no more than 10% of the random target distance may extend the players opportunity to play again. Each player may continue until they roll a putt short of random target distance or outside 10% beyond the target hole or area and the highest number of consecutive putts rolled within this range may determine the winner. Similar to the “10%” mode, wins may be calculated as match points (where a win is 1 match point to the winner and draw is 0.5 points to each player) and the game continues/tallies until players exit/change mode (again, the next step is for user to choose best of 3/5/7/10 games). The highest number of consecutive putts beyond the target area/hole but by no more than 10% of the random target distance may be stored as a record to beat in the future.

In the “GIR (Greens in Reg)” mode, the goal may be to get the lowest score relative to par that can be achieved on a par 72 course. As above, the user may select 1 or 2 players, desired distance range and green speed and the proximity to the target is provided (in percentages and feet/inches). In this mode however, each player may roll to a different randomized target. Based on distance remaining to target, expected putts remaining to a predetermined target hole or area are added to the putt rolled by the user+ (plus) the GIR strokes (for example, par 4=2, par 5=3, par 3=1). 18 “holes” may be played, and the player with the lowest total number of expected putts is declared the winner. The score may be expressed in relation to a par 72 course and the lowest all time scores may be stored.

In the “Up the Ladder” mode and the “Down the Ladder” mode, the user may select a “short edge” and a “long edge” (creating a minimum and maximum distance threshold) for both players to compete in. The goal of these game modes may be to roll as many putts as possible within predetermined distance thresholds. For example, if the user set parameters with a 20 foot minimum threshold and 40 foot maximum threshold, if they are playing “Up The Ladder”, player 1 would roll a putt and if it rolls beyond 20 foot but short of 40 foot, that putt would count as 1. If it rolled shorter than 20 foot or longer than 40 foot, the putt would not count and their turn would be over.

Since the players are moving “Up the Ladder”, the goal would be to set the first putt as close to 20 foot as possible while ensuring they are not short of that minimum marker. This would leave them with the most amount of space possible for subsequent putts before hitting the 40 foot threshold. If the players were playing “Down The Ladder”, the goal would be to stop the first putt as close to the long threshold (for example, 40 foot) as possible, leaving them with the most amount of space to work towards the minimum threshold (for example, 20 foot). With each putt, the distance threshold of their game changes to that of the distance of the putt they just rolled. For example, if the player rolls their first putt 25 foot, their new parameters become between 25 foot and 40 foot, tightening the “box” they have to roll subsequent putts in.

Player 1's putts may be calculated until they roll a putt that does not meet the tightening box parameters. At that point, their turn is over. Player 2 then begins with the same initial parameter as Player 1 (again, for example, 20 foot to 40 foot). In this example, if player 2 rolls their first putt, and it rolls, for example, 21 foot, giving them a better start than player 1 (who rolled at 25 foot), their new parameters would be 21 foot to 40 foot. If their next putt is 30 foot, their updated parameters become 30 foot to 40 foot. The player with the highest number of putts before going short or long of the updating thresholds becomes the winner. If they score the same number of putts, the “match” is halved.

The controller 116 may track who wins and may store the score in terms of a match tally. For example, if Player 1 wins, they get 1 match point. If they tie the next match, they halve that point, so Player 1 would then have 1.5 match points, and Player 2 would have match 0.5 points. This tallying of the match may continue until they choose to leave this game mode. The number of putts made may also be eligible for the overall high score of that game mode regardless of being 1 or 2 player mode.

Referring now to FIG. 13 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 for a putting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 200 may include one or more components or features of the putting system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 200 may include the steps of: step one 201, placing, by a user, a sensor device on a surface; step two 202, placing, by the user, a golf ball at a distance from the front of the housing (of the sensor device); step three 203, putting, by the user, the golf ball through the housing, the golf ball rolling through the opening of the housing unimpeded; step four 204, sensing, by the at least one sensor, the golf ball rolling through the opening; step five 205, generating, by the at least one sensor, sensed data; step six 206, determining, by the controller, a rolling speed of the golf ball based on the sensed data; step seven 207, determining, by the controller, a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed based on the sensed data; step eight 208, predicting, by the controller, a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on at least the speed of the golf ball and the speed of the surface; and step nine 209, sending, by the controller, the predicted distance to a remote device for display to the user.

As shown in FIG. 14, further steps may include: step 301, selecting, by the user on the software application, a desired green speed from the plurality of green speeds; step 302, predicting, by the controller, a distance at which the golf ball will roll on the desired green speed, based on the speed of the golf ball and desired green speed data pertaining to the desired green speed selected by the user from the plurality of green speeds. Similar to step nine 209 above, another step may include 303, sending, by the controller, the desired green speed predicted distance to the software application for display on the remote device.

As shown in FIG. 15, further steps may include step 401, receiving, by the controller, user commands from the software application, the user commands including a selection of a training mode and a distance range, a desired green speed, a player number and/or a start distance; step 402 generating, by the controller, a random target distance based on the selection; step 403, sending, by the controller, the random target distance to the software application for display on the remote device; step 404, using, by the controller, the sensed data to generate feedback information based on proximity to the random target distance; and step 405, sending, by the controller, the feedback information to the software application for display on the remote device.

As above, in some embodiments, the putting system may further include a ball rebound assembly. As such, as shown in FIG. 16, further steps may include: step 501, positioning, by the user, the rebound member at a distance from the rear of the sensor device; and step eight 502, rebounding, by the rebound member, the golf ball back to the user.

It should be noted that certain steps are optional and may not be implemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) or equivalent statutes. It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for are taught herein.

It should be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed invention is described here in a few exemplary embodiments of many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the relevant patent offices and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A putting system comprising: a sensor device for placement on a surface, the sensor device including: a housing defining an opening through which a golf ball is able to roll unimpeded;at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the at least one sensor configured to generate sensed data as the golf ball rolls through the housing; anda controller disposed within the housing and in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller configured to: determine a rolling speed of the golf ball based on the sensed data;determine a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed based on the sensed data;predict a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on at least the speed of the golf ball and the speed of the surface; andsend the predicted distance to a remote device for display to a user.

2. The putting system of claim 1, wherein the putting system further comprises a memory disposed within the housing; wherein the memory stores green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds;wherein the user is able to select a desired green speed from the plurality of green speeds;wherein the controller is configured to predict a distance at which the golf ball will roll on the desired green speed, based on the speed of the golf ball and desired green speed data pertaining to the desired green speed; andwherein the controller is configured to send the desired green speed predicted distance to the software application for display on the remote device.

3. The putting system of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a generally inverse U-shape configuration having a top portion and a pair of parallel side portions extending downwardly from opposite sides of the top portion, the top portion and the pair of parallel side portions defining the opening.

4. The putting system of claim 3, wherein the opening spans from a front of the housing to a rear of the housing.

5. The putting system of claim 4, further comprising a software application useable on the remote device and configured for communication with the sensor device.

6. The putting system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to receive user commands from the software application.

7. The putting system of claim 6, wherein the user commands include at least one selection of a training mode and at least one of a distance range, a desired green speed, a player number and a start distance.

8. The putting system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to generate a random target distance based on the at least one selection; wherein the controller is configured to send the random target distance to the software application for display on the remote device;wherein the controller is configured to use the sensed data to generate feedback information based on proximity to the random target distance; andwherein the controller is configured to send the feedback information to the software application for display on the remote device.

9. The putting system of claim 8, further comprising a ball rebound assembly including a rebound member, the rebound member configured to be positioned at a distance from the rear of the sensor device and in line with the sensor device such that the golf ball is rebound off the rebound member and back to the user.

10. A putting system comprising: a software application useable on a remote device; anda sensor device for placement on a surface, the sensor device including: a housing defining an opening spanning from a front to a rear of the housing, through which a golf ball is able to roll unimpeded;at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the at least one sensor configured to generate sensed data as the golf ball rolls through the housing;a memory disposed within the housing, the memory storing green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds; anda controller disposed within the housing and in communication with the at least one sensor and the software application, the controller configured to: determine a rolling speed of the golf ball based on the sensed data;determine a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed based on the sensed data;predict a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on the speed of the golf ball and at least one of the speed of the surface and desired green speed data pertaining to a desired green speed selected by a user from the plurality of green speeds; andsend the predicted distance to the software application for display on the remote device.

11. The putting system of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a generally inverse U-shape configuration having a top portion and a pair of parallel side portions extending downwardly from opposite sides of the top portion, the top portion and the pair of parallel side portions defining the opening.

12. The putting system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive user commands from the software application.

13. The putting system of claim 12, wherein the user commands include at least one selection of a training mode and at least one of a distance range, a desired green speed, a player number, and a start distance.

14. The putting system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to generate a random target distance based on the at least one selection; wherein the controller is configured to send the random target distance to the software application for display on the remote device;wherein the controller is configured to use the sensed data to generate feedback information based on proximity to the random target distance; andwherein the controller is configured to send the feedback information to the software application for display on the remote device.

15. The putting system of claim 14, further comprising a ball rebound assembly including a rebound member, the rebound member configured to be positioned at a distance from the rear of the sensor device and in line with the sensor device such that the golf ball is rebound off the rebound member and back to the user.

16. A method for a putting system, the method comprising the steps of: placing, by a user, a sensor device on a surface, the sensor device including: a housing defining an opening through which a golf ball is able to roll unimpeded;at least one sensor disposed within the housing; anda controller disposed within the housing and in communication with the at least one sensor;placing, by the user, a golf ball at a distance from the front of the housing;putting, by the user, the golf ball through the housing, the golf ball rolling through the opening of the housing unimpeded;sensing, by the at least one sensor, the golf ball rolling through the opening;generating, by the at least one sensor, sensed data;determining, by the controller, a rolling speed of the golf ball based on the sensed data;determining, by the controller, a speed of the surface on which the sensor device is placed based on the sensed data;predicting, by the controller, a distance at which the golf ball will roll based on at least the speed of the golf ball and the speed of the surface; andsending, by the controller, the predicted distance to a remote device for display to the user.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a software application useable on the remote device and configured for communication with the sensor device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a memory storing green speed data pertaining to a plurality of green speeds, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: selecting, by the user on the software application, a desired green speed from the plurality of green speeds;predicting, by the controller, a distance at which the golf ball will roll on the desired green speed, based on the speed of the golf ball and desired green speed data pertaining to the desired green speed; andsending, by the controller, the desired green speed predicted distance to the software application for display on the remote device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: receiving, by the controller, user commands from the software application, the user commands including at least one selection of a training mode and at least one of a distance range, a desired green speed, a player number and a start distance;generating, by the controller, a random target distance based on the at least one selection;sending, by the controller, the random target distance to the software application for display on the remote device;using, by the controller, the sensed data to generate feedback information based on user proximity to the random target distance; andsending, by the controller, the feedback information to the software application for display on the remote device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a ball rebound assembly including a rebound member, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: positioning, by the user, the rebound member at a distance from the rear of the sensor device; andrebounding, by the rebound member, the golf ball back to the user.