AU2019100080A4 - Golf putting training aid - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: A golf putting training aid including a cover for partially covering a hole; and locating means for locating the cover over the hole. I'CD

Description

GOLF PUTTING TRAINING AID

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a golf putting training aid.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Golf is a club and ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible.

[0004] The putt is a stroke used for putting the ball in the hole or closer to the hole (as in lagging) from the green or the fringe of the green. The putter is a club used for the putt. The golfer adjusts his/her putt to fit the circumstances of the play such as distance to the hole and slope of the green. The face of the club starts square to the target line. The club goes straight back and straight through along the same path like a pendulum.

[0005] In practice, putting can be extremely difficult to master. One shortcoming is to incorrectly identify where to aim the ball, particularly when the green is sloping and a breaking putt is required.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a training aid for practicing breaking putting.

[0007] Another shortcoming is to putt with insufficient weight so that the putt stops short of the hole.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a training aid for practicing sufficient putting weight.

2019100080 24 Jan 2019

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting training aid including:

a cover for partially covering a hole; and locating means for locating the cover over the hole.

[00010] The cover may include a straight edge for locating at a normal to the direction of a putted golf ball incident at the hole along a desirable path to assist with practicing breaking putting. The cover may cover the back of the hole relative to the desirable path whilst leaving enough space for the ball to pass at the front of the hole. The cover may cover most of the hole (e.g. 3/4), about half the hole or less than half (e.g. 1/3) of the rear of the hole, in order of decreasing putting difficulty.

[00011] The cover may include a pair of covers with parallel straight edges for aligning with the direction of a putted golf ball incident at the hole along a desirable path and between which the ball can pass.

[00012] The cover may include a concave recess for locating to receive a putted golf ball incident at the hole along a desirable path.

[00013] The aid may further include a fastening means for fastening the cover to the green. The fastening means may include at least one hole for receiving a tee. The fastening means may include a pair of holes for receiving respective tees to inhibit rotation of the cover.

[00014] The aid may further include a target on the cover at the back of the hole to assist with practicing sufficient putting weight. The target may include a raised lip. The target may include a rear line in line with the direction of a putted golf ball incident at the hole along a desirable path to assist with practicing sufficient putting weight. The target may include a front recess.

[00015] The locating means may include a circle or circular segment for fitting within the hole. The locating means may snugly fit the hole. The locating means may stop

2019100080 24 Jan 2019 short of the bottom of the hole. The locating means may extend less than 10mm into the hole.

[00016] The cover may extend beyond the hole. The cover may extend about 5mm from the hole. The cover may be thin so as to lie flat against the green adjacent the hole and permit an errantly putted ball to roll over it. Preferably, the cover is less than 3mm thick.

[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting training aid kit including a number of different training aids.

[00018] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00020] Figure 1 shows a golf putting training aid covering about one third of the hole in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[00021] Figure 2 shows a golf putting training aid covering about one half of the hole in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[00022] Figure 3 shows a golf putting training aid covering about three quarters of the hole in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[00023] Figure 4 shows a golf putting training aid covering flanks of the hole in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Figure 5 shows a golf putting training aid covering about one third of the hole in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

2019100080 24 Jan 2019 [00025] Figure 6 shows a golf putting training aid covering about one half of the hole in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[00026] Figure 7 shows a golf putting training aid covering about three quarters of the hole in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[00027] Figure 8 shows a golf putting training aid covering flanks of the hole in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and [00028] Figure 9 shows a golf putting training aid covering about one third of the hole in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a golf putting training aid 100 including a flat cover 102 for partially covering a hole 104. Locating means 106 extends beneath the cover 102 to locate the cover 102 over the hole 104. The locating means 106 includes a circular segment (or circle) for snugly fitting within the hole 104.

[00030] The cover 102 includes a straight edge 108 for locating at a normal to the direction of a putted golf ball 110, incident at the hole 104 along a desirable path 112, to assist with practicing breaking putting. The cover 102 covers the back of the hole 104 relative to the desirable path 112 whilst leaving enough space for the ball 110 to pass at the front of the hole 104.

[00031] The aid 100 further includes a fastening means 114 for fastening the cover 102 to the green 116 adjacent the hole 104. The fastening means 114 includes a pair of holes 118 for receiving respective tees to inhibit rotation of the cover 102.

[00032] The locating means 106 is glued to the underside of the cover 102 and stops short of the bottom of the hole 104. In particular, the locating means 106 typically extends less than 10mm into the hole.

2019100080 24 Jan 2019 [00033] The cover 102 extends about 5mm from the hole 104. The cover 102 is thin so as to lie flat against the green 116 adjacent the hole 104 and permits an errantly putted ball to roll over it. Preferably, the cover 102 is less than 3mm thick.

[00034] In practice, the golfer aligns the edge 108 at a right angle (i.e. normal) to the path 112 of ball entry to the hole 104 so as to readily visualize where the ball 110 needs to enter the hole 104, rather than simply aiming straight at the hole 104 which commonly results in missed breaking putts.

[00035] The cover 102 covers less than half (e.g. 1/3) of the rear of the hole 104. Alternatively, an alternative cover 102 can cover about half the hole 104 as shown in Figure 2, or most of the hole (e.g. 3/4 as shown in Figures 3 and 7), in order of increasing putting difficulty.

[00036] Figure 3 shows an alternative aid 100 where the cover 102 includes a concave recess 300 for locating to receive a putted golf ball 110 incident at the hole 104 along a desirable path 112.

[00037] Figure 4 shows an alternative aid 100 including a pair of covers 102a, 102b with parallel straight edges 108a, 108b. The edges 108a, 108b are aligned with the direction of a putted golf ball incident at the hole 104 along a desirable path 112 and between which the ball can pass. This aid 100 is great for practicing straight putting.

[00038] Figure 5 shows an alternative aid 100, similar to that of Figure 1, further including a line target 500 on the cover 102 at the back of the hole 104 to assist with practicing sufficient putting weight. The target 500 includes a rear groove line, in line with the direction of a putted golf ball incident at the hole along a desirable path 112, to assist with practicing sufficient putting weight.

[00039] Figure 6 shows an alternative aid 100 covering half the hole, similar to that of Figure 5 which covers one third of the hole, although also with the target including a front recess 600 in the cover 102 that leaves more of the hole 104 uncovered.

[00040] Figure 7 shows an alternative aid 100 with a deep concave recess 700. A raised lip target 702 extends up from the rear of the cover 102 at the back of the hole 104 to assist with practicing sufficient putting weight.

2019100080 24 Jan 2019 [00041] Figure 8 shows an alternative aid 100, similar to that of Figure 7, although with straight parallel edges 108a, 108b of the covers 102a, 102b aligned with the incident ball path 112. Once again, a lip target 702 extends up above the covers 108a, 108b to act as a backboard for ball speed control.

[00042] Figure 9 shows an alternative aid 100, similar to that of Figure 5, although the line target 500 is placed over the front of the hole 104 to assist with speed control of the ball. The aid of Figure 9 is also similar to that of Figure 1.

[00043] In practice, there is provided a golf putting training aid kit including a number of the different training aids 100 described above in relation to Figures 1 to 9. In this manner, the golfer can use suitable aids 100 for different purposes such as that of Figure 1 for breaking putting and that of Figure 5 for putting weight. Also, the golfer can use different aids for the same purpose, such as that of Figures 5 and 7 for under putting. Individual golfers will respond better to different aids 100.

[00044] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00045] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00046] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims (1)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A golf putting training aid including:

   a cover for partially covering a hole; and locating means for locating the cover over the hole.