US20150005086A1

US20150005086A1 - Spot putting device and practice system

Info

Publication number: US20150005086A1
Application number: US14/256,063
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene Terry Tatum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2014-04-18
Publication date: 2015-01-01
Also published as: US20150005085A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a spot putting device and method of use wherein the spot putting device is comprised generally of an adjustable wicket having an arch and two distal prongs and two rounded bead-like elements wherein the bead-like elements are attached to the distal prongs of the adjustable wicket. The present invention also discloses a system of improving golf spot putting of a golfer wherein one or more spot putting devices are configured in one or more gap paired implantation holes in a platform with an artificial turf layer attached to the top surface of the platform.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/957,180 filed Jun. 27, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/875,000 filed Sep. 7, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/966,828 filed Mar. 5, 2014. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present invention is a device used to improve spot putting and the system by which said device could be used with or without a portable artificial turf/ball return mechanism. To further clarify, this invention includes separately and together the spot putting device and the portable artificial turf/ball return, both of which will be described separately, and how they may be used in the spot putting system of this invention.

BACKGROUND

Golfers have used “Spot putting” for many years. Many of the greatest golfers (Jack Nicklaus included) have used this method. The initial step is the golfer reads the line (path) and speed of the putt. Once the line over which the golfer intends to roll the ball is chosen, he or she selects a spot on that line. This precisely chosen spot (as specific as a single discolored blade of grass!) may be anywhere on the intended line, although golfers over the years have noticed that a spot at a distance of about 12 inches from the ball (on the chosen line towards the hole) is usually optimal. This is far enough along the intended line for regular success in making the putt, but not so far out as to lead to uncertainty that the golfer's aim to the spot is slightly off. Nevertheless, a chosen spot anywhere from about 6 inches to about 18 inches may work about as well. Each golfer must learn by practice where the chosen spot should be in relation to the ball and target hole.
This method for spot putting makes it very difficult for a golfer to practice, as they are often unable to tell how far off they were from the mark without any other identifying markers or devices on the putting surface. As such, there exists a need for a device for a golfer to use to practice putting along the line and over the spot in order to improve spot putting. Further, there is a need to be able to practice spot putting using a portable device to avoid making a trip to a golf course putting green.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device used to improve spot putting and the system by which said device could be used with or without a portable artificial turf/ball return mechanism. To further clarify, the present invention includes separately and together the spot putting device and the portable artificial turf/ball return, both of which will be described separately, and how they may be used in the spot putting system of this invention.
The spot putting system of this invention comprises the multiple ways the spot putting device may be used. For the purpose of brevity, the spot putting device of the present invention will be subsequently referred to as the SPD. For the same purpose, the portable artificial turf/ball return mechanism of this invention will be subsequently referred to as the PAT/BRM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the hoop of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the SPD of the present invention as implanted through a surface.

FIG. 5A is a side view of one embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of one embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 10A-D are side views of alternative decorative embodiments of the bead-like element of the SPD of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view showing the use of the SPD of the present invention during a putt.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the use of the SPD of the present invention during a putt.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the PAT/BRM of the present invention for use by a right-handed golfer.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective side view of the distal end of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cut-away side view of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing the use of the PAT/BRM of the present invention by a right-handed golfer.

FIG. 19 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the PAT/BRM of the present invention for use by a left-handed golfer.

FIG. 20A is a bottom view of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

FIG. 20B is a close up, cut away side view of the leveling screw of the PAT/BRM of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown generally in FIGS. 1-4, the SPD incorporates an adjustable hoop 101. What makes it special is the way in which it may be easily adjusted and yet be repeatedly implanted in the putting green or artificial turf at a consistent depth, without damaging the surrounding turf. The SPD is comprised of two main elements: the adjustable hoop part 101; and two rounded bead-like elements 102. The reader is referred to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 to view the SPD and the relationship of these main elements.
The adjustable hoop 101 is comprised of any firm, bendable or malleable material with sufficient density to resist significant movement out of position from a golf ball striking the hoop while implanted in the putting green or artificial turf surface 400. The hoop material may also be somewhat elastic, for the same purpose. Metal wire of the type commonly used in electrical wiring or cable, with or without a coating, is especially useful as material for the adjustable hoop part. However, any material with the basic features described above, such as dense, elastic plastics or thermoplastics, or a hard artificial or natural rubber may be used. These are merely given as examples. The bead-like elements 102 have a rounded bottom portion at their point of turf contact so as to minimize turf damage regardless of the angle of the implantable portions of the adjustable hoop 103 (see FIG. 4).
The implantable portions 103 may also be referred to as the “prongs.” The bead-like elements 102 may have a top portion of any shape, although a rounded shape minimizes the amount of the bead material needed. The bead-like elements 102 may have any means of attachment to said adjustable hoop 101, or may be formed as a bulge in the adjustable hoop material, such as from a casting or mold. The attachment may be by any means, including, but not limited to, gluing, welding, or melting the bead material to said adjustable hoop.
A preferred means of bead attachment is by inserting each bead onto the hoop by means of a central channel 101A in the bead, with the top hole shown as 104 and the bottom hole shown as 105 (see FIG. 1C). When the diameters of the hoop material and bead holes are optimal, the beads may be inserted on the hoop so as to achieve a snug fit. This may negate the need for additional fixation of the two elements (hoop and bead), although gluing the inserted beads to the hoop is preferred, so as to achieve their permanent attachment and fixation. This prevents the user of the SPD from adjusting bead placement on the hoop and thereby thwarting the careful design to maintain a precise (optimal) depth of turf implantation. The bead material may be rigid or somewhat elastic. It may be composed of any of the materials commonly used in ornamental beads for jewelry (plastics or thermoplastics, ceramics, metals, wood, etc.).
The adjustable hoop 101 is threaded through the central channel 101A by way of holes 104 and 105 of the bead-like elements 102 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The bead-like element 102 is generally shaped such that the holes 104 and 105 for the central channel 101A are recessed within the bead-like element 102. FIGS. 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment wherein the bead-like element 102 may be flush with the holes 104 and 105 for the hoop 101 to pass through central channel 101A. FIGS. 7A and 7B show another alternative embodiment wherein the bead-like element 102 may be flush with hole 104 yet hole 105 may be recessed within the bead-like element 102 for hoop 101 to pass through central channel 101A. FIGS. 8A and 8B show another alternative embodiment wherein the bead-like element 102 is crescent shaped and oriented horizontally to the hoop 101 such that the holes 104 and 105 for the hoop 101 to pass through the central channel 101A are flush with the bead-like element 102, yet curved. FIGS. 9A and 9B show another alternative embodiment wherein the bead-like element is crescent shaped and oriented vertically with the hoop 101 such that the holes for 104 and 105 for the hoop 101 to pass through the central channel 101A are flush with the bead-like element 102, yet curved along the line of the shape of the bead-like element 102.
As shown in FIGS. 10A-D, the bead-like elements 102 may have a smooth surface or rough surface or even an ornamental design, such as a dimpled surface resembling a golf ball as shown in FIG. 10A, a baseball as shown in FIG. 10B, a football as shown in FIG. 10C, and a soccer ball as shown in FIG. 10D.
The SPD of the present invention is preferably made wherein an 8 inch long segment of ⅛^thinch diameter plastic-coated steel wire is cut and placed on a jig board. For sourcing, this type of wire is commonly used for clothesline and is easily found. The wire is bent smoothly into an arch, using the outer surface of the jig as a guide. Preferable dimensions of the arch are about 3¼ inches tall and about 3 inches in outer diameter at the base of the arch (i.e., at the ends of the prongs). The resulting gap between the inner aspects of the prongs will hereafter be referred to as the “prong-to-prong gap”, or simply the “gap.” Thus, a 3 inch outer diameter at the base of the arch corresponds to a 2¾ inch prong-to-prong gap at the time of manufacture. The size of this gap is what each golfer will adjust to his or her specific needs, as described below.
For the bead-like element 102, a plastic ornamental bead of the type commonly used in costume jewelry is preferably inserted onto each prong and slid up the wire to a point where the bottom surface of each bead is approximately ¾^thinch from the end of each respective prong. It has been determined through field testing that ¾^thinch is the optimal prong length, which balances the opposing needs of stability of implantation during SPD use and minimizing wastage of material. In the preferred method of manufacture, the bead holes 104 and 105 are prefilled with industrial strength adhesive glue and additional dabs of the same glue are applied to the top and bottom surfaces of each bead at the bead-wire (hoop) interface after the beads are at their proper position along the wire (hoop). The assembled SPD (wire with attached beads) is set aside long enough for the glue to fully set.
While the foregoing is a description the preferred manufacture method for the SPD for the purposes of desired function, minimal material cost, and minimal labor, it is anticipated that further decoration and/or labeling of the SPD for commercial appeal is useful and is considered within the scope of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, once a precise spot over which the ball is intended to roll is chosen, the golfer implants the SPD into the ground surface 400, using gentle downward pressure on the hoop 101, so that each prong 103 is fully inserted up to the base of each bead-like element 102. Turning to FIG. 11, the SPD placement is such that it precisely straddles the golfer's chosen spot 1101 so that the chosen spot 1101 is equidistant from the inner aspect of each inserted prong as shown. Furthermore, the placement of the SPD is such that a line extending between the bottoms of the bead-like elements 102 is exactly perpendicular to the line of the intended putt 1102 and 1103 as it extends through the chosen spot 1101 in the direction of 1104.
For further precision in putting practice, as shown in FIG. 12, the golfer should place a standard ball mark 1201 immediately behind the golf ball 1100, centered on a backward extension 1202 of the chosen line 1102 through the center of the ball 1100. This allows the golfer to make repeated practice putts from the exact same spot with respect to the implanted SPD. Should the golfer choose to adjust the SPD, in order to increase or decrease the difficulty of putting the ball cleanly through the SPD along the intended line 1102 towards the chosen spot 1101, all he or she has to do is remove the SPD from the ground and gently squeeze the free ends of the prongs 103 closer together or gently pull them farther apart. The SPD is then re-implanted into the putting green as described above. The initial dimensions of the manufactured SPD, as described above, have been determined by field research to have a prong-to-prong gap that the average golfer should be able to get used to fairly quickly and then can adjust from there accordingly (narrower to make it more of a challenge or wider to make it easier).
The SPD is manufactured and packaged with a starting prong-to-prong gap of approximately 2¾ inches. Field research has determined that an experienced professional golfer is supremely challenged when the prong-to-prong gap becomes progressively less than 2¼ inches, especially as the chosen spot straddled by the SPD is implanted farther away from the ball than 12 inches, or on a curving line (also called a “break”). The use of the word “line” in the above and following descriptions is not meant to imply a perfectly straight line, as defined in Euclidean geometry, but rather as golfers customarily define “line,” which may be straight or have a “break.”
It should be noted that the SPD of the present invention provides the user with a diagnostic function that is particularly useful. For a right-handed golfer, if the putt hits the left side of the SPD, he or she has “pulled” the putt. If the putt hits the right side of the SPD, he or she has “pushed” the putt. Obviously, the opposite is true for a left-handed golfer. What is particularly useful about this observation is that it identifies a consistent flaw in the golfer's putting stroke, or aim, if it happens consistently. The golfer, upon making this discovery can then adjust his or her putting stroke or aim (or both, if such is the case).
Using the system described above, the SPD of the present invention can be integrated with the portable artificial turf/ball return mechanism (PAT/BRM) as shown in FIGS. 13-20.
As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the PAT/BRM has a platform 1402 with substantially rectangular and planar top and bottom surfaces. As shown in FIG. 14, to its top surface is securely fixed a similarly rectangular sheet of artificial turf material 1401 simulating a true putting green surface. The platform is comprised of a firm rigid material (such as hard plastic or thermoplastic, hard rubber, ceramic, wood or metal, so as to support the artificial turf portion 1401 and to prevent it's wrinkling or movement while in use for putting practice.
As shown in FIG. 16, an alternative embodiment of the PAT/BRM may also incorporate a middle softer layer 1601 made of softer, less rigid, material (such as polyurethane foam, soft rubber or various viscoelastic gels), so as to better simulate softer turf and/or better accept SPD implantation (to be described below). This middle softer layer 1601 is substantially planar and similarly rectangular and incorporated to intervene between said platform 1402 and artificial turf surface material 1401. In such case, said middle softer layer 1601 would be securely fixed to the artificial turf material 1401 on its top side and to the rigid platform 1402 underneath.
Surrounding the rectangular edges of the platform, on three sides (left side 1302, far side 1301, and right side 1303, as best seen in FIG. 13, is the ball return mechanism. The ball return mechanism is a concave channel 1304 which bends around the platform and is tilted downward from its highest point, where the putted ball is received on the left side 1302 for a right-handed golfer, to its lowest point, where the putted ball is returned by gravity to a return tray 1305 on the right side 1303. FIG. 19 shows the opposite configuration for a left-handed golfer.
The concave channel 1304 is generally in the shape of one half of a cylindrical tube cut in longitudinal section, and may be composed of a rigid but lightweight material, such as PVC tubing, plastic or thermoplastic tubing, thin metal tubing, lightweight wood (such as bamboo) or other like material. The concave channel 1304 diameter is sufficiently large so as to receive said putted ball and return it with minimal resistance. An up ramp 1306 (which can be made of the same lightweight material as the other parts of the ball return mechanism) extends between the ball return tray 1305 and the artificial turf surface.
A further feature of the above-described PAT/BRM is what makes it unique for use in conjunction with the SPD described above, namely various means of implanting said SPD into the PAT/BRM, so that the spot putting practice system described above may be used. For the PAT/BRMs of FIGS. 13-19, the artificial turf surface material 1401, intervening layer 1601 (if present), and underlying rigid platform material 1402 will have a series of small diameter holes of sufficient depth to receive the SPD of the present invention, shown generally in FIG. 13 as 1307A-C. The hole positions may be marked in various ways (such as a contrasting dye or paint color) if they are not already visibly discernible. If necessary for snuggly retaining the prongs 103 of the SPD, these holes may have an inner sheath of slightly elastic rubber, or plastic material, such as commonly found in syringe caps. However, such inner sheath material is believed generally not necessary if tight tolerances can be found between the SPD prong diameters and holes drilled in the rigid platform material.
In the preferred embodiment, the PAT/BRM of the present invention is manufactured wherein a one inch thick layer of hard rubber is cut into a rectangular slab measuring about 22 inches long and 9 inches wide. A matching size rectangular sheet of green carpeting material or Astroturf or similar artificial turf material (devoid of rubber backing) is permanently secured to the top surface of the rubber platform by industrial adhesive glue, staples, nails, carpet tacks or other similar means. The artificial turf material is of the type commonly found in hardware stores, landscape and garden shops, or carpet stores. Once the artificial turf surface material is securely fixed to the platform (and the adhesive glue is allowed to dry, if used), a series of holes are drilled into the surface material and underlying platform in the example pattern of Diagram FIG. 13.
The holes drilled are round, approximately ⅛^thinch in diameter and ¾^thinch in length, and tightly conforming to the dimensions and implantation angles of the SPD prongs 103. As shown further in FIGS. 14 and 16, the holes 1405A-C are drilled through the artificial turf layer 1401, continuing through the middle soft layer 1601 (if present) and ending in the platform 1402. The SPD prongs are shown in partial view in FIG. 15 wherein the prongs 1501A-B are inserted into implantation holes 1503A-B, respectively. The prong tips 1502A-B come to rest inside the platform 1402. The golfer's chosen spot is represented as 1504 on intended line 1505.
In the example pattern of FIGS. 13, 18 and 19, the layout of the holes is such that the SPD may be implanted at 6 inch, 12 inch and 18 inch distances from the golf ball beginning point. As described previously, a standard ball marker may be placed on the turf surface directly behind the golf ball beginning point, for precision and consistency of the starting point. However, optimally the golf ball beginning point is already permanently marked on the artificial turf surface by dye, paint, or other means.
As shown in the vertical cross-section of FIG. 17, the SPD implantation holes 1405A are paired in such a way as to accept narrow to wide prong-to-prong gap positions, so that all golfer skill levels can be challenged, in much the same way the individual use of the SPD of the present invention has already been described. 1701 represents a bracket attaching concave channel 1404 to platform 1402.
As shown in FIG. 18, the golfer 1802 stands with his/her toes close to the non-channeled side of the PAT/BRM and assumes the putting address position, so that he/she is addressing the golf ball 1803 at the golf ball beginning point. The procedure for handling the SPD is essentially the same as previously described, except that by necessity of this design, SPD implantation and removal are restricted to any particular pre-set hole pattern (layout). As shown in FIG. 15, the golfer 1802 aims his putt towards a predetermined spot 1504 that is through the gap in the SPD implanted in the PAT/BRM. Turning back to FIG. 18, after a putt is successfully made through the gap in the SPD, it should fall into the left concave channel 1302 of the ball return (for a right-handed golfer) and return to the right side 1303 by gravity with the ball landing in the return tray 1305, so as to begin the putting practice cycle anew. Obviously, a PAT/BRM for a left-handed golfer would have a reverse (mirror image) arrangement of the key features described above and shown in FIG. 19.
To practice breaking putts, any means of tilting the PAT/BRM (such as adjustable screws on the bottom surface of the platform base) are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. To describe just one of many possible ways to tilt the PAT/BRM for breaking putts, as shown in FIGS. 20A-B, one can insert leveling screws 302A-D, of the type one can find in any hardware store, into the bottom surface (ground-contacting surface), or base, of the platform. An example pattern of such leveling screws is demonstrated to be within or near each corner of said platform bottom surface as shown in FIG. 20A.
FIG. 20B gives a close-up side cross-sectional view of the leveling screw 305 inserted in a grommet 304 using threads 306. Alternately, some embodiments may use a leveling screw inserted directly into the platform base 303 (i.e., without the need for a grommet), although in most cases, a grommet is preferable for ease of use and less wear-and-tear on the platform material by screw adjustments. In any case, the PAT/BRM may be given any number of breaking directions based upon the degree to which each leveling screw is adjusted in relation to all of the other leveling screws. The ground-contacting surfaces of the leveling screws may have an attached high friction material, like a rubber pad 307 as shown in FIG. 20B, flange or stopper, so as to prevent unwanted sliding of the PAT/BRM while in use.
It is understood that anyone skilled in the art of making the SPD and PAT/BRM of the present invention may make a reasonable substitution of the materials and dimensions mentioned above and still be within the scope of the present invention.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A golf spot putting device, comprising:

a) an adjustable wicket having an arch and two distal prongs; and

b) two bead-like parts, wherein one bead-like part is attached to one of the two distal prongs, and the other bead-like part is attached to the other of the two distal prongs.

2. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable wicket material is selected from the group comprising a coated metal wire, an uncoated metal wire, a coated plastic polymer, an uncoated plastic polymer, a coated thermoplastic polymer, an uncoated thermoplastic polymer, a coated artificial rubber, an uncoated artificial rubber, a coated natural rubber or an uncoated natural rubber or combinations thereof.

3. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein the two prongs are separated by a gap of about 2 inches to about 3 inches.

4. The golf spot putting device of claim 3, wherein the two prongs are separated by a gap of about 2 and ½ inches.

5. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein each of the two bead-like parts are casted or molded onto the two distal prongs.

6. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein each of the two bead-like parts include a hole there through, and wherein each of the two bead-like parts are attached onto the two distal prongs through their holes.

7. The golf spot putting device of claim 6, wherein each of the two bead-like parts are attached to the two distal prongs through their holes by a securing means selected from the group comprising gluing, welding, melting or combinations thereof.

8. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein each of the two bead-like parts have a convexly rounded ground contacting bottom portion.

9. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein each of the two bead-like parts are comprised of a material selected from the group comprising rubber, plastic polymer, thermoplastic polymer, ceramic, metal, wood or combinations thereof.

10. The golf spot putting device of claim 1, wherein each of the two bead-like parts include an ornamental design.

11. A system of improving golf spot putting of a golfer, comprising:

a) a platform having a substantially planar top surface and a bottom surface, with a plurality of sides and a proximal end and a distal end;

b) an artificial turf layer attached to the top surface of the platform;

c) one or more sets of gap paired implantation holes present in the artificial turf layer and top surface of the platform, each configured to receive one or more adjustable wickets;

d) one or more adjustable wickets, each configured to be received by the one or more sets of gap paired implantation holes, wherein each adjustable wicket comprises:

i) an arch and two distal prongs; and

ii) two bead-like parts, wherein one bead-like part is attached to one of the two distal prongs, and the other bead-like part is attached to the other of the two distal prongs;

e) one or more leveling screws attached to the bottom surface of the platform, and

f) a ramp return attached to the distal end of the platform.

12. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein the platform is substantially rectangular and comprises a firm rigid material selected from the group comprising hard plastic, thermoplastic, hard rubber, ceramic, wood, metal, and combinations thereof.

13. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein each of the one or more leveling screws attached to the bottom surface of the platform are configured and adjustable to provide a plurality of directions for the putt to break.

14. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein the ramp return on the distal end of the platform comprises a concave channel that bends around the platform and is tilted downward from its highest point, where a putted ball is received, to its lowest point, where the putted golf ball is returned by gravity to a return tray.

15. The golf putting practice device of claim 15, wherein the concave channel is in shape of one half of a cylindrical tube cut or molded in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the concave channel is composed of a rigid but lightweight material selected from PVC tubing, plastic or thermoplastic tubing, thin metal tubing, lightweight wood, bamboo, and combinations thereof.

16. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein each of the adjustable wickets' material is selected from the group comprising a coated metal wire, an uncoated metal wire, a coated plastic polymer, an uncoated plastic polymer, a coated thermoplastic polymer, an uncoated thermoplastic polymer, a coated artificial rubber, an uncoated artificial rubber, a coated natural rubber or an uncoated natural rubber or combinations thereof.

17. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein each of the two bead-like parts are molded onto the two distal prongs.

18. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein each of the two bead-like parts include a hole there through, and wherein each of the two bead-like parts are attached onto the two distal prongs through their holes.

19. The system of improving golf spot putting of claim 11, wherein each of the two bead-like parts are comprised of a material selected from the group comprising plastic polymer, thermoplastic polymer, ceramic, metal, wood or combinations thereof.

20. A method of diagnosing a golfer's golf putt, comprising having the golfer putt a golf ball through the spot golf putting device of claim 1, wherein:

for a right-handed golfer, if the putt hits the left side of the device or adjustable wicket, the golfer has pulled the putt; and if the putt hits the right side of the device or wicket, the golfer has pushed the putt; and

for a left-handed golfer, if the putt hits the left side of the device or adjustable wicket, the golfer has pushed the putt; and if the putt hits the right side of the device or adjustable wicket, the golfer has pulled the putt.