GB2456498A

GB2456498A - Golf marker

Info

Publication number: GB2456498A
Application number: GB0719172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Simeon Conrad
Original assignee: First Major Assets Ltd
Current assignee: First Major Assets Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-01
Filing date: 2007-10-01
Publication date: 2009-07-22
Also published as: GB0719172D0

Abstract

A golf marker 30 having a cutaway region such that when the marker is placed on a playing surface adjacent to a golf ball the footprint of the golf ball overlaps the cutaway region and is used for improving a golfer's 35 swing by training them to focus on the marker 30 and not a golf ball 31. The marker 30 can be positioned adjacent to the ball 31 so that the golfer 35 can see the marker 31 both just before and just after the ball 31 is struck. The marker 30, thus, provides a relatively fixed focal point for the golfer 35 upon which they can concentrate throughout their swing. The marker can be used with a teed 33 ball or one placed directly on the ground. The marker 30 can be secured to the ground or playing surface 32 so that it does not get carried away if the tee is uprooted. The marker 30 can be visually distinct from the ground 32 and/or the ball 31 so that it stands out to the golfer 35. Alternatively a representation of the marker may be provided on a playing surface.

Description

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Golf Marker

2456498

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The present invention relates to a golf marker.

5 One of the most challenging aspects of golf is that of improving and perfecting a golfer's swing. A golfer's natural reaction after hitting a golf ball is to look up in the hope of seeing how far, and in which direction, it has been struck. However, it is widely believed that keeping the golfer's head down after they have hit the ball can greatly improve their swing; lifting the head often results in the golfer changing their body 10 position and either "slicing" or "topping" the ball.

United States patent application no. US 09/975,079 (publication no. US-A-2002/0042304) discloses a golf training device to help a golfer maintain a fixed head position during their swing. The golfer inserts a tee through an opening in a so-called 15 'non-critical' part of an egg-shaped flat plate and places the ball on top of the tee. The plate entirely surrounds the tee. The golfer aligns the plate so that when they address the ball, another 'critical' part of the plate is obscured by the ball. If, during their swing, the critical part of the plate comes into the golfer's view, they can infer that their head has not remained in a fixed position. The device may be provided with a further hole 20 through which a string may be attached to the device in order to retrieve the device easily, as it is commonly carried away when the tee is uprooted.

United States patent no. US-B-5,449,176 relates to a crescent-shaped golf training device. The device is placed under a golf ball which sits on the ground. The device fits 25 entirely under the ball without touching it. The device is obscured from the golfer's view until after they have hit the ball, after which it comes into view.

The present invention seeks to provide a golf marker for improving a golfer's swing.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a golf marker for 5 improving a golfer's swing, the marker having a cutaway region for allowing the marker to be positioned on a playing surface adjacent to a golf ball such that a footprint of the ball onto the playing surface overlaps the cutaway region and wherein, when so positioned, the marker is at least partly visible to a golfer both before and after the ball is struck so as to provide a focal point for the golfer. The marker provides a relatively fixed 10 focal point upon which the golfer can focus, so that they are not tempted to look up when and during the hitting of the ball. In other words, the golfer is provided with an enlarged region upon which they can concentrate throughout their swing, the enlarged region being defined by the combined area of the ball and the marker. Having a cutaway region means that the marker can be positioned adjacent to the golf ball without 15 necessarily touching it. This means that the marker could be repositioned if slightly misaligned without moving the ball.

Preferably, the device is positionable in front of the ball in a striking direction of the ball. The marker can advantageously be placed in front of the ball so that when a golfer 20 swings to hit the ball, they do not accidentally strike the marker on the downswing. If the marker is behind the ball, this is almost certain to happen.

Preferably, the marker is useable when the ball is positioned directly on the playing surface. This allows a golfer the freedom to move the marker without having to 25 reposition the ball, which may be necessary with some existing devices where the device supports the ball. Furthermore, this allows the marker to be used to practise fairway

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shots and shots directly on a driving range mat, rather than requiring that the ball be on a tee.

Preferably, the marker is arranged to remain in the position after the ball is struck.

5 If the marker does not remain in that position, it may be difficult for the golfer to keep focussed on it. Indeed, it may act as a distraction to the golfer is it moves relative to its original position. However, if it can remain secured to the playing surface, it does not distract the golfer; rather it provides a fixed focal point on which the golfer can concentrate throughout their swing.

10

The marker may comprise a tacky coating on an underside thereof. This increases the friction between the marker and the playing surface so that the marker is less susceptible to movement relative to the playing surface. This, again, has the advantage that the golfer has a relatively fixed focal point during their swing.

15

The marker may comprise one or more fixing holes each for receiving a securing pin for securing the marker to the playing surface. This provides the golfer with the option of either securing the marker to the surface, or not securing it. For example, a golfer may wish to secure the marker to a fairway when practising their swing, but may 20 prefer not to, or may not be allowed to, secure the marker to a driving range mat.

The marker may comprise one or more spikes insertable into the playing surface for securing the marker thereto. The spikes allow the marker to be inserted into a playing surface such as a driving range mat or fairway so as to secure the marker 25 thereto. If the spikes are permanently attached to the marker, the marker can simply be pushed into the playing surface.

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Preferably, an upper surface of the marker is arranged to contrast visually with the playing surface. The golfer can, thus, clearly distinguish the marker from the playing surface so that it can "stand out" to the golfer relative to the surface. This can make it easier for the golfer to concentrate on the marker.

5

Preferably, an upper surface of the marker is arranged to contrast visually with the golf ball. The golfer can, thus, clearly distinguish the marker from the golf ball so that it can "stand out" to the golfer relative to the ball. Again, this can make it easier for the golfer to concentrate on the marker.

10

Alternatively, the upper surface of the marker may have a dimpled appearance so as to replicate an outer surface of the golf ball. This provides an increased area having a fairly uniform golf ball-like appearance, upon which a golfer can focus. This encourages the golfer to focus on the marker, i.e. a decoy ball, after the ball has been 15 struck since its surface mimics that of the ball.

Preferably, the cutaway region is provided along an inner edge of the marker closest to the ball, the edge having a span of at least 42.6mm. The marker is, thus, not fully obscured by the bail when placed adjacent to it; even if the golfer has not positioned 20 the marker in an intended position.

Preferably, an outer periphery of the marker furthest from the ball has a span of at least 21.3mm. Again, even if the marker is positioned so as to be just touching the ball, at least some of the outer periphery is visible to the golfer so that they can focus on it 25 during their swing.

The marker may include a visible region having an outer periphery which, when so positioned, is at least 21.3 mm from a centre of the footprint. The golfer can, thus, see the visible region of the ball both before and after is it struck.

The marker may comprise an illuminator for illuminating the marker. The marker can, thus, be used in when there are low levels of lighting, for example on a fairway at dusk. Furthermore, the marker may also hold a golfer's concentration more easily if it is illuminated.

The marker may comprise a curved or triangular outer periphery. Furthermore, the cutaway region may be curved or triangular.

An upper surface area of the marker may be significantly greater than an area of the footprint of the ball such that, when so positioned, the marker is almost fully visible. This means that the golfer has a large region upon which they can focus throughout their swing. In other words, the marker will be almost fully visible throughout the swing.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a set of markers comprising a plurality of such markers wherein at least two of the plurality of markers visually distinct. A set of visually distinct markers enables a golfer to rotate between each of the markers so they do not "get used to" having a marker of a particular colour. If a golfer constantly uses the same marker, its effect in retaining their concentration may decrease. If the golfer can use, for example, different coloured markers each time they practise, they do not get used to a particular marker quite so easily.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a playing surface comprising a representation of such a golf marker. Instead of the golfer having to

remember to bring the marker with them each time they practise their swing, the playing surface may have a representation of the marker. Thus, all golfers using the playing surface can benefit from using it without having to have their own marker. The representation may be arranged by a professional golfer in the most effective position on 5 the surface for providing the focal point.

The representation may comprise a two-dimensional image of the marker. If, for example, an image of the marker is painted onto the surface, the golfer need not worry about accidentally hitting the marker during their swing.

10

The representation may comprise a marker-shaped recess for receiving the marker. The golfer may place their own marker within the recess already provided in the surface. The recess may be positioned by a professional golfer in the most effective location on the surface for providing the focal point. Having a recess into which a marker 15 can be placed is also advantageous in that a more experienced golfer not requiring the marker can still use the surface without being distracted.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of improving a golfer's swing comprising providing such a marker and positioning the 20 marker on a playing surface adjacent to a golf ball such that a footprint of the ball onto the playing surface overlaps the cutaway region and wherein, when so positioned, the marker is at least partly visible to the golfer both just before and just after the ball is struck so as to provide a focal point for the golfer. A golfing coach can use the marker to help train a golfer to keep their head down by providing them with the focal point, rather 25 than simply instructing or trying to persuade them to do so. The coach can, instead, suggest that the golfer focus on the marker rather than the ball.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan and cross-sectional view of a first golf marker in accordance with the present invention;

5 Figure 2 shows several views of a second golf marker in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third marker in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are perspective views of a golf ball positioned adjacent to 10 the third marker shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5a is a side view of a golfer improving their swing by using the third marker shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5b is a close-up of the teeing area in Figure 5a;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the third marker shown in Figure 3 having an 15 alternative surface;

Figures 7 and 8 respectively show several views of a fourth and fifth golf marker in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are various views of markers having securing means; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a golf mat including a representation of a 20 marker.

Referring to Figure 1, a first golf marker 10 is shown. The marker 10 is made of a relatively durable plastics material such as high-density polythene (HDPE).

25

The marker 10 is elliptical and includes a cutaway region 12. For convenience, the cutaway region 12 will be described as being generally circular in shape, although, in fact, it is more nearly semi-circular. The circular cutaway 12 is centred at the turning

point of a major arc comprising a periphery 13, i.e. an arc starting and beginning at the ends of the major axis. The marker 10 is symmetrical about the minor axis of the elliptical part. The radius of the cutaway 12 is less than that of the semimajor axis of the elliptical-shaped marker 10. The radius of the cutaway 12 is at least 21.3 mm (0.84 5 inches) so as to accommodate fully a standard-sized golf ball (not shown).

The underside of the marker 10 is substantially planar so that it can be laid flat upon a flat playing surface (not shown). The upper surface 14 of the marker 10 is generally smooth for easily receiving advertising, branding or other graphics. It is 10 inclined from its outer periphery 13 up to a rim or peak 16 inside the periphery 13. As indicated by the cross-sectional view along the line A-A', the cross-section of the marker 10 is similar to that of the part of an aerofoil above its chord or mean camber line. In this example, the marker 10 is about 10mm high at its peak 16.

15 Referring to Figure 2, a second marker 20 is shown. The second marker 20 is similar to the first marker 10. However, the second marker 20 is semi-circular instead of being elliptical. The second marker 20 includes a semi-circular cutaway region 22, having a radius less than that of the marker 20. The midpoint of the straight edge of both the marker 20 and the cutaway region 22 are coincident. Again, the radius of the 20 cutaway region 22 is at least 21.3 mm (0.84 inches) so as to accommodate a standard-sized golf ball (not shown).

The upper surface of the marker 20 comprises three contoured regions 24, 26, 28. The first contoured region 24 extends concavely and smoothly upwards from the outer 25 periphery 23 of the marker 20 to a first peak 25 inside the periphery 23. The second contoured region 26 extends smoothly and concavely downwards from the first peak 25 to a second peak 27 below the first peak 25. The third contoured region 28 extends

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smoothly downwards from the second peak 27 to the periphery of the cutaway 22, or "inner edge".

Referring to Figure 3, a third marker 30 is shown. The third marker is elliptical, 5 similar to the first marker 10, and has a contoured upper surface similar to that of the second marker 20.

Referring to Figure 4a, the third marker 30 is positioned in front of, and adjacent to the ball 31, on a substantially flat playing surface 32. For example, for a right-handed 10 golfer, the marker 30 is placed to the left of the ball 31 as it would be seen by the golfer facing the ball 31 The playing surface 32 may be, but is not limited to, a putting green, fairway, bunker or driving range mat.

The footprint of the ball 31 on the playing surface 32, i.e. a downward projection of 15 the ball 31 onto the playing surface 32, is a circle centred directly below the centre of the ball 31 and having the same radius as the ball 31. The footprint at least partly overlaps the cutaway region 32.

Referring to Figure 4b, the golf ball 31 is supported above the playing surface 32 20 by a tee 33. The tee 33 is in the form of a short piece of resilient rubber tubing. The tee 33 includes a circular radial flange (not visible) at a lower end thereof. The tee 33 is inserted upwardly though a hole (not shown) in a driving range mat (not shown) such that the radial flange abuts the underside of the mat around the hole. The tee 33 is thereby prevented from being pulled or forced though the hole if it is struck by a golfer.

25

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Referring to Figure 4c, the golf ball 31 is supported above the playing surface by means of a conventional golf tee 34. Such tees 34 are well-known to persons skilled in the art.

5 Figure 5a shows a golfer 35 addressing, or configuring their body position ready to hit, the ball 31 positioned adjacent to the marker 30. The ball 31 is supported above the playing surface 32 by means of the rubber driving range tee 33. The golfer 35 carries a golf club 36 in both hands which, in this example, is a driver or "wood"; typically used for long-distance shots. The golfer 34 stands with each of their feet spaced approximately 10 equidistantly on either side of the ball 31, thereby forming a triangle having vertices at each foot and the ball 31.

Referring to Figure 5b, a close-up of the teeing region including the marker 30, ball 31 and tee 33 is shown. An obscured region 52 of the marker 30 is out of the golfer's 15 view due to it being below the ball 31. The remainder of the marker 30 comprises a visible region 50 which the golfer can see, and upon which they can focus, just before and just after the ball is hit. The golfer can concentrate or focus upon the visible region 50 throughout their swing, instead of being tempted to follow the ball 31 visually.

20 Referring to Figure 6, a marker 60 is of a similar structure to the third marker 30

except that its surface is designed to mimic that of a golf ball. In particular, the colour of the marker 60 is substantially the same as that of the ball, which may be, for example, either white or yellow, depending upon whether the marker 60 is to be used with a conventional golf ball - normally white - or with a type used on a driving range -25 generally yellow. The surface of the marker 60 also includes recesses or "dimples" 62 similar to those of the ball. The dimples 62 are generally circular and have a radius of

about 2mm. Although not shown fully in Figure 6, the dimples 62 cover the entire upper surface of the marker 60.

Referring to Figure 7, a fourth marker 70 is shown. The periphery 71 of the marker 5 70 is similar in plan to the periphery 23 of the second marker 20. However, the periphery 71 of the fourth marker 70 comprises a straight, vertical edge wall 73 A substantially planar region 74 extends radially inwards from the outer edge 73 to an interior edge 75, whereat the upper surface drops concavely and downwardly to the periphery of the cutaway 72. The underside of the marker 70 is coated with, or is formed 10 of, a relatively high-friction, tacky material 76. This improves the ability of the marker 70 to remain substantially fixed after the ball has been hit.

Referring to Figure 8, a fifth marker 80 is shown. The marker 80 is generally an isosceles triangle and includes a smaller, central triangular cutaway region 82 in the 15 base of the triangle. The base of the cutaway region 82 is at least 42.6mm so as to accommodate a standard-sized golf ball.

The fifth marker 80 is similar to that of the fourth marker 70 in that it includes straight, vertical edges 81 at its outer periphery 82 and a substantially planar region 84 20 extending inwardly from the outer edges 81 to an inner edge 85. However, in this example, the upper surface drops linearly, not concavely, from the inner edge 85 downwardly to the periphery of the cutaway 82.

The cutaway 82 is provided along an edge 86 of the marker closest to the ball (not 25 shown) when positioned adjacent thereto. The edge 86 has a span Si of at least

42.6mm. When the marker 80 is placed adjacent to the ball (not shown) at least some of the marker 80 is visible. The outer periphery 82 of the marker 80, i.e. the periphery

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furthest from the ball (not shown) when positioned adjacent thereto has a span S2 of at least 21,3mm. Even if the marker 80 is positioned so as to be just touching the ball, at least some of the outer periphery 82 will be visible to the golfer so that they can focus on it during their swing.

5

Referring to Figure 9, a marker 90 similar to the fourth marker 70 is shown. The marker 90 includes securing means in the form of three sets of spikes 92, or piercing protrusions 92, on the underside thereof. Each set includes three collinearly arranged spikes. In this example, the spikes 92 are arranged at extremities of the underside of the 10 marker 90. In use, the marker 90 is pushed into a playing surface, such as a fairway or driving range mat, so as to secure the marker 90 thereto.

Referring to Figure 10, a marker 100 similar to the fourth marker 70 is shown. The marker includes alternative securing means in the form of three fixing holes 102 to 15 receive respective pins 104, each of which has a head with a larger diameter than its fixing hole 102. The marker 100 can be selectively used with the securing pin 104 when securing to a playing surface is required, or without the securing pin 104 when it is not required or is otherwise impractical. Alternatively, a region of the upper surface of the marker 100 may be countersunk so that, when inserted into the holes 102, the 20 respective pins 104 lie flush with the upper surface.

Referring to Figure 11, a driving range 110 mat including a representation 112 of a golf marker is shown. The representation 112, in this case, is painted onto a conventional or modified mat 110. The representation 112 could be in the form of an 25 elliptical-type marker, such as the first marker 10, a semi-circular type marker, such as the second marker 20, or any other such marker. A golfer (not shown) can focus on the representation 112 without having to provide their own marker, and need not worry

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about it being displaced as a result of making contact with it. The representation 112 could, alternatively or additionally, comprise a recess adapted to receive a separate marker as described above.

5 Although the markers have been described as having particular features, it will be understood that the features of one marker may be replaced or augmented with those of another. For example, it will be understood that the triangular marker 80 could include holes similar to the fixing holes 102 described in relation to another marker 100.

10 Furthermore, although the description above relates to the use of individual markers, it will be appreciated that packs or sets of several visually different, or visually distinct, markers could be provided to a golfer. For example, a golfer could be provided with a pack of three differently coloured markers; one blue, one red and one orange. The golfer could, thus, alternate between the markers each time they practise, so that 15 they do not "get used to" a particular marker. A golfer may become less likely to remain focussed and revert back to following the ball if they get used to a particular marker.

It is also envisaged that the marker could be made of a relatively transparent material and may include an illuminator or illumination means, for example an LED array, 20 for attracting a golfer's visual attention and/or for illuminating the marker during poor lighting conditions. The illumination means may periodically cycle through a range of different colours; gradually transitioning between different colours or sharply changing upon expiration of a predetermined time period. Alternatively, the illumination means may change colour in response to a particular event, such as in response to a sensor 25 detecting that a golf club has been passed over the marker or by depression of a switch.

Claims

Claims

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1. A golf marker for improving a golfer's swing, the marker having a cutaway region for allowing the marker to be positioned on a playing surface adjacent to a golf

5 ball such that a footprint of the ball onto the playing surface overlaps the cutaway region and wherein, when so positioned, the marker is at least partly visible to a golfer both before and after the ball is struck so as to provide a focal point for the golfer.

2. A marker according to claim 1 wherein the marker is positionable in front

10 of the ball in a striking direction of the ball.

3. A marker according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the marker is useable when the ball is positioned directly on the playing surface.

15 4. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the marker is arranged to remain in the position after the ball is struck.

5. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the marker comprises a tacky coating on an underside thereof.

20

6. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the marker comprises one or more fixing holes each for receiving a securing pin for securing the marker to the playing surface.

25 7. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the marker comprises one or more spikes insertable into the playing surface for securing the marker thereto.

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8. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein an upper surface of the marker is arranged to contrast visually with the playing surface

9. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein an upper surface of 5 the marker is arranged to contrast visually with the golf ball.

10. A marker according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein an upper surface of the marker has a dimpled appearance so as to replicate an outer surface of the golf ball.

10

11. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the cutaway region is provided along an inner edge of the marker closest to the ball, the edge having a span of at least 42.6mm.

15 12. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein an outer periphery of the marker furthest from the ball has a span of at least 21.3mm.

13. A marker according to any preceding claim wherein the marker includes a visible region having an outer periphery which, when so positioned, is at least 21.3 mm

20 from a centre of the footprint.

14. A marker according to any preceding claim comprising an illuminator for illuminating the marker.

25 15. A marker according to any preceding claim comprising a curved or triangular outer periphery.

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16. A marker according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutaway region is curved or triangular.

17 A marker according to any preceding claim, wherein an upper surface 5 area of the marker is significantly greater than an area of the footprint of the ball such that, when so positioned, the marker is almost fully visible.

18. A set of markers comprising a plurality of markers according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least two of the plurality of markers visually distinct.

10

19. A playing surface comprising a representation of a golf marker according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A playing surface according to claim 19 wherein the representation

15 comprises a two-dimensional image of the marker.

21. A playing surface according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the representation comprises a marker-shaped recess for receiving the marker.

20 22. A marker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to

Figures 1 to 10.

23. A playing surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 11.

25

24. A method of improving a golfer's swing comprising providing a marker according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or 22 and positioning the marker on a playing

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surface adjacent to a golf ball such that a footprint of the ball onto the playing surface intersects the cutaway region and wherein, when so positioned, the marker is at least partly visible to the golfer both just before and just after the ball is struck so as to provide a focal point for the golfer.