US20170056747A1

US20170056747A1 - Golf Putting Aid

Info

Publication number: US20170056747A1
Application number: US14/837,821
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W. Merwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-27
Filing date: 2015-08-27
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

A golf putting aid includes a first leg and a second leg formed monolithically to a base from a sheet of flexible and resilient material. A plane is defined by the first and second legs and by the base. The first and second legs can be moved into and out of the plane, as well as laterally within the plane.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment, and more particularly to training aids for improvement of golf ball putting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Accuracy, precision, and consistency are vitally important in the play of golf. The sport depends on careful alignment of the club or putter with the eye, the body to the ball, and the ball with the hole or a target line. Often times, that target line corresponds directly with the center of the hole. Other times, however, the target line may correspond more closely to the side of the hole, or may be away from the hole altogether. In still other situations, the target line may be curved rather than straight, or may follow a rise or fall in the green. In other situations, an irregularity may force the golfer to putt in a more unconventional fashion around or over the irregularity.
Alignment of the ball along a target line is a careful and crucial process. Hitting the ball along the target line is essential for success of a golfer, and every golfer can benefit from consistent short game practice. The ability to hit the ball along the target line cannot be overstated in terms of importance: it is vital that a golfer be able to putt a ball consistently and confidently in the direction he intends, regardless of the elevation or condition of the green.
Golf aids have been developed with the intent to improve consistency and confidence when putting. Some golf aids do allow a golfer to practice his putt, but do not translate to real-world skills when putting on a slope, a rise, or rough terrain. Such golf aids are static and cannot be manipulated to adapt to train for such situations. In other words, while many golf aids do exist, there are none which allow a golfer to practice despite irregular conditions of the green such as would occur on a real golf course.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf putting aid for improving training for a golfer on flat, contoured, rising, sloping, falling, and other irregular ground surfaces includes a first leg and a second leg formed monolithically to a base from a sheet of flexible and resilient material. A plane is defined by the first and second legs and by the base. The first and second legs can be moved into and out of the plane, as well as laterally within the plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a golf ball putting aid;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are top perspective views of the golf ball putting aid of FIG. 1 in use in various fashions;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the golf ball putting aid of FIG. 1 configured in a rolled arrangement; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top perspective and top plan views, respectively, of the golf putting aid of FIG. 1 in arrangements illustrating the ability of the golf putting aid to adapt to contours or be manipulated in a plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used throughout the different figures to designate the same elements. FIG. 1 illustrates a golf putting aid 10 useful for improving a golfer's ability to putt close to a hole by providing a guide for the ball. The aid 10 flexibly bounds a target line for putting on flat, sloped, rising, or falling ground, and can be manipulated to bound a variety of target lines and approaches without deteriorating the quality of the training because of the failure of the aid 10. The aid 10 is preferably constructed from a single sheet of material or a combination of materials having the characteristics of flexibility and durability, such as vinyl.
The aid 10 includes two opposed legs 11 and 12 and a base 13. The legs 11 and 12 are each connected monolithically to the base 13, such that the legs 11 and 12 are coupled to each other via the base 13. For purposes of orientation and clarity of the description, the leg 11 will be referred to herein as the “right leg 11,” and the leg 12 will be referred to as the “left leg 12.” This is not intended to limit the application or orientation of the aid 10 in any way, and indeed, the legs 11 and 12 are substantially similar, as will be described.
The right leg 11 has a length L extending from a free end 20 of the right leg 11 to an opposed fixed end 21 of the right leg 11. The free end 20 is curved arcuately outward. The free end 20 of the right leg 11 is free and unsecured, while the fixed end 21 is formed integrally to the base 13. The right leg 11 thus defines an extension of the base 13. The right leg 11 additionally has a width W extending from an outer edge 22 to an opposed inner edge 23. The width W is approximately 2.125 inches (approximately 5.397 centimeters). Both of the outer and inner edges 22 and 23 extend from the free end 20 to the fixed end 21. The outer and inner edges 22 and 23 are straight and parallel with respect to each other. The free end 20 of the right leg 11 is a continuous extension of the inner edge 23 and curves in a convex fashion outwardly to a tip 26 formed between the free end 20 and the outer edge 22.
The right leg 11 is elongate along its length L and is generally skinny. Thus, the free end 20 is a minor edge, and the outer and inner edges 22 and 23 are major edges. The width W of the right leg 11 is constant and consistent from the fixed end 21 through to the free end 20. The length L is approximately 5 feet (approximately 1.515 meters).
The right leg 11 has a top surface 24 and an opposed bottom surface 25. The top and bottom surfaces 24 and 25 are generally planar, flat, featureless, and are parallel with respect to each other. The right leg 11 has a thickness T between the top and bottom surfaces 24 and 25 which is constant from the fixed end 21 up to the free end 20. The thickness T of the right leg 11 is minimal such that the right leg 11 has a very thin profile in elevation. The thin thickness T provides the right leg 11 with additional flexibility, the ability to be draped, and the ability to be tightly wound into a roll, as will be described later.
The left leg 12 is similar in construction to the right leg 11. As such, the description of the left leg 12 adopts and uses the same reference characters to designate the same structural elements and features of the left and right legs 12 and 11, but distinguishes the structural elements and features of the left leg 12 by designating the reference characters with a prime symbol (“′”).
The left leg 12 is coextensive to the right leg 11. The left leg 12 has a length L′ extending from a free end 20′ of the left leg 12 to an opposed fixed end 21′ of the left leg 12. The free end 20′ is curved arcuately outward, and is symmetric with respect to the free end 20 about a centerline extending between the legs 11 and 12. The free end 20′ of the left leg 12 is free and unsecured, while the fixed end 21′ is formed integrally to the base 13′. The left leg 12 thus defines an extension of the base 13′. The left leg 12 additionally has a width W′ extending from an outer edge 22′ to an opposed inner edge 23′. Both of the outer and inner edges 22′ and 23′ extend from the free end 20′ to the fixed end 21′. The outer and inner edges 22′ and 23′ are straight and parallel with respect to each other. The inner edge 23′ of the left leg 12 is directly opposed from the inner edge 23 of the right leg 12. Each of the outer and inner edges 22′ and 23′ of the left leg 12 is typically parallel with respect to each of the outer and inner edges 22′ and 23′ of the right leg 11, except as will be explained later. The free end 20′ of the left leg 12 is a continuous extension of the inner edge 23′ and curves in a convex fashion outwardly to a tip 26′ formed between the free end 20′ and the outer edge 22′.
The left leg 12 is elongate along its length L and is generally skinny. Thus, the free end 20′ is a minor edge, and the outer and inner edges 22′ and 23′ are major edges. The width W′ of the left leg 12 is constant and consistent from the fixed end 21′ through to the free end 20′. The width W′ and the length L′ of the left leg 12 are equal to the width W and the length L of the right leg 11, respectively.
The left leg 12 is coplanar with respect to the right leg 12. The left leg 12 has a top surface 24′ and an opposed bottom surface 25′. The top and bottom surfaces 24′ and 25′ are generally planar, flat, featureless, and are parallel with respect to each other. Typically, the top surface 24′ is coplanar to the top surface 24 of the right leg 11, and the bottom surface 25′ is coplanar to the bottom surface 25 of the right leg 11. The left leg 12 has a thickness T′ between the top and bottom surfaces 24′ and 25′ which is constant from the fixed end 21 up to the free end 20′. The thickness T′ of the left leg 12 is minimal such that the left leg 12 has a very thin profile in elevation. The thickness T′ is equal to the thickness T of the right leg 11. The thin thickness T′ provides the left leg 12 with additional flexibility, the ability to be draped, and the ability to be tightly wound into a roll, as will be described later.
The base 13 is disposed at the fixed ends 21 and 21′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12, respectively. The base 13 is generally flat and U-shaped. The base 13 includes a rear edge 30 and an opposed arcuate front edge 31. The front edge 31 is a minor edge and the rear edge 30 is a major edge, as the rear edge 30 is wider than the front edge 31. The rear edge 30 extends across a full width of the base 13, and the front edge 31 extends arcuately between the inner edges 23 and 23′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12, respectively, at the fixed ends 21 and 21′. The rear edge 30 is straight and perpendicular to each of the outer edges 22 and 22′ and to each of the inner edges 23 and 23′.
The base 13 has opposed right and left edges 32 and 33. The right edge 32 extends from the rear end 30 to the fixed end 21 of the right leg 11. The right edge 32 is aligned with, parallel to, and contiguous with the outer edge 23 of the right leg 11, such that the right edge 32 and the outer edge 23 define a single, continuous, and coplanar edge extending from the rear end 30 to the free end 20.
Likewise, the left edge 33 extends from the rear end 30 to the fixed end 21′ of the left leg 12. The left edge 33 of the base 13 is aligned with, parallel to, and contiguous with the outer edge 23′ of the left leg 12, such that the left edge 33 and the outer edge 23′ define a single, continuous, and coplanar edge extending from the rear end 30 to the free end 20′. The left and right edges 32 and 33 are coextensive and parallel to each other, are perpendicular to the rear edge 31, and are parallel to each of the outer edges 22 and 22′ and to each other inner edges 23 and 23′. The left and right edges 32 and 33 have an equal length A. The rear edge 30 has a length B. The lengths A of the left and right edges 32 and 33 are approximately 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and the length B of the rear edge 30 is approximately 8.5 inches (approximately 21.59 centimeters). The front edge 31 has a width C and an arcuate length equal to pi times half the width C. The width C of front edge 31 is approximately 4.25 inches (approximately 10.795 centimeters), and the arcuate length of the front edge 31 is thus approximately 6.675 inches (approximately 16.957 centimeters). The front edge 31 is twice the width of either of the free ends 20 and 20′, is twice the arcuate length of either of the free ends 20 and 20′, and has the same radius of curvature as the free ends 20 and 20′.
The base 13 has a top surface 34 and an opposed bottom surface 35. The top and bottom surfaces 34 and 35 are generally planar, flat, and are parallel with respect to each other. The base 13 has a thickness D between the top and bottom surfaces 34 and 35. The thickness D of the base 13 is minimal such that the base 13 has a very thin profile in elevation, and the base 13 has flexibility, the ability to be draped, bent, folded, and tightly wound into a roll. The thickness D is equal to the thicknesses T and T′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12, respectively, since the legs 11 and 12 are formed from a single sheet of material with the base 13. In some embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces of the aid 10 have different or contrasting colors, such as green and yellow, green and white, black and white, etc. In other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces of the aid 10 are the same color.
The aid 10 includes an opening 40 which is an entrance to a path 41 defined between the right and left legs 11 and 12. The opening 40 is bound by the right and left legs 11 and 12 at the free ends 20 and 20′ and has a width E between the inner edges 23 and 23′. The path 41 is a generally elongate open space extending from the opening 40 to the front edge 31 of the base 13. The path 41 is bound by the inner edges 23 and 23′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12. When the aid 10 is in use, the golfer hits a ball along the path 41, and the inner edges 23 and 23′ guide the golfer's alignment, the target line, and the actual path of the golf ball. The golfer may hit the ball from or toward the opening 40 or from or toward the front edge 31, as will be described later.
The aid 10 further includes a feature for use by the golfer in aligning a target line in the aid 10. A semi-circular pocket 42 is formed into the base 13. The pocket 42 is defined by the arcuate front edge 31 of the base 13. The pocket 42 is located in the base 13 to provide the golfer with a unique alignment guide not provided by other training aids. More specifically, the disposition proximate to the rear edge 30 allows a golfer to independently manipulate the right and left legs 11 and 12 of the aid 10 while maintaining the alignment of the pocket 42 aligned with the right and left legs 11 and 12. The pocket 42 maintains alignment with the right and left legs 11 and 12 in a manner that would not be possible with other locations in the base 13. The pocket has a geometric center 43 and a radius R extending therefrom to the perimeter of the pocket 42 defined by the front edge 31. The pocket 42 is disposed a distance away from the rear edge 30 of the base 13, or inboard the base 13, equal to seven-seventeenths the radius R, or approximately 0.4117 inches (approximately 1.0459 centimeters). This location in the base 13, together with the relative lengths and proportions of the pocket 42 to the right and left legs 11 and 12, provides golfers with the unique ability to move and manipulate the aid 10 without altering the functionality of the aid 10, as will be described later. Further, because the material is flexible and resilient, and because the base 13 is narrow between the pocket 42 and the rear edge 31, the aid 10 does not bend, buckle, fold, or otherwise deform when adjusting the right and left legs 11 and 12, either proximate to the base 13 or elsewhere, offering significantly improved training and play. The right and left legs 11 and 12 can thus be moved without buckling and without elastically returning to the position shown in FIG. 1.
In a first arrangement, in which most golfers use the aid 10, the aid 10 is placed flat on flat ground and the right and left legs 11 and 12 extend out from the base 10. The aid 10 is unique in at least one way in that the right and left legs 11 and 12 may be manipulated, adjusted, and moved in a variety of X, Y, and Z directions to arrange the aid 10 as the golfer needs or desires. It is briefly noted here that FIG. 1 includes a conventional XYZ axis as one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate; the XYZ axis establishes for purposes of orientation planes in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the aid 10. In the first arrangement, the right and left legs 11 and 12 extend directly out from the base 13 in parallel fashion in the X-Y plane and along the Y direction. The right leg 11 extends out from the base 13 perpendicular to the base 13: the outer edge 22 is aligned with and parallel to the right edge 32. The left leg 12 similarly extends out from the base 13 perpendicular to the base 13: the outer edge 22′ of the left leg 12 is aligned with and parallel to the left edge 33. The outer edges 22 and 22′ and the inner edges 23 and 23′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12, respectively, are each parallel to each other.
In the first arrangement, the right leg 11, the left leg 12, and the base 13 are flat and coplanar. This is typical when the aid 10 is laid out on flat ground. The top surface 24 of the right leg 11, the top surface 24′ of the left leg 12, and the top surface 34 of the base 13 are each aligned and coplanar, and the bottom surface 25 of the right leg 11, the bottom surface 25′ of the left leg 12, and the top surface 35 of the base 13 are each aligned and coplanar, such that the entire aid 10 lies in a single plane (not shown) defined between the top surfaces 24, 24′, and 34 and the bottom surfaces 25, 25′, and 35′.
In the first arrangement, the aid 10 is used in a variety of manners, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. FIG. 2A illustrates the aid 10 laid flat in the first arrangement together with a ball 50 and a cup or hole 51. The aid 10 is arranged such that the front edge 31 frames half of the hole 51 and the pocket 42 is disposed directly above the hole 51. The right and left legs 11 and 12 extend directly out therefrom, tangential to the hole 51. The right and left legs 11 and 12 are parallel with respect to each other such that the path 41 between the right and left legs 11 and 12 has a constant width equal to the width C of the front edge 31. The ball 50 is placed proximate to the opening 40 near the free ends 20 and 20′. The target line thus extends straight along the path 41 toward the hole 51. The ball 50 is hit toward the hole 51 to provide the golfer with training in hitting the ball 50 straight along the target line; the thickness T of the aid 10 allows the golfer to notice if the ball 50 hits the inner edges 23 and 23′. The ball 50 can also be placed along one of the free ends 20 and 20′ and hit toward the hole 51, to allow a golfer to practice his right- or left-breaking putt, which is a putt that causes the ball to the right or left, respectively, as it rolls forward. The unique arcuate shape of the free ends 20 and 20′ allows a golfer to putt around the free ends 20 and 20′, from an offset position, toward the hole 51.
Alternatively, the aid 10 can be arranged as in FIG. 2B, in which the ball 50 is placed in the pocket 52 and the hole 51 is proximate the free ends 20 and 20′ of the aid 10. The right and left legs 11 and 12 extend directly out therefrom, tangential to the hole 51. The right and left legs 11 and 12 are parallel with respect to each other such that the path 41 between the right and left legs 11 and 12 has a constant width equal to the width C of the front edge 31.
The hole 51 is partially concealed by the left leg 12, with the inner edge 23′ extending approximately halfway over the hole 51. In this arrangement, the golfer can increase the difficulty of the shot by reducing the effective size of the hole 51. The golfer putts along a target line which extends the length of the aid 10 and terminates in a target—the hole 51—which is approximately half the size of the typical target. Such an arrangement of the hole 51 with the right and left legs 11 and 12 uniquely allows a golfer to practice his right and left edge shots toward one half of the hole 51.
In yet another arrangement, illustrated in FIG. 2C, the aid 10 is placed on flat ground away from a hole. This is done in locations such as the golfer's office, home, backyard, or on the putting green near a hole for practice. The right and left legs 11 and 12 extend directly out therefrom, tangential to the hole 51. The right and left legs 11 and 12 are parallel with respect to each other such that the path 41 between the right and left legs 11 and 12 has a constant width equal to the width C of the front edge 31. The ball 50 is placed proximate to the opening 40 near the free ends 20 and 20′. The target line thus extends straight along the path 41 toward the center 43 of the pocket 42. The ball 50 is hit toward the center 43 to provide the golfer with training in hitting the ball 50 straight along the target line; the thickness T of the aid 10 allows the golfer to notice if the ball 50 hits the inner edges 23 and 23′.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the aid 10 is shown in a unique arrangement. The aid 10, being constructed of a single sheet of material or combination of materials having the characteristics of flexibility and durability, such as vinyl, is flexible and resilient. The aid 10 is sufficiently flexible, and the right and left legs 11 and 12 specifically are sufficiently flexible, such that they can be wound about themselves and about the base 13, so that the aid 10 can be conveniently carried with the golfer in a golf bag, a suitcase, a briefcase, or other small luggage spaces. The aid 10 is moved into the rolled arrangement shown in FIG. 3 by first folding the aid lengthwise at the base 13. The bottom surface 25 of the right leg 11 is folded against and in contact with the bottom surface 25′ of the left leg 12 such that the right and left legs 11 and 12 are against each other along their full lengths L and L′. This causes the base 13 to be pinched into a folded state in which the bottom surface 35 proximate to the right edge 32 is against the bottom surface 35 proximate to the left edge 33. The right and left legs 11 and 12 are then wound about the base 13 so that the base 13 protrudes slightly out from the center of a coil of legs 11 and 12, as shown in FIG. 3. In this rolled arrangement, the aid 10 is roughly the size of a baseball and is easy to transport. This arrangement is possible because the aid 10 is flexible and resilient. As those terms are used herein, “flexible” means the material of the aid 10 possesses sufficient flexibility to be wound tightly as in the rolled arrangement shown in FIG. 3 without tearing, cracking, inelastically deforming, or otherwise incurring permanent damage, and “resilient” means that the aid 10 will return to and maintain the first arrangement of the aid 10, as described above, when the aid 10 is unrolled from the rolled arrangement. When the aid 10 is allowed to unroll, the aid 10 will unroll and return to the first arrangement.
Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, two other arrangements are illustrated which are unique to the aid 10 by virtue of its unique construction and structural features and elements. FIG. 4A illustrates the aid 10 in a sloped arrangement, in which the aid 10 is placed on a rise, or more specifically in this exemplary illustration, three rises. The aid 10 is placed on ground which has an uneven elevation so that the free ends 20 and 20′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12, respectively, are higher than the base 13. The ground rises in uneven contours out of the X-Y plane, and the aid 10 adapts to and lays flat on the contours: the left leg 12 is disposed higher than the right leg 11. This has no effect on the orientation of the base 10; each of the right and left legs 11 and 12 remain perpendicular to the rear edge 30 of the base 13 with the pocket 42 disposed between the right and left legs 11 and 12 and the path 41 extending down from the free ends 20 and 20′ straight and bound between inner edges and 22′ of the right and left legs 11 and 12. The flexibility and resiliency of the aid 10 provide the aid 10 with the unique ability to lay flat and adapt to a contoured ground surface above and below an X-Y plane.
That flexibility and resiliency also provides the aid 10 with the ability to define different paths 41. As shown in FIG. 4B, the right and left legs 12 and 13 may be moved horizontally, or laterally in the X-Y plane, so that they converge or diverge. Arranging the right and left legs 11 and 12 in a converging formation, such that the free ends 20 and 20′ are proximate to each other, as shown in broken line, provides a golfer with the opportunity to practice putting along a confined path 41 between the free ends 20 and 20′ and the pocket 42. Arranging the right and left legs 11 and 12 in a diverging formation, such that the free ends 20 and 20′ are spaced well apart from each other, as shown in broken line, provides a golfer with the opportunity to practice putting along a wide path 41 between the free ends 20 and 20′ and the pocket 42. Arranging the right and left legs 11 and 12 in a converging or diverging fashion also allows a golfer to lay the aid 10 down proximate a hole and avoid divets, bad grass, or other obstacles. The flexibility and resiliency of the aid 10 provides the aid 10 with the unique ability to lay flat and be positioned with the legs splayed or tapered laterally in the X-Y plane.
A preferred embodiment is fully and clearly described above so as to enable one having skill in the art to understand, make, and use the same. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. To the extent that such modifications do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A golf putting aid comprising:

a first leg and an opposed second leg formed monolithically to a base from a sheet of flexible and resilient material and terminating in first and second ends, respectively, which are opposite a rear edge of the base;

the first and second legs have first and second constant widths, and first and second lengths, respectively;

the first constant width is constant along the first length, and the second constant width is constant along the second length;

the first and second legs are spaced apart from each other by a third width which is equal to twice each of the first and second constant widths;

the first and second ends are each arcuate;

a semi-circular pocket in the base between the first and second legs, the pocket having a center and a radius extending from the center, wherein the pocket is located inboard the rear edge in the base a distance less than half of each of the first and second constant widths;

a first arrangement and a second arrangement of the aid;

in the first arrangement, the aid is folded lengthwise at the base, the right leg is folded against and in contact with the left leg, the base is folded, and the right and left legs are wound into a coil about the base so that the base protrudes centrally from the coil;

in the second arrangement, the aid is unfolded, and a plane is defined by the first leg, the second leg, and the base; and

the first and second legs are each configured to be moved laterally within the plane.

2. The aid of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved independently in the plane.

3. The aid of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved above and below the plane.

4. The aid of claim 3, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved independently in, above, and below the plane.

5. The aid of claim 1, further comprising:

a path defined between the first and second legs; and

the path is open to and coupled in communication with the pocket.

6. The aid of claim 5, wherein the center of the pocket is located inboard the rear edge in the base a distance equal to 1.4 times the radius.

7. (canceled)

8. The aid of claim 1, wherein the first and second lengths are approximately 28 times the first and second constant widths.

9. A golf putting aid comprising:

a first leg and an opposed second leg formed monolithically to a base from a sheet of flexible and resilient material, each of the first and second legs including inner and outer edges, wherein the inner edge of the first leg is parallel to the inner edge of the second leg;

a common top surface and a common bottom surface extending across each of the first leg, the second leg, and the base;

the first and second legs are opposite a rear edge of the base and have first and second constant widths;

a first arrangement and a second arrangement of the aid;

the first and second legs are each configured to be moved above and below the plane.

10. The aid of claim 9, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved independently above and below the plane.

11. The aid of claim 9, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved in the plane.

12. The aid of claim 11, wherein the first and second legs are each configured to be moved independently in, above, and below the plane.

13. The aid of claim 9, further comprising:

a path defined between the first and second legs; and

the path is open to and coupled in communication with the pocket.

14. The aid of claim 13, wherein the center of the pocket is located inboard the rear edge in the base a distance equal to 1.4 times the radius.

15. The aid of claim 9, wherein:

the first and second legs have first and second lengths, respectively, and are spaced apart by a third width; and

the first and second constant widths of the first and second legs are equal to each other and are half the third width.

16. The aid of claim 15, wherein the first and second lengths are approximately 28 times the first and second constant widths.

17. A golf putting aid comprising:

a first leg and an opposed second leg formed monolithically to a base from a sheet of flexible and resilient material, opposite a rear edge of the base;

a first arrangement and a second arrangement of the aid;

in the second arrangement, the aid is unrolled and flat;

the first and second legs have first and second lengths, and first and second constant widths, respectively, and, in the second arrangement, are spaced apart by a third width;

the first and second constant widths to each other are equal, are half the third width, and are constant along the first and second lengths, respectively; and

the first and second lengths are approximately 28 times the first and second constant widths.

18. The aid of claim 17, further comprising:

a rear edge of the base opposed from the first and second legs;

a semi-circular pocket in the base between the first and second legs, the pocket having a center and a radius extending from the center; and

the pocket is located inboard the rear edge in the base a distance less than each of the first and second widths.

19. The aid of claim 18, wherein the center of the pocket is located inboard the rear edge in the base a distance equal to 1.4 times the radius.

20. The aid of claim 17, further comprising:

a first arrangement of the aid, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the base are coplanar; and

a second arrangement of the aid, in which the base is folded, and the first and second legs are in contact with each other wound about the base.