WO2009045233A1

WO2009045233A1 - Golf putting practice device, method for practicing putting using same, and method for advertising using same

Info

Publication number: WO2009045233A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/003700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donnie Travis Prince
Original assignee: Donnie Travis Prince
Priority date: 2007-10-04
Filing date: 2008-03-20
Publication date: 2009-04-09
Also published as: US20080132348A1

Abstract

The subject matter described herein includes a golf putting practice device, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method for advertising using same. According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a golf putting practice device is provided. The golf putting practice device includes a substantially bell shaped member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and a sidewall for joining the upper and lower surfaces and receiving impact from golf balls during putting practice. At least one visual target is located in or on the sidewall for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.

Description

GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRACTICING PUTTING USING SAME, AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISING USING

SAME

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/906,936, filed October 4, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to golf putting practice devices, methods for using such devices to practice putting, and methods for advertising using such devices. More particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to a golf putting practice device, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method for advertising using same.

BACKGROUND In different sports, aiming and focusing on a target is often critical success. For example, in tennis, in order to successfully return a ball in bounds, a tennis player must visually focus on the tennis ball or on a portion of the tennis ball before swinging at the ball. Similarly, in football, baseball, and basketball, it may be desirable to focus on a visual target for throwing or shooting the ball in order for the ball to reach a desired location. The game of golf is no different. For example, golfers often focus tee shots and fairway shots on particular landscape objects (e.g., trees, hills, etc.) to send the golf ball in a desired direction.

One particular area in golf where focusing on a target is critical is in putting and more particularly, in short putting (i.e., putting within ten feet of the hole). In putting, in order to increase the likelihood that a golf ball will fall into a golf hole, it is desirable to the putt the ball so that the ball will enter the hole at or near the center of the diameter of the hole. In order for a golfer to successfully putt the ball such that the ball will enter the hole at or near the center of the hole diameter, the golfer often selects a target, such as a blade of grass or other imperfection on the back side of the hole, aims the face of the putter in the direction of focus, and putts the ball in that direction. By aiming and focusing on the blade of grass or other imperfection, rather than the entire hole, the golfer increases his or her chances of making a putt. Current golf putting practice devices are of various types. For example, stationary and portable golf hole devices allow golfers to put at holes either in the floor or in a raised portion that rests on the floor. Other types of devices include raised targets that rest on the putting surface. However, all of these devices lack one or more desirable features, such as a visual target on which a golfer can focus, a mechanism for repelling golf balls so that the golfer can practice multiple putts without retrieving golf balls, and/or a design which is ergonomic, easily portable, and suitable for branding.

Yet another problem in the area of advertising is finding new ways to advertise to desirable advertising targets. Golfers typically represent an important cross section of business communities. Accordingly, entities may desire to market products, services, events or the entities themselves to golfers, for example at golf events, such as golf tournaments. It is common practice at golf events to distribute golf related products that are branded with company logos. For example, golf balls and golf tees are often branded with company logos and distributed to golfers. One problem with branding golf balls and golf tees is that they are often lost or broken by golfers and hence are not permanently kept by the golfers. Other types of marketing materials that are distributed at golf events, such as hats or other articles of clothing branded with company logos, are likewise disposable and have limited useful lives. Accordingly, there exists a need for new ways to market a product, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers.

In light of these difficulties, there exists a long felt need for a golf putting practice device, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method for advertising using same. SUMMARY

According to another aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a golf putting practice device. The golf putting practice device includes a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces where the at least one sidewall is positioned to receive contact from golf balls during putting practice. The at least one sidewall forms a convex portion adjacent to the upper surface, a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion, and a cone shaped portion extending angularly outward from the concave portion and terminating in the lower surface.

According to another aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for practicing golf putting. The method includes placing, on a putting surface, a substantially bell shaped member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces and configured to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice and at least one visual target located in or on the sidewall for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice. The method further includes visually focusing on the at least one visual target and putting a golf ball at the substantially bell shaped member in a direction corresponding to the focusing.

According to yet another aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for practicing golf putting, the method includes placing, on a putting surface, a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one sidewall being positioned to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice, the at least one sidewall forming a convex portion adjacent to the upper surface, the at least one sidewall forming a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion, and the at least one sidewall forming a cone shaped portion extending angularly outward from the concave portion and terminating in the lower surface. The method further includes putting a golf ball at the member.

According to yet another aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for advertising at least one of an entity, a product, a service or an event to golfers. The method includes placing a logo for an entity, a product, a service, or an event on each of a plurality of golf putting practice devices, where each golf putting practice device comprises a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and a sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces and for receiving impact from golf balls during putting practice. The method further includes distributing the golf practice devices with the logos to golfers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the subject matter described herein will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to an - embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device and a golf ball located on a putting surface according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein; and

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for marketing a product, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers at a golf event according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein includes a golf putting practice device, a method for practicing putting using same, and a method for advertising using same. Figure 1 is a front view of a golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. Referring to Figure 1 , a golf putting practice device includes a substantially bell shaped member 100. The substantially bell shaped member 100 has an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104 for resting on a putting surface, and a sidewall 106 for joining the upper and lower surfaces and for receiving impact from golf balls during putting practice. According to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein, a visual target 108 is located in or on sidewall 106. In the illustrated example, visual target 108 comprises the number 2 inside of a circle. However, any suitable visual target may be used. For example, the visual target may be a logo for an entity, product, service, or event where the golf putting practice device is used for advertising purposes. In addition, visual target 108 may be painted on sidewall 106, etched in sidewall 106, or adhered to sidewall 106, in the case of a decal. Thus, visual target 108 may be any indicia of at least two dimensions on which a golfer can focus during putting practice. Bell shaped member 100 may be made of any suitable material.

Desirable characteristics of such a material are low manufacturing costs, durability, and the ability to withstand impact from a golf ball without substantial movement. For example, it is desirable for a golf ball to impact sidewall 106 of member 100 and then repel or rebound away from member 100. Exemplary material suitable for use as member 100 include a plastic material, such as polyvinylchloride, wood, or a plastic material with at least some denser material in the core to provide stability. For example, the core of member 100 may be filled with lead or other metallic material. In one implementation, member 100 may be formed of a rubberized thermoplastic material (TPM), such as a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) material. Once example of a TPV that may be used for member 100 is Sanoprene^tm. Using a rubberized material may increase the ability for member 100 to repel golf balls during putting practice. Member 100 may be formed by any suitable process, such as injection molding or lathing.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, sidewall 106 forms a convex portion 110 adjacent to upper surface 102, a concave portion 112 adjacent to convex portion 110, and a cone shaped portion 114 extending angularly outward from concave portion 112 and terminating in lower surface 104. Cone shaped portion 114 may form a flare for repelling golf balls during putting practice. Cone shaped portion 114 may include a bevel 116 adjacent to lower surface 104. In one embodiment, an average diameter of member 100 in convex portion 110 may be greater than an average diameter of member 100 in concave portion 112. The increased average diameter of convex portion 110 relative to concave portion 112 may facilitate gripping of member 100 by a golfer. According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, a maximum diameter of cone shaped portion 114 may range from a fraction of the diameter of a golf hole to about the diameter of a golf hole. For example, the maximum diameter of cone shaped portion 114 may range from about one half the diameter of a golf hole to about the diameter of a golf hole. In one exemplary implementation, the maximum diameter of cone shaped portion 114 may be about 2 and 1/8 inches, which is about one half the diameter of a golf hole, which is 4.25 inches according to United States and international golfing standards.

In the illustrated example, the slope of cone shaped portion 114 is substantially constant. This substantially constant slope forms a flange or flare for repelling golf balls during putting practice. For example, when a golfer putts multiple balls at member 100, the balls will roll over bevel 116, travel up cone shaped portion 114 and either travel back down or across the surface of cone- shaped portion 114. The travel across or back down the surface of cone- shaped portion 114 will cause the ball to be repelled away from member 100. As a result, a golfer can putt multiple balls at member 100 without retrieving the balls because a ball from one putt will not obstruct a subsequent putt. Although in the example illustrated in Figure 1 , sidewall 106 is continuous, the subject matter described herein is not limited to providing a continuous sidewall 106. For example, sidewall 106 may be multifaceted.

In Figure 1 , visual target 108 is located substantially in concave portion 112. Locating target 108 in concave portion 112 may be desirable because an average diameter of concave portion 112 is lower than that of the remaining diameter formed by sidewall 106. Locating a visual target 108 in a region of lower average diameter facilitates focusing on visual target 108. in addition, although in the example illustrated in Figure 1 , only a single visual target 108 is illustrated, visual targets 108 may be located on opposing sides of sidewall 106. For example, sidewall 106 may include two visual targets located on opposite sides of sidewall 106 to facilitate orientation of a target within the view of a golfer during putting practice.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a golf putting practice device according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein. In Figure 2, upper surface 102 is substantially flat for receiving a logo 200, which, in the illustrated example, is the word "LOGO" to indicate that any suitable logo may be placed on upper surface 102 to market a product, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers at a golf event. An exemplary method for marketing a product, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers at a golf event will be described in more detail below.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of member 100 and a golf ball 300 located on a putting surface 302. In order to use member 100 for practicing putting, a golfer may place member 100 on a putting surface, such as a green or carpet. The golfer may then putt multiple balls 300 towards member 100 by visually focusing on target 108, adjusting the angle of the putter blade based on the direction of focus, returning to focus on the ball, and then completing the putt by impacting the ball with the blade so that the ball travels in the direction of focus of target 108. The balls will roll up and either back down or across cone- shaped portion 114 of sidewall 106 and be repelled away from member 100. When the golfer completes putting practice, the golfer can easily grip member 100 via convex portion 110 and concave portion 112 and lift member 100 from putting surface 302. Thus, convex portion 110 and concave portion 112 provide an ergonomic design that increases the portability of member 100.

The subject matter described herein also includes methods for practicing putting using a golf putting practice device, such as member 100 illustrated in Figures 1-3. For example, one method for practicing golf putting includes placing, on a putting surface, a substantially bell shaped member 100 having an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104 for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall 106 joining the upper and lower surfaces 102 and 104 and configured to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice. Member 100 may further include at least one visual target 108 located in or on the at least one sidewall 106 for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice. The method further includes visually focusing on the at least one visual target 108 and putting a golf ball at the substantially bell shaped member 100 in a direction corresponding to the focusing. According to yet another aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for practicing golf putting, the method includes placing, on a putting surface, a member 100 having an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104 for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall 106 joining the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one sidewall 106 being positioned to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice, the at least one sidewall 106 forming a convex portion 110 adjacent to the upper surface 102, the at least one sidewall 106 forming a concave portion 112 adjacent to the convex portion 110, and the at least one sidewall 106 forming a cone shaped portion 114 extending angularly outward from the concave portion 112 and terminating in the lower surface 104. The method further includes putting a golf ball at the member.

As stated above, a golf putting practice device may be used to market a product, a service, an entity or event to golfers. Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for marketing a product, a service, an entity, or an event to golfers. Referring to Figure 4, in block 400, a logo for an entity, a product, a service, or an event is placed on each of a plurality of golf putting practice devices, each including a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces and being positioned to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice. The logo may be a company logo, a college or university logo, a sports organization or team logo, a product or service logo, a geographic logo, an event logo, etc. The logo may be placed on upper surface 102 of member 100 illustrated in Figures 1-3 above. In an alternate implementation where a separate visual target is not provided, the logo may be used as visual target 108 and located in or on concave portion 112 of sidewall 106. In such an implementation, the logo may also be included on upper surface 102 or may be omitted from upper surface 102. In block 402, the golf putting practice device is distributed to golfers.

Distributing the golf putting practice device to golfers may include distributing the device to golfers through any suitable distribution channel. For example, the golf putting practice device may be distributed at registration for a golf event without charge to golfers. Distributing the device without charge means that substantially all of the golfers in the golf event will receive a golf putting practice device and will likely keep the golf putting practice device. In addition, unlike disposable media, such as golf balls or articles of clothing that can be branded with a logo at a golf event, a golf putting practice device is more likely to be kept by a golfer and repeatedly used for putting practice. In another example, a university, a sports team, or other organization may sell golf putting practice devices branded with their respective logos over the Internet or in a brick and mortar retail store.

It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosed subject matter may be changed without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A golf putting practice device comprising: a substantially bell shaped member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces and configured to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice; and at least one visual target located in or on the sidewall for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.

2. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one sidewall forms a flange adjacent to the lower surface for repelling golf balls away from the sidewall.

3. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one sidewall includes a convex portion adjacent to the upper surface and a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion, wherein the combination of the concave and convex portions form a grip for a golfer to grip the substantially bell shaped member.

4. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the upper surface is substantially flat for receiving an advertising logo.

5. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein a maximum diameter enclosed by the sidewall is selected from a value ranging from a value that is substantially less than a diameter of a golf hole to a value that is substantially equal to the diameter of the golf hole.

6. The golf putting practice device of claim 5 wherein the maximum diameter enclosed by the sidewall is equal to about one half of the diameter of the golf hole.

7. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual target comprises two visual targets located in on opposing sides of the at least one sidewall.

8. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual target is located substantially in or on a concave portion of the at least one sidewall.

9. The golf putting practice device of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual target comprises an indicia of at least two dimensions that is visually distinguishable from a remainder of the at least one sidewall.

10. The golf putting practice device of claim 9 wherein the visual target comprises a logo for at least one of an entity, a product, a service, or an event.

11. The golf putting practice device of claim 9 wherein the at least one visual target includes a circle.

12. A golf putting practice device comprising: a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one sidewall being positioned to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice; the at least one sidewall forming a convex portion adjacent to the upper surface; the at least one sidewall forming a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion; and the at least one sidewall forming a cone shaped portion extending angularly outward from the concave portion and terminating in the lower surface.

13. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 wherein the upper surface is substantially flat for receiving an advertising logo.

14. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 comprising at least one visual target located substantially in or on the concave portion.

15. The golf putting practice device of claim 14 wherein the visual target comprises a logo for at least one of an entity, a product, a service, or an event.

16. The golf putting practice device of claim 14 wherein the at least one visual target includes a circle.

17. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 wherein the cone shaped portion has a substantially constant slope.

18. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 wherein an average diameter of the convex portion is greater than an average diameter of the concave portion.

19. The golf putting practice device of claim 12 wherein a maximum diameter of the cone shaped portion is selected from a value ranging from a value that is substantially less than a diameter of a golf hole to a value that is substantially equal to a diameter of a golf hole.

20. The golf putting practice device of claim 19 wherein the maximum diameter of the cone shaped portion is equal to a value that is about one half of the diameter of a golf hole.

21. A method for practicing golf putting, the method comprising: placing, on a putting surface, a substantially bell shaped member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces and configured to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice and at least one visual target located in or on the sidewall for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice; and visually focusing on the at least one visual target and putting a golf ball at the substantially bell shaped member in a direction corresponding to the focusing.

22. A method for practicing golf putting, the method comprising: placing, on a putting surface, a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on the putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one sidewall being positioned to receive impact from golf balls during putting practice, the at least one sidewall forming a convex portion adjacent to the upper surface, the at least one sidewall forming a concave portion adjacent to the convex portion, and the at least one sidewall forming a cone shaped portion extending angularly outward from the concave portion and terminating in the lower surface; and putting a golf ball at the member.

23. A method of advertising at least one of an entity, a product, a service, or an event to golfers, the method comprising: placing logos for an entity, a product, a service, or an event on each of a plurality of golf putting practice devices, each golf putting practice device comprising a member having an upper surface, a lower surface for resting on a putting surface, and at least one sidewall joining the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one sidewall being positioned to receive contact from golf balls during putting practice; and distributing a plurality of the golf putting practice devices having the logos to golfers.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the golf putting practice device comprises a substantially bell shaped member having a visual target located in or on the sidewall.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein placing the logos on each of the golf putting practice devices includes placing the logo on at least one of the sidewall and the upper surface of each golf putting practice device.