WO2017011856A1

WO2017011856A1 - Projectile feedback device

Info

Publication number: WO2017011856A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/000261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Mason
Original assignee: Philip Mason
Priority date: 2015-07-23
Filing date: 2016-07-22
Publication date: 2017-01-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a projectile feedback device for receiving at least one projectile launched, hit or otherwise despatched from at least one launch area. The projectile feedback device includes a projectile barrier spaced from the launch area, a projectile target and a projectile return arrangement. The barrier at least covers a broad projected area of an arc or beam defining the boundaries within which said projectile is most likely to travel from said launch area toward said projected area. The barrier is adapted to intercept said projectile and retard it from travelling beyond said barrier. The projectile target is one at which to aim said projectile within said projected area. The projectile return arrangement returns one of said projectiles that reaches said projectile target to a location at or close to said launch area.

Description

PROJECTILE FEEDBACK DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a projectile feedback device. More particularly, this invention relates to golf/feedback device.

BACKGROUND ART

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion does not relate, to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

In the following discussion of projectile feedback devices, specific reference to devices is made in which the projectile or object is a sporting ball, such as a golf, soccer, cricket or baseball or other similar sporting projectile, such as a hockey puck.

Sporting devices have been described in which a ball or other sporting projectile is launched towards a target, which might comprise a net, solid wall, temporary stand and the like. However, such structures merely provide a target or, alternatively, a barrier at which to aim the sporting projectile or with the purpose of merely retarding its projectory beyond the barrier.

An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a projectile feedback device for receiving at least one projectile launched, hit or otherwise despatched from at least one launch area, said projectile feedback device including: a projectile barrier spaced from the launch area, the barrier at least covering a broad protected area of an arc or beam defining the boundaries within which the projectile is most likely to travel from the launch area towards the projected area, the barrier adapted to intercept the projectile and retard it from travelling beyond the barrier; a projectile target at which to aim the projectile within the projected area, a projectile that reaches the projectile target being a target reaching projectile and a projectile return arrangement that returns the target reaching projectile to a return location at or close to the launch area.

In another aspect, the invention provides a golf/feedback device for receiving at least one projectile in the form of a golf ball despatched from a launch area comprising a golf tee, golf ball support or tee-off pad, the golf/feedback device including: a golf ball barrier spaced from the launch area, the barrier at least covering a broad projected area of an arc or beam defining the boundaries within which the golf ball is most likely to travel from the launch area toward the protected area, the barrier adapted to intercept the golf ball and retard it from travelling beyond the barrier; a golf ball target at which to aim the golf ball within the projected area, a golf ball that reaches the golf ball target being a target reaching golf ball; and a golf ball return arrangement that returns the target reaching golf ball to a return location at or close to the launch area, wherein the golf ball return arrangement comprises a golf ball guide to convey the target reaching golf ball back to the return location area using only the momentum of the target reaching golf ball obtained from the despatch of the golf ball from the launch area toward the golf ball target by travelling through at least one pathway provided by the golf ball guide.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a feedback device for receiving a golf ball despatched from a designated launch area by a selected category and type of golf club, the feedback device including:

an adjustable golf ball target at which to aim the golf ball; wherein the golf ball target forms an integral part of or is mounted to an assembly adapted to move the golf ball target to a designated position which corresponds to the selected category and type of golf club so as to facilitate capturing of a target reaching golf ball.

The launch area may include a golf mat and a golf tee mat. The golf tee mat is preferred to be arranged and configured so as to be fixed and unmovable with respect to the golf mat.

Preferably, the assembly includes a slidable bracket suspended on one or more rails. More preferably, the slidable bracket is capable of moving the golf ball target from one position to another between uses or, alternatively during use providing a moving target.

Preferably, the assembly is calibrated to be placed at multiple designated positions so as to suit various categories and types of golf clubs. More preferably, the categories clubs include woods, irons and putters. Even more preferably, the types of irons range from 1-iron to 9-iron.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a golf ball return arrangement adapted to return the target reaching golf ball to a return location at or close to the launch area.

Preferably, the golf ball target is a receiving aperture located within the confines of a barrier spaced from the launch area. The receiving aperture is frusto-conically shaped having a wider diameter at its mouth than the diameter of the golf ball. More preferably, the receiving aperture includes an absorbent adapted in use to absorb the impact of the despatched golf ball. The absorbent is preferred to be made of impact-absorbing rubber.

The launch area may be a region or general area. A first operator may be located at the launch area in use. There may be one or more despatch points or potential despatch points for despatching the projectile within the launch area. The launch area may include a platform, a projectile stand (such as for tee-ball), pad or other device adapted to secure the projectile against inadvertent movement, preferably whilst not substantially impeding the projectile for the purposes of despatch. The launch area may include tee supports, cups, frangible supports or clamps or engagement means adapted to disengage on impact or despatch and permit reengagement for the next use.

The projectile may be a moving object delivered to the launch area by a projectile launcher or second operator. For example, the projectile launcher may be an air or spring cannon adapted to deliver a shuttle cock, baseball, tennis ball or cricket ball to the launch area to provide a moving target for the operator to despatch towards to the barrier with the aim of hitting the projectile target.

The launch area may be elevated and adapted to support the projectile on a stand, suspension device or track. The launch area may be a launch pad located at ground level. The launch area may be relocatable to different locations and/or elevations relative to the barrier.

The barrier may include a flexible material that does not breach when impacted by the projectile. The flexible material may be a net or web. The flexible material may be extended between one or more frame members of a frame. The net may be made of nylon, polyester or some other wound thread, such as that used in tennis, volley ball, badminton and soccer nets. The flexible material is preferable resilient, water proof and of fine mesh to reduce wind resistance. The flexible material may comprise a woven or sheet material, or may comprise spun bonded plastics material or a composite of two or more different types of materials. Alternatively, the barrier may include a solid material, such as a panel or wall. In most applications, the barrier is preferably not a solid surface adapted to rebound the projectile by bouncing off the barrier surface, for the purposes of safety to the operator. However, in other applications, such as using a tennis ball, a solid barrier may be advantageous.

The barrier may extend in a single general plane inclined towards the launch area. Preferably, the barrier generally faces the launch area at an angle generally normal to the general pathway the projectile follows immediately prior to reaching the barrier. The barrier may extend in multiple planes. For example, the barrier may comprise panels or sections facing the launch area at different angles relative to each other to best face the launch area and capture stray projectiles. The barrier may extend in a general plane inclined relative to the vertical and inclined to face towards the launch area. The barrier is preferred to follow the contour of an arc. The barrier may have a concave form facing the launch area. The concave form may be held by a series of flexed or curved rods, slats or batons.

The flexible material may comprise a rectangular, circular, generally rectangular and round cornered, triangular, polygonal or oval shaped frame. The device may include at least one support for the frame extending between the frame and a ground or floor surface. The at least one support may extend diagonally from a mounting point at or near the top of the frame to a location in or near the launch area. The at least one support may include a pair of supports that extend parallel to each other and diagonally from a mounting point at or near the top of the frame to locations in, towards, or near or either side of the launch area. The at least one support may include a pair of supports that extend parallel to each other and diagonally from a mounting point at or near the top of the frame to locations in, towards, near or either side of the launch area. The at least one support may include a pair of struts capable of withstanding minor axial compression and greater tensile forces compensate for or withstand the forces associated with the impact of the projectile on the barrier, as well as other incidental forces, such as wind gusts and general use. The at least one support may include a tensioned member. The tensioned member may be sprung, optionally having an axially compressible or tensioning spring, and/or may be tightenable like a tent guy rope or by using a turn buckle mechanism. The pair of supports may provide a visual guide for the operator looking towards the barrier, for example to provide a corridor within which to aim the projectile. The pair of supports may converge towards the target or may be parallel, acting as a visual guide by virtue of the visual perspective of the operator.

The projectile target may be a solid panel, a soft and flexible flap or an aperture, such as an opening, or a tube or funnel mouth. Preferably, the projectile target is a receiving aperture is located within the confines of the barrier.

The projectile return arrangement may include a projectile guide. The projectile guide may be in the form of a tube, conduit, rail, track or chute that receives the projectile after it travels through the receiving aperture. The projectile guide may have angular walls to guide the projectile along the projectile guide's pathway. The projectile guide preferably includes a curved guide or tube. The curved guide or tube may use the forward momentum of the projectile launched or despatched toward the barrier to convey the projectile off, through or along the projectile return arrangement to return the projectile to the location at or close to the launch area. The receiving aperture may be situated centrally at or near the face of the barrier. The curved guide or tube may extend behind the barrier and follow an arc back towards the rear face of the barrier at a lower position. The receiving aperture may be frusto-conical in shape, having a wider diameter at its mouth than the diameter of the projectile guide. The projectile guide may terminate in a delivery outlet at or near a base position of the barrier or mav extend towards or to the launch area. The delivery outlet may be the terminal end of the projectile guide. The projectile guide may be curved in a loop that turns a component of the forward momentum of the projectile heading towards the barrier into return momentum substantially in the reverse direction to the forward momentum as it travels via the projectile guide.

The projectile may be a round, spherical, oval, elliptical sporting object. The projectile may be of the type that does not present a danger if returned gently towards the operator. For example, the sporting object may be a hockey puck, shuttle cock, football, tennis ball, golf ball, cricket ball or baseball. Preferably, the projectile is a sporting ball such as a golf ball and the launch area is a golf tee pad or a golf-tee.

The projectile target may be moveable from one position to another between uses or, alternatively during use to provide a moving target. Preferably, the projectile target, and more particularly, the projectile guide is mounted on a track or rod. The track or rod may have a curve that has a radius that is the function of the distance between the launch pad and the projectile target. The projectile target may be tilted to face the launch pad squarely without substantial inclination. The projectile guide may be flexible, whereby to adapt the radius of its curve to accommodate variable positions of the projectile target. Preferably, the projectile target is mounted in a vertical, diagonal, horizontal or curved slot within which the projectile target may be moved to assume different set positions. The slot may have tracks or rails along its sides. The projectile guide may be fixed at a position relative to the track, rail or rod by cam or screw clamps or any other suitable, preferably releasable, fixing means.

The projectile target may be adjustable by a variety of mechanisms, including an optionally remotely controllable driven means, such as a solenoid or rack and pinion means. Preferably the projectile target is adjusted by means of a pulley system. The pulley system may be manually adjustable. The pulley system may be connected by cable to an operating lever or slide mechanism. The operating mechanism may include a slide handle that is adapted to reciprocally slide along a side rail. The operating mechanism may include a winch or winding mechanism.

The at least one launch area may be a region or general area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf ball feedback device according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a right hand side view of the golf ball feedback device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a left hand side view of the golf ball feedback device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the golf ball feedback device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pulley mechanism forming part of the feedback device of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one component of the pulley mechanism shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a front view of the handle slide of the pulley mechanism shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the feedback device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the frusto-conical mouth of the feedback device of Figure 8 taken along A-A;

Figure 9 is a schematic front view of the front net and panel into which the frusto-conical mouth of Figure 8 is mounted;

Figure 10 is a front elevation view of showing the corner covers forming part of the enclosure shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. Shown in Figure 1 is a golf feedback device 10. The device 10 is collapsible and may be erected on any flat ground or floor surface and, when erected, defines a playing zone 20 having a footprint defined by the boundaries of the feedback device 10. The playing zone 20 comprises a flexible mat, such as rubberised carpet or synthetic grass having a low roll resistance and uniform roll for golf balls whereby to simulate a typical golf green. At a launch end 21 of the playing zone 20 is a launch pad 22 comprising a foot mat 23 and ball mat 25 located centrally near the launch end 21 extending around the perimeter of the playing zone 20.

The device 10 further includes a collapsible frame 40 having a pair of parallel rear, upright pillars 41 , an upper horizontal beam 42 extending between the pillars 41 and a pair of parallel, elongate rods 43 extending from the upper most apex of the frame 44 corresponding to the upper terminal ends of the pillars 41. Pillar 42 is coupled with the respective pillars 41 at opposite ends. The collapsible frame 40 also has diagonal frame members 43 which are coupled to the horizontal beam 42 respectively and extend parallel to each other down to the end corners 27 at the launch end 21. The frame 40 may further comprise floor member 45 forming a stiffening and flattening function around the periphery of the floor mat 24. The floor member 45 is not adhered to the floor mat 24. The netting 31 has loops sewn along its edge to form tubular seams. The frame members 41,42,43,46,47 slide though the tubular seams and are connected together by 90° elbows 11, for example. The elbows 11 may be fixed by any suitable means known to the skilled person, plastic Philmac™ locking elbows. The floor mat 24 is weighted down by the frame 40 which is positioned to sit on top of the floor mat 24. Alternatively, the floor mat 24 sits in between the bottom floor frame members 46,47. The collapsible frame 40 may be joined by telescoping and male and female parts, similar to tent pole and structural components. Where the projectile is heavier than a tennis ball or golf ball, for example, the frame members may be engineered for greater strength to withstand the impact forces associated with such heavier objects such as footballs and basketballs.

Please note that in Figure 1, side nets 31b and 31c extending along the long sides 46, the rear pillars 41 and the diagonal struts 43. Together with the rear net 31 a extending substantially between a rear ground frame member 47, the parallel pair of support pillars 41 and the rear horizontal beam 42, the side nets 3 lb, 3 lc form a barrier in the form of netting 31. The nets 3 la, 3 lb and 3 lc are not shown for the sake of clarity in Figure 1. The device 10 includes a golf ball return arrangement comprising a conical mouth 52, an intermediate elongate flexible tube and a lower linear delivery chute 53. The mouth 52 is mounted to a slide assembly bracket 56 suspended on curved rails 57. The mouth 52 moves up and down a vertical slot 55 extending vertically and centrally in the rear net 31a. A detachable cover 3 Id (see Figure 1) prevents any projectiles from escaping through the slot 55.

The detachable front cover 3 Id defines an opening or mouth 52. The mouth 52 in this embodiment is made of impact rubber to deflect damage and wear and tear sustained by the ball repeatedly being targeted at the mouth 52. The mouth 52 is mounted to the detachable front cover 31 d via a ring 54a. The mouth 52 is mounted to cone 54, which is mounted on the slidable bracket 56 which, in turn, is slideably mounted to a pair of parallel curved rails 57 rigidly mounted to the central frame. A central cover netting 31 d is provided extending between cable 58 and cord hooks 58a. The cover netting 3 Id has loops sewn along its edges to form a tubular seam, The cable 58 goes through the seams and is attached to the upper horizontal beam 42 and the lower rear ground frame member 47. Additional Velcro attachment is provided at the ends of cover netting 3 Id facilitating securement of the covering netting 3 Id to the upper horizontal beam 42 and the lower rear ground frame member 47, respectively.

As shown in Figure 4, the slide assembly bracket 56 is adjustable by a pulley system by a slidable handle mechanism 70 mounted to the right hand side diagonal frame rod 43. The frusto -conical mouth 52 is positioned at different heights and angles, depending on the user's preferences. The curved rails are radiused to ensure that the mouth 52 is generally axially aligned in line with the projectory that the projectile will take when accurately launched from the ball pad 25 towards the target mouth 52.

At the delivery end of the chute 51 just before the box 59 is a slideable tube 67 providing a closure for the opening 68 which provides an access to the delivered balls 69 in the chute 5. As best shown in Figure 8a, the tube 67, is slidably mounted and movable so as to close or open the opening 68 to the slot 68 to retrieve golf balls 69 that have come to rest against a ball stop 59a. The ball stop 59a comprises an inclined wall or barrier which may be located in the ball stop box 59.

In use, a left or right handed operator will adjust the foot mat 23 for a left-or right hand operator position. The operator will then stand on the foot mat 23 with a numbered golf club relating to the high adjustment for that club and place a golf ball on the ball pad 25. If the operator swings inaccurately, the ball should harmlessly hit the netting 31 and drop to the ground somewhere on the floor mat 24. However, if the operator's aim is accurate and the ball is struck so that it reaches and enters the mouth 52, the ball will continue to travel through the ball guide 51, out of the delivery outlet 53 and into the ball stop box 59, ready to be conveniently retrieved by the operator for another swing. The convenient return of the ball following an accurate strike is reward for the operator.

The device 10 is designed to accommodate a right or left handed operator. It should be noted that if the golf ball is teed up too high or wrong golf club is used, the ball may escape the barrier 31. The device 10 therefore must be used correctly and responsibly to ensure that the risk of injury to operators or people in the vicinity is minimised.

Referring to Figures 4 to5, the pulley mechanism 60 is shown in detail. The pulley mechanism 60 comprises an elongate, flexible cable 61, for example bicycle brake or gear cable, attached centrally to an aperture formed at the upper end of the slidable bracket 56, and extending under tension and against gravity to and through an upper central pulley 62. From there, the cable extends laterally to a pulley guide 63 that feeds the cable 61 into the right hand diagonal bar 43. The cable 61 is ultimately fixed at its remote end to the slidable handle 70, extending through a lower, elongate slot in the bar 43 to the slideable handle 70. By moving the slideable handle 70, up or down the bar 43, the vertical position of the slidable bracket 56 may be adjusted. As the parallel rails 57 are arcuate, the target mouth 52 is always oriented to face in the general direction of the ball launch pad 25.

As best shown in Figure 6, the pulley guide 63 comprises a pair of pulleys 64 or slide guides comprising nut, bolt and washer assemblies 64a that are oriented to direct the line of the cable 61 from a horizontal axis to an axis parallel to that of the diagonal bar 43. The pulley guide 63 is rigidly mounted to the diagonal rod 43. The slidable handle 70 comprises a keyed rod or an incomplete sleeve 71 reciprocally mounted and longitudinally keyed to a longitudinal slot in the diagonal bar 43 to enable the remote end of the cable 61a to travel with the movement of the handle 70. The handle 70 could be substituted with a lever or other mechanism whereby to cause the cable 61 to travel through the pulley mechanism 60, but the slideable handle 70 is preferred.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the horizontal beam 42 uppermost.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

A projectile feedback device for receiving at least one projectile launched, hit or otherwise despatched from at least one launch area, said projectile feedback device including:

a projectile barrier spaced from said launch area, said barrier at least covering a broad projected area of an arc or beam defining the boundaries within which said projectile is most likely to travel from said launch area toward said projected area, said barrier adapted to intercept said projectile and retard it from travelling beyond said barrier;

a projectile target at which to aim said projectile within said projected area; and

a projectile return arrangement that returns one of said projectiles that reaches said projectile target to a location at or close to said launch area.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one launch area is a region or general area where a first operator is located.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 2, wherein said projectile is a moving object delivered to said launch area by a projectile launcher or second operator.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one launch area is elevated and adapted to support said projectile on a stand, suspension device or track .

A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one launch area is a launch pad located at ground level.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 5, wherein said launch pad is relocatable to different locations relative to said barrier.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said barrier includes a flexible material that does not breach when impacted by said projectile.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 7, wherein said barrier comprises a net or web extending between one or more frame members of a frame.

A nroiectile feedback device according to claim 7 or 8. wherein said barrier extends in a single general plane inclined towards said launch area.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said barrier extends in multiple planes, including a general plane inclined relative to the vertical and inclined towards said launch area.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said barrier has a concave form facing said launch area, said concave form held by a series of flexed or curved rods, slats or batons.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 8, wherein said barrier comprises a rectangular frame.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 8, wherein said device includes at least one support for said frame extending between said frame and a ground or floor surface.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 13, wherein at least one said support extends diagonally from a mounting point at or near the top of said frame to a location in or near said launch area.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one support includes a pair of supports that extend parallel to each other and diagonally from a mounting point at or near the top of said frame to locations in, towards, near or either side of said launch area.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 13, wherein said at least one support includes a pair of struts capable of withstanding minor axial compression and greater tensile forces commensurate with the forces associated with the impact of the projectile on said barrier, wind gusts and use.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 8, wherein said at least one support includes a tensioned member.

A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said projectile target is a receiving aperture located within the confines of said barrier.

19. A projectile feedback device according to claim 18, wherein said projectile return arrangement includes a projectile guide in the form of a tube, conduit, rail, track or chute that receives said projectile after it travels through said receiving aperture.

20. A projectile feedback device according to claim 19, wherein said projectile guide comprises a curved guide or tube that uses the forward momentum of said projectile launched or despatched toward said barrier to convey said projectile off, through or along said projectile return arrangement to return said projectile to said location at or close to said launch area.

21. A projectile feedback device according to claim 20, wherein said receiving aperture is situated centrally at or near the face of said barrier and said curved tube extends behind and back to said barrier at a lower position.

22. A projectile feedback device according to claim 19, wherein said receiving aperture is a frusto conical shape having a wider diameter at its mouth than the diameter of said projectile guide.

23. A projectile feedback device according to claim 19, wherein said projectile guide tenninates in a delivery outlet at or near a base position of said barrier.

24. A projectile feedback device according to claim 22, wherein said delivery outlet is the terminal end of said projectile guide being curved in a loop that turns a component of the forward momentum of the said projectile heading towards the barrier into return momentum substantially in the reverse direction to said forward momentum.

25. A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said projectile is a round sporting ball.

26. A projectile feedback device according to claim 1, wherein said projectile is a golf ball and said launch area is a golf tee pad.

27. A golf stroke feedback device for receiving at least one golf ball despatched from a launch area in the form of a golf tee, golf ball support or tee-off pad, said golf stroke feedback device including:

a golf ball barrier spaced from said launch area, said barrier at least covering a broad projected area of an arc or beam defining the boundaries within which said golf ball is most likely to travel from said launch area toward said projected area, said barrier adapted to intercept said golf ball and retard it from travelling beyond said barrier;

a golf ball target at which to aim said golf ball within said projected area; and

a golf ball return arrangement that returns said golf ball that reaches said projectile target to a location at or close to said launch area;

wherein said golf ball return arrangement comprises a golf ball guide to convey said golf ball back to said location at or close to said launch area using only the momentum of said golf ball from the despatch of said golf ball from said launch area toward said barrier and travelling through a pathway defined by the golf ball guide.