Golf practice device

Abstract

A golf practice device has a body that includes at least one battery, a display generator that presents a visual or audio display when energized by the battery, and a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit that connects the battery to the display generator when the device is struck by a golf ball. In one embodiment, the bottom of the body is attached to a pin which is inserted into a golf green. In another embodiment, the bottom of the body is made of a material having many small hooks on it so that the body will grasp onto a fabric, such as a carpet. When a golf ball strikes the golf practice device it presents a visual or audio display to the golfer.

1 . a golf practice device comprising a body that contains 
 (A) at least one battery;    (B) a display generator that presents a display when energized by said battery; and    (C) a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit connecting said battery to said display generator when said golf practice device is struck by a golf ball.    
     
     
         2 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.  
     
     
         3 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.  
     
     
         4 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein said display is a sound.  
     
     
         5 . A golf practice device according to  claim 4  wherein said sound is that of a ball falling into a cup.  
     
     
         6 . A golf practice device according to  claim 4  wherein said sound is a human voice.  
     
     
         7 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein said display is a light.  
     
     
         8 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein said sensor switch closes said electrical circuit when said golf practice device is struck by a ball coming from any direction.  
     
     
         9 . A golf practice device according to  claim 8  wherein said sensor switch is a metal spring mounted inside a metal ferrule, so that said metal spring contacts said metal ferrule when said golf practice device is struck by a golf ball.  
     
     
         10 . A golf practice device according to  claim 1  wherein said display generator is an integrated circuit for generating an electrical signal and a speaker for converting said electrical signal into sound.  
     
     
         11 . A method of improving putting accuracy comprising inserting the pin of a golf practice device according to  claim 2  into a putting green and putting golf balls at said golf practice device.  
     
     
         12 . A method of improving putting accuracy comprising placing a golf practice device according to  claim 3  on a carpet and putting golf balls at said golf practice device.  
     
     
         13 . A golf practice device comprising a body containing 
 (A) an on-off switch for turning said device on and off;    (B) at least one battery;    (C) a display generator for generating a sound when energized by said battery; and    (D) a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit connecting said battery to said display generator when said device is struck by a golf ball.    
     
     
         14 . A golf practice device according to  claim 13  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.  
     
     
         15 . A golf practice device according to  claim 13  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.  
     
     
         16 . A method of improving putting accuracy comprising inserting the pin of a golf practice device according to  claim 14  into a putting green, turning on said on-off switch, and putting golf balls at said device.  
     
     
         17 . A method of improving putting accuracy comprising placing a golf practice device according to  claim 15  on a carpet, turning on said on-off switch, and putting golf balls at said device.  
     
     
         18 . A golf practice device comprising a body that contains 
 (A) an on-off switch for turning said device on and off;    (B) at least one battery;    (C) an integrated circuit chip programmed to generate an electrical signal when energized by said battery;    (D) a speaker that generates a sound when energized with said electrical signal;    (E) a sensor switch that comprises a metal spring mounted inside a metal ferrule, where said spring contacts said metal ferrule when said device is struck by a golf ball;    (F) an electrical circuit connecting said battery, said on-off switch, said sensor switch, said integrated circuit chip, and said speaker, whereby said circuit is closed when said on-off switch and said sensor switch are closed.    
     
     
         19 . A golf practice device according to  claim 18  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.  
     
     
         20 . A golf practice device according to  claim 18  wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.