Ball mark repair tool and method for repairing a ball mark

Abstract

The present invention discloses an improved ball mark repair tool and method that quickly and easily repairs ball mark indentations in golf course greens One embodiment of a tool for repairing ball marks according to the present invention, comprises a body and a corkscrew housed within and extendible from the body. The corkscrew turns when extending from the body to turn into a ball mark indentation and raise the indentation. One embodiment of a method for repairing a ball mark indentation according to the present invention, comprises driving a corkscrew into the ball mark indentation area while the corkscrew is turning. The corkscrew is then turned to allow the spiral of the corkscrew to pull up the soil and turf in the indentation. The turning of the corkscrew is then reversed to withdraw the corkscrew from the indentation.

1 . A tool for repairing ball marks on golf course greens, comprising: 
 a body; and    a corkscrew housed within and extendible from said body, said corkscrew turning when extending from said body to turn into a ball mark indentation and raise said indentation to repair said indentation.    
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said body is cylindrical and elongated, said corkscrew extending from one end of said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle mounted on and capable of sliding on said cylindrical body, the sliding of said handle in one direction causing said corkscrew to turn in one direction and extend from an end of said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the sliding of said handle the other direction causes the corkscrew to turn in the opposite direction and retract into said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein said handle compresses a spring when sliding to extend said corkscrew, said spring biasing said handle to slide back and retract said corkscrew in said body.  
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said corkscrew turns into the ball mark indentation as it extends from said body, said corkscrew continuing to turn after it is fully extended to raise the indentation to the level of the surrounding green.  
     
     
         7 . A tool for repairing ball mark indentations on golf course greens, comprising: 
 a cylindrical body;    a handle mounted at one end of said cylindrical body;    a base mounted to the end of said cylindrical body opposite said handle, said cylindrical body vertically arranged with said base at the bottom of said body over the ball mark indentation and said handle at the top of said body; and    a corkscrew arranged in said base, said handle being operable to cause said corkscrew to rotate and extend from said base to turn into and raise the ball mark indentation.    
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein said handle is capable of sliding along said cylindrical body to cause said corkscrew to extend from and retract into said base.  
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein said base is capable of sliding along said cylindrical body, said corkscrew extending from said base when said base slides up said cylindrical body and retracts into said base when said base slides down said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein said base slides up said cylindrical body when said handle slides down said cylindrical body and said base sliding down said cylindrical body when said handle slides up said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a first spring on said cylindrical body, the sliding of said handle down said body compressing said first spring, said first spring biasing said handle up said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 9 , further comprising a second spring on said cylindrical body, the sliding of said base up said cylindrical body compressing said second spring, said second spring biasing said handle down said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 7 , further comprising a helical shaft arranged within said body and engaged by said handle, the operation of said handle causing said helical shaft to rotate and causes said corkscrew to rotate.  
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein the length of said handle is extendible.  
     
     
         15 . A method for repairing a ball mark indentation, comprising: 
 driving a corkscrew into the ball mark indentation area while said corkscrew is turning;    turning said corkscrew to allow the spiral of said corkscrew to pull up the soil and turf in said indentation to repair said indentation; and    reversing the turning of said corkscrew to withdraw said corkscrew from said indentation area.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said corkscrew is arranged at the end of a body and said body further comprises a handle operable to drive and turn said corkscrew.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said corkscrew is driven and turned into the indentation by sliding said handle along said body in one direction and said corkscrew is withdrawn from said indentation by sliding said handle the opposite direction.  
     
     
         18 . A hand tool, comprising: 
 a body arranged over an area of turf and soil; and    a corkscrew housed within and extendible from said body, said corkscrew turning when extending from said body to turn into the turf and soil beneath said body, said corkscrew turning further to raise the turf and soil beneath said body.    
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle mounted on and capable of sliding on said cylindrical body, the sliding of said handle in one direction causing said corkscrew to turn in one direction and extend from an end of said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 19 , wherein the sliding of said handle the other direction causes the corkscrew to turn in the opposite direction and retract into said cylindrical body.