Apparatus For Practicing The Golf Putting Stroke

Abstract

A retractable putting line aiming/alignment device inserted into a golf green surface, via a stake assembly, for practicing the game of golf putting stroke is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a housing, simulating a golf ball, which houses an extendable/retractable line mechanism; a stake assembly to secure the housing into position on the putting green; and a corresponding and opposing stake to be inserted into the putting green, to attach the receiving extended line. The apparatus is placed into position on a putting green surface at or near the golf hole and the opposite line end is extended and secured to the opposing stake placed into the putting green at a desired distance from the hole or visa versa. The extendable/retractable line mechanism provides the necessary line tension to prevent the line from sagging when extended. The extended putting line represents the target path or reference for aligning a putter with respect to the target hole enabling the user to enhance the practice of proper alignment through the putting stroke.

1 . A putting line training aid and aiming/alignment device comprising: 
 a) a housing, simulating a golf ball on a golf tee, with an internal extendable/retractable line when extended and attached to the corresponding opposing stake defines a reference swing path to the target hole on the putting green;    b) said housing being staked into positioned on an putting green, said putting green providing a surface for putting a golf ball thereon, said golf hole providing a target for putting thereto;    c) said putting line when extended and attached to said opposing stake, positioned at a user defined position from said housing, provides a reference line above said putting surface to said target hole and thereby offering a reference means defining an optimum swing path of a putt aimed at said target hole.    d) said housing including an internal extendable/retractable line mechanism, the axis of said line when extended and attached to the corresponding opposing stake is in the vertical plane to said target hole on said putting green;    e) said device is lightweight, portable, and easily assembled and disassembled for rapid storage.    
   
   
       2 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said housing stake and opposing stake are placed into said putting green at a depth pre-established by the length of said housing stake and said opposing stake provides stability while in position on said putting green and prevents recoil of said line while in use.  
   
   
       3 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said housing consist of an extendable/retractable mechanism that is permanently affixed to the internal component of said housing. 
 a) said extendable/retractable mechanism is comprised of a spool and spring coil mechanism allowing for consistent extension and retraction of the said line.    b) said extendable/retractable line mechanism provides the necessary line tension to prevent the line from sagging when extended.    c) said extendable/retractable mechanism allows storage of said line internal to said housing.    
   
   
       4 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said extendable/retractable spool and spring coil mechanism comprises a physical line attached to said spool; 
 a) said line is composed from a selection of materials to include string, rope, wire, nylon or plastic.    b) said line extends above the putting green surface between said target hole and said golf ball to be putted creating a reference line to the target hole.    
   
   
       5 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said reference line is formed by extending the extendable/retractable line from the housing at a direction and distance desired by the user.  
   
   
       6 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 5  wherein when extended and attached to said stake provides a reference line to validate the square at impact alignment of the putter club face to the referenced putting line device and target hole.  
   
   
       7 . A putting line aiming/alignment device providing means for practicing proper alignment of a face of a putter club with respect to an optimum swing path of a properly stroked golf ball.  
   
   
       8 . A putting line aiming/alignment device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said device provides a reference line above said putting surface between said target and said golf ball to be putted.  
   
   
       9 . A putting line aiming/alignment device is a lightweight and easily portable device that can be rapidly disassembled, stored and carried from the practice green to the course when a golfer is called to the first tee