Golf ball retrieval and positioning system

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved golf ball retrieval and positioning device. Unlike other anti-bend golf products, the golf ball retrieval and positioning system of various embodiments of the present invention includes a golf ball positioning device and a golf ball retrieval device that also functions as a base for supporting a golf ball in a teeing position. The components of the present invention are modular and interface with an existing golf club through a hole that exists in the end of a golf club grip. As a result, the present invention provides an improved system for teeing and retrieving golf balls without having to bend over. The system is inexpensive, easily portable, and non-damaging to the golf club.

1 . A turf repair tool that is adapted for use with a golf club having a golf grip that defines a golf grip hole, the turf repair tool comprising: 
 a base portion defining an interface portion that is sized to be slidably received within the golf grip hole;    a hook and loop fabric having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is affixed to the base portion and the second part is affixed to the golf grip for further securing the turf repair tool to the golf grip;    a lever portion extending substantially perpendicular from the base portion, wherein the lever portion is structured to contact at least a portion of the golf grip; and    a finger portion extending from the base portion, wherein the finger portion is structured to penetrate a portion of turf.    
   
   
       2 . The turf repair tool of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portion defines at least one finger structured to penetrate the portion of turf.  
   
   
       3 . The turf repair tool of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portion defines three fingers that are structured to penetrate the portion of turf.  
   
   
       4 . The turf repair tool of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portion defines at least one finger having a curved portion thereof.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A turf repair tool that is adapted for use with a golf club having a golf grip, the turf repair tool comprising: 
 a base portion structured for positioning adjacent the golf grip;    a hook and loop fabric affixed to the turf repair tool, wherein the hook and loop fabric is structured for removably securing the turf repair tool to the golf grip;    a lever portion extending from base portion, wherein the lever portion is structured to contact at least a portion of the golf grip; and    a finger portion extending from the base portion, wherein the finger portion is structured to penetrate a portion of turf.    
   
   
       7 . The turf repair tool of  claim 6 , wherein the hook and loop fabric comprises first and second parts, and wherein the first part of the hook and loop fabric is affixed to the turf repair tool and the second part of the hook and loop fabric is affixed to the golf grip.  
   
   
       8 . The turf repair tool of  claim 6 , wherein the hook and loop fabric comprises a strap defining a hook surface side and a loop surface side, wherein the hook and loop fabric is affixed to the turf repair tool such that strap may be wrapped about the golf grip such that the hook surface side at least partially overlaps the loop surface side thereby removably securing the turf repair tool to the golf grip.  
   
   
       9 . A golf accessory system that is adapted for use with a golf club having a golf grip that defines a golf grip hole, the golf accessory system comprising: 
 a turf repair tool comprising: 
 a base portion defining an interface portion that is sized to be slidably received within the golf grip hole;  
 a hook and loop fabric having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is affixed to the base portion and the second part is affixed to the golf grip for further securing the turf repair tool to the golf grip;  
 a lever portion extending substantially perpendicular from the base portion, wherein the lever portion is structured to contact at least a portion of the golf grip; and  
 a finger portion extending from the base portion, wherein the finger portion is structured to penetrate a portion of turf.  
   
   
   
       10 . The golf accessory system of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a positioning device comprising: 
 a cradle portion defining an arcuate cradle body that is adapted to removably receive at least a portion of a golf ball;  
 an interface portion extending from the arcuate cradle body, wherein the interface portion is sized to be slidably received within the golf grip hole; and  
 a hook portion extending from the arcuate cradle body, wherein the hook portion is sized to slideably receive at least a portion of a golf tee.  
   
   
   
       11 . The golf accessory system of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a retrieval and teeing device that is configurable between a retrieval mode and a teeing mode, the retrieval and teeing device comprising: 
 a retrieval portion defining an arcuate retrieval body that is adapted to removably receive at least a portion of the golf ball in the retrieval mode;  
 an interface portion extending from the arcuate retrieval body, wherein the interface portion is sized to be slidably received within the golf grip hole in the retrieval mode; and  
 a teeing portion defining a teeing surface that is adapted to support the golf ball in a teed position and further defining a cavity that is sized to slidably receive the interface portion in the teeing mode.  
   
   
   
       12 . A turf repair tool that is adapted for use with a golf club having a golf grip and an end thereof, the turf repair tool comprising: 
 a base portion adapted to be releasably secured proximate the end of the golf grip;    a hook and loop fabric having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is affixed to the base portion and the second part is affixed to the golf grip for further securing the turf repair tool to the golf grip:    a lever portion extending substantially perpendicular from the base portion, wherein the lever portion is structured to contact at least a portion of the golf grip; and    a finger portion extending from the base portion, wherein the finger portion is structured to penetrate a portion of turf,    wherein the base portion, the lever portion, and the finger portion cooperate to allow a user to manipulate or otherwise repair the portion of turf by manipulating the golf club.