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 positioning device that is adapted for use with a golf club having a golf grip that defines a golf grip hole, the positioning device comprising: 
 a cradle portion defining an arcuate body that is adapted to removably receive at least a portion of a golf ball;    an interface portion extending from the arcuate body, wherein the interface portion is sized to be slidably received within the golf grip hole; and    a hook portion extending from the arcuate body, wherein the hook portion is sized to slideably receive at least a portion of a golf tee.    
   
   
       2 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion defines a first end and a second end, and wherein the interface portion extends from the arcuate body proximate the first end and the hook portion extends from the arcuate body proximate the second end.  
   
   
       3 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface portion defines a tapered shape and is sized to produce an interference fit when received in the golf grip hole.  
   
   
       4 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the hook portion defines a hook radius that is sized to receive the golf tee below a widest part thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion defines a radius between 0.55 and 0.84 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion is structured to surround between 55 and 90 percent of the golf ball circumference.  
   
   
       7 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface portion defines a barbed portion that is sized to produce an interference fit when received in the golf grip hole.  
   
   
       8 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning device is at least partially comprised of a formed metal wire.  
   
   
       9 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the hook portion is structured manipulate a golf ball marker.  
   
   
       10 . The positioning device of  claim 9 , wherein the golf ball marker defines an aperture for receiving at least part of the hook portion of the positioning device.  
   
   
       11 . The positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the positioning device is magnetized and wherein the positioning device is therefor adapted to manipulate an at least partially metallic golf ball marker.  
   
   
       12 . A positioning device that is adapted for removable coupling to a golf club proximate a golf grip, the positioning device comprising: 
 a cradle portion defining an arcuate body that is adapted to removably receive at least a portion of a golf ball;    an interface portion extending from the arcuate body, wherein the interface portion is adapted to removably couple the positioning device to the golf club proximate the golf grip; and    a hook portion extending from the arcuate body, wherein the hook portion is sized to slidably receive at least a portion of a golf tee.    
   
   
       13 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion defines a first end and a second end, and wherein the interface portion extends from the arcuate body proximate the first end and the hook portion extends from the arcuate body proximate the second end.  
   
   
       14 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the hook portion defines a hook radius that is sized to receive the golf tee below a widest part thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion defines a radius between 0.55 and 0.84 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the arcuate body of the cradle portion is structured to surround between 55 and 90 percent of the golf ball circumference.  
   
   
       17 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the positioning device is at least partially comprised of a formed metal wire.  
   
   
       18 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the hook portion is structured to manipulate a golf ball marker.  
   
   
       19 . The positioning device of  claim 18 , wherein the golf ball marker defines an aperture for receiving at least part of the hook portion of the positioning device.  
   
   
       20 . 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 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,  
 a cradle interface portion extending from the arcuate cradle body, wherein the cradle 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; and  
   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,  
 a second interface portion extending from the arcuate retrieval body, wherein the second 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 second interface portion in the teeing mode.  
   
   
   
       21 . The golf accessory system of  claim 20 , further comprising: a turf repair tool defining a body portion and a finger portion, wherein at least a part of the body portion is sized to be slidably received into the golf grip hole of the golf grip and wherein the finger portion is structured to penetrate a portion of turf.  
   
   
       22 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the interface portion is sized to be slidably received within a golf grip hole defined by the golf grip.  
   
   
       23 . The positioning device of  claim 22 , wherein the interface portion defines a tapered shape and is sized to produce an interference fit when received in the golf grip hole.  
   
   
       24 . The positioning device of  claim 22 , wherein the interface portion defines a barbed portion that is sized to produce an interference fit when received in the golf grip hole.  
   
   
       25 . The positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the positioning device is magnetized and wherein the positioning device is therefore adapted to manipulate an at least partially metallic golf ball marker.