Handheld device for determining golf ball trajectory for putt of chip shot and method therefor

Abstract

A handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot includes a generally planar base member and a pair of elongated members each having a first end thereof secured to and extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the base member in a V-shaped arrangement. A concave portion is formed in a bottom of the V-shaped arrangement for operable alignment with the golf ball when the pair of elongated members are positioned in a vertical plane. The user squats or kneels behind the golf ball in line with the hole and positions the device so that the golf ball is aligned with the concave portion and is disposed intermediate the pair of elongated members in order to determine the condition of the green and desired ball trajectory.

1 . A handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot, said device comprising:
 (a) a generally planar base member having a predetermined shape;   (b) a pair of elongated members each having a first end thereof secured to and extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of said base member in a V-shaped arrangement; and   (c) a concave portion formed in a bottom of said V-shaped arrangement for operable alignment with the golf ball when said pair of elongated members are positioned in a vertical plane.   
   
   
       2 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined shape of said base member includes a round disk having each of a predetermined diameter and a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
       3 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined diameter is about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
       4 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined thickness is about 0.125 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said peripheral edge of said base member includes at least one chamfer. 
   
   
       6 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said each elongated member is formed integral with said base member. 
   
   
       7 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first ends of said pair of elongated members are spaced apart at about 0.25 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein opposed second ends of said pair of elongated members are spaced apart at about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein opposed second end of said each elongated member is tapered to a generally sharp point for aiding in repairing divots formed during putting. 
   
   
       10 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device includes a magnetic means disposed on and secured to said base member for releaseably attaching a golf ball marker thereto. 
   
   
       11 . The device, according to  claim 10 , wherein an outer surface of said magnetic means is generally flush with a surface of said base member. 
   
   
       12 . The device, according to  claim 11 , wherein said device further includes a grip means formed on said surface for facilitating handling of said device during use. 
   
   
       13 . The device, according to  claim 12 , wherein said grip means includes a plurality of projections or depressions. 
   
   
       14 . The device, according to  claim 10 , wherein said device further includes a golf ball marker releaseably attached to said base member. 
   
   
       15 . The device, according to  claim 10 , wherein said golf ball marker includes a grip means formed on one surface thereof for facilitating gripping of said ball marker and further for facilitating gripping of said device having said golf ball marker being attached thereto. 
   
   
       16 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device includes a clip means disposed on and secured to said base member for releaseably securing said device to an article of headwear or clothing. 
   
   
       17 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device includes a magnetic means disposed on and secured to one surface of said base member for releaseably attaching a golf ball marker thereto and a clip means disposed on and secured to an opposed surface of said base member for releaseably securing said device to an article of headwear or clothing. 
   
   
       18 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is manufactured from one of metal, engineered plastic, wood and various combinations thereof. 
   
   
       19 . A method of determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) using a handheld device including a base member, a pair of elongated members each having one end thereof secured to and extending outwardly from said base member in a V-shaped arrangement and a concave portion formed in a bottom of said V-shaped arrangement;   (b) squatting or kneeling, by the user of said device, at a first predetermined distance behind said golf ball and in alignment with said hole;   (c) positioning said pair of elongated members in a vertical plane;   (d) positioning a dominant eye of said user at a second predetermined distance from said device;   (e) aligning said concave portion with said golf ball;   (f) using a space formed internal to said pair of elongated members for determining condition of a green; and   (g) using said green condition to select said golf ball trajectory.   
   
   
       20 . A golf ball marker for use with a device for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot, said golf ball marker being formed from a round generally thin metallic material which is capable of being magnetically and releaseably attached to a magnet member disposed within said device, said golf ball marker having a grip means formed on one surface thereof for facilitating handling of said ball marker and further for facilitating handling of said device having said golf ball marker being attached thereto.