Ball mark and method of using the same

Abstract

A ball mark includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is generally non planar with respect to the first portion and when the first portion is disposed on a putting surface, the second portion extends above the first portion to more readily enable a player to view the ball mark on the putting surface for purposes of aligning one's putt and to aid in avoiding walking in one's line to a hole. The first portion and the second portion are movably associated with each other and can move in and out of a generally common plane.

1 . A ball mark, which includes:
 a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is movably associated with said first portion such that said second portion can move in and out of a generally shared common plane with said first portion such that when said second portion is out of a common plane with said first portion and said first portion is disposed on a putting surface, said second portion extends above said first portion to more readily enable a player to view said ball mark on the putting surface for purposes of aligning one's putt and to aid in avoiding walking in one's line to a hole.   
   
   
       2 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , wherein when said portions are in a common plane and placed on a putting surface, said ball mark permits a golf ball to roll over the ball mark without substantially affecting a path of the golf ball. 
   
   
       3 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , wherein at least said second portion includes a contrasting colored surface to that of the putting surface to aid visibility thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are connected in a manner to permit generally co-planar positioning thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , which includes means for movably retaining said first portion to said second portion. 
   
   
       6 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is pivotally connected to said first portion to permit said portions to move from a generally co-planar position to an angled position. 
   
   
       7 . The ball mark of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is pivotally connected to said first portion to permit said portions to move from a generally co-planar position to an to a generally parallel position with respect to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The ball mark of  claim 7 , such that when said portions are in said generally parallel positions said ball mark portions form a clip to enable removable connection to an article of clothing. 
   
   
       9 . A method of using a ball mark, which includes the steps of:
 (a) employing a mark having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is movably associated with said first portion such that said second portion can move in and out of a generally co-planar or parallel relationship with respect to said first portion such that when said second portion is non-planar with respect to said first portion and said first portion is disposed on a putting surface, said second portion extends above said first portion to more readily enable a player to view said ball mark on the putting surface for purposes of aligning one's putt and to aid in avoiding walking in one's line to a hole; and   (b) placing said mark on the putting surface adjacent a ball to mark location thereof and enable removing one's ball from the putting surface.   
   
   
       10 . The method of according to  claim 9 , which further includes the step of actuating said second portion into a non-planar relation with respect to said first portion. 
   
   
       11 . The method of according to  claim 9 , which further includes the step of actuating said second portion with respect to said first portion such that said portions form a removable clip for attachment to an article of clothing. 
   
   
       12 . A ball mark, which includes:
 a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is relatively smaller than said first portion and is generally non planar with said first portion when said first portion is disposed on a putting surface, said second portion extends above said first portion to more readily enable a player to view said ball mark on the putting surface for purposes of aligning one's putt and to aid in avoiding walking in one's line to a hole.   
   
   
       13 . The ball mark of  claim 12 , wherein at least said second portion includes a contrasting colored surface to that of the putting surface to aid visibility thereof.