Golf putting practice device, method for practicing putting using same, and method for advertising using same

Abstract

According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a golf putting practice device is provided. The golf putting practice device includes an upper portion for extending from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice. A bottom portion is insertable into a socket of the golf cup. A flange is located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket for preventing the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth. An elongate portion joins the upper portion and the flange and has a diameter less than the diameter of the golf cup. At least one visual target is located in or on the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.

1 . A golf putting practice device for use in conjunction with a golf cup, the golf putting practice device comprising:
 an upper portion for extending upward from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice, a bottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup, a flange being located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configured to prevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth, and a elongate portion for joining the upper portion and the flange and having a lateral dimension less than the diameter of the golf cup; and   at least one visual target located in or on the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice.   
   
   
       2 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper surface is configured for receiving an advertising logo. 
   
   
       3 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one visual target comprises an indicia of at least two dimensions that is visually distinguishable from a remainder of the upper portion and the elongate portion. 
   
   
       4 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the visual target comprises a logo for at least one of an entity, a product, a service, or an event. 
   
   
       5 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one visual target includes a circle. 
   
   
       6 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion comprises an inverted truncated cone shaped portion and wherein the at least one visual target is located on a sidewall of the inverted truncated cone shaped portion. 
   
   
       7 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion comprises an inverted truncated cone shaped portion and wherein the at least one visual target is located on a top-facing surface of the inverted truncated cone shaped portion. 
   
   
       8 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein a difference between the lateral dimension of the elongate portion and a radius of the golf cup is greater than a diameter of the golf ball so that the golf ball will fall into the golf cup after impacting the upper portion. 
   
   
       9 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion forms a flare for directing golf balls downward into the golf cup. 
   
   
       10 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the flange holds the upper portion a consistent height above the putting surface. 
   
   
       11 . The golf cutting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the flange is shaped for retrieval of golf balls from the golf cup. 
   
   
       12 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion protrudes outward from a top of the golf cup. 
   
   
       13 . The golf putting practice device of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is substantially flush with a top of the golf cup. 
   
   
       14 . A method for practicing golf putting, the method comprising:
 placing, on a putting surface, an upper portion protruding upward from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice, a bottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup, a flange being located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configured to prevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth, and a elongate portion for joining the upper portion and the flange and having a diameter less than the diameter of the golf cup, wherein at least one visual target is located in or on one of the top surface and the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice; and   visually focusing on the at least one visual target; and   putting a golf ball at the elongate portion in a direction corresponding to the focusing.   
   
   
       15 . A method of advertising at least one of an entity, a product, a service, or an event to golfers, the method comprising:
 placing logos for an entity, a product, a service, or an event on each of a plurality of golf putting practice devices, each golf putting practice device comprising an upper portion extending upward from a bottom of a golf cup and being viewable by a golfer during putting practice, a bottom portion for inserting into a socket of the golf cup, a flange being located above the bottom portion and configured to rest on the bottom of the golf cup that surrounds the socket and configured to prevent the bottom portion from extending into the socket beyond a predetermined depth, and a elongate portion for joining the upper portion and the flange and having a diameter less than the diameter of the golf cup; and   distributing a plurality of the golf putting practice devices having the logos to golfers.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein at least one visual target is located in or on one of the top surface and the upper portion of the golf putting practice device for providing an area of visual focus for a golfer during putting practice. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein placing the logos on each of the golf putting practice devices includes placing the logo on at least one of the top surface and the upper portion of each golf putting practice device.