Golf ball marker

Abstract

Providing visual cues to a golfer to instruct or remind the golfer as to aspects of better play. The visual cues are placed on a device which may be planted on a golf course to mark ball location on the golf course, so that the ball may be removed and subsequently replaced at the same location. The apparatus may comprise a circular pad bearing indicia which is visible from above and a spike which projects downwardly to engage the ground. An associated method combines the functions of marking ball location and receiving golfing instruction, using the novel apparatus.

1 . A ball marker comprising: a plaque having an upper surface bearing indicia and an opposed lower surface, wherein the indicia is an instruction to improve the play of a golfer. 
   
   
       2 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the plaque comprises a flat disc having a circular configuration in plan view. 
   
   
       3 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to keep its eyes over the ball. 
   
   
       4 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to accelerate thru the ball. 
   
   
       5 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to putt to the apex. 
   
   
       6 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to grip the putter softly. 
   
   
       7 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to keep its head still. 
   
   
       8 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to keep its left wrist firm. 
   
   
       9 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the instruction is for the golfer to initiate a putting stroke with the lead shoulder. 
   
   
       10 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the symbolic rendering of an instruction comprises an abstract symbol. 
   
   
       11 . A method of conveying instruction appropriate for improving the play of a golfer, comprising the steps of:
 placing a ball marker on a golf course at the location of a golf ball which has come to rest, wherein the marker bears a visual cue conveying an instruction for improving the play of a golfer;   observing the visual cue from the ball marker;   assimilating the instruction; and,   implementing the instruction and striking the golf ball.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the marker further comprises a disc bearing on one face of the disc, indicia corresponding to the visible cue and on the other side of the disc a spike disposed to engage the ground. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising the further step of removing the golf ball after the step of placing the marker on the golf course surface prior to performing the step of observing the visual cue from the ball marker. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising the further step of replacing the golf ball prior to the step of implementing the instruction and striking the golf ball. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the further step of picking up the marker after assimilating the instruction and prior to implementing the instruction and striking the golf ball. 
   
   
       16 . A ball marker comprising incorporating a display for indicating location of a golf ball on a golf course, the ball marker comprising:
 a plaque having a maximal dimension in the range of one half of an inch to one and one half inches, an upper surface bearing indicia and an opposed lower surface, wherein the indicia comprises a symbolic rendering of an instruction appropriate to improving the play of a golfer.   
   
   
       17 . The ball marker of  claim 16 , wherein the symbolic rendering of an instruction comprises an abstract symbol. 
   
   
       18 . The ball marker of  claim 16 , wherein the plaque comprises a flat disc having a circular configuration in plan view. 
   
   
       19 . The ball marker of  claim 16  further comprising a pointed spike projecting from the lower surface, wherein the pointed spike has a length in the range of three sixteenths to three quarters of an inch. 
   
   
       20 . The ball marker of  claim 17 , wherein the plaque comprises a flat disc having a circular configuration in plan view.