Visual Aid

Abstract

A visual aid for use in a ball game, such as golf, consists of a ball or disc on which a ball can be placed provided with markings on the surface comprising cross-hairs and a circle, which circle in the case of the ball is of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ball or in the case of the disc is equal to or greater in diameter than the diameter of the golf ball so as to be used in combination with the periphery of the ball to enable the player to position the player's eyes relative to the ball and in respect of the cross-hairs facilitate the adoption by the player of a targeted mode of vision as well as facilitating the alignment of the direction in which the golf ball is to be propelled.

1 . A visual aid for use in a ball game comprising an article provided with markings adapted to facilitate the adoption by a player of a targeted mode of vision, wherein the markings include a cross-hair feature. 
   
   
       2 . A visual aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-hair feature is arranged to facilitate the alignment of the direction in which the ball in a ball game is to be propelled by the player. 
   
   
       3 . A visual aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a sphere which is provided with the markings. 
   
   
       4 . A visual aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the markings are adapted to enable a player of the ball game to consistently position his eyes in a repeatable fixed position relative to the sphere. 
   
   
       5 . A visual aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the markings on the sphere are used in combination with the periphery of the sphere to position the players eyes relative to the sphere. 
   
   
       6 . A visual aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the markings are applied to the surface of the sphere. 
   
   
       7 . A visual aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the markings are projected onto the surface of the sphere from the exterior or interior of the sphere. 
   
   
       8 . A visual aid according to  claim 3 , wherein the sphere is a golf ball. 
   
   
       9 . A visual aid in the form of the golf ball according to  claim 8  which is to be used in executing a putting stroke or a stroke with a full swing, wherein the markings on the golf ball enable a golfer to adopt a repeatable stance with his eyes directly above the centre of the golf ball when executing a putting stroke or a repeatable position when executing a stroke With a full swing. 
   
   
       10 . A visual aid according to  claim 9 , wherein the markings on the golf ball are capable of being aligned so that the markings are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball when viewed from directly above thereby giving a uniform eclipse effect. 
   
   
       11 . A visual aid golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein the markings include a shape adapted to be positioned so that the distance between the periphery of the shape and the periphery of the golf ball can be positioned by adjustment of the golfers eyes over the ball to be equi-distant to give the eclipse effect when the golfers eyes are correctly positioned. 
   
   
       12 . A visual aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the shape is a circle of smaller diameter than the golf ball. 
   
   
       13 . A visual aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the shape is a geometrical shape other than a circle. 
   
   
       14 . A visual aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the shape is formed of a block of a contrasting colour to the colour of the golf ball. 
   
   
       15 . A visual aid according to  claim 14 , wherein the shape is provided with linear openings to provide the cross-hair feature. 
   
   
       16 . A visual aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is a disc which is provided with the markings on which a golf ball is centrally positioned. 
   
   
       17 . A visual aid according to  claim 16 , wherein the markings are adapted to enable a player to consistently position his eyes in a repeatable fixed position relative to the golf ball. 
   
   
       18 . A visual aid according to  claim 17 , wherein the markings on the disc are used in combination with the periphery of the golf ball to position the players eyes relative to the golf ball. 
   
   
       19 . A visual aid according to  claim 18  which is to be used in executing a putting stroke, wherein the markings on the disc enable a golfer to adopt a stance with his eyes directly above the centre of the golf ball. 
   
   
       20 . A visual aid according to  claim 19 , wherein the markings on the disc are capable of being aligned so that the markings are equi-distant from the periphery of the golf ball when viewed from directly above thereby giving a uniform eclipse effect. 
   
   
       21 . A visual aid according to  claim 20 , wherein the markings include a shape adapted to be positioned so that the distance between the periphery of the shape and the periphery of the golf ball can be positioned by adjustment of the golfers eyes over the ball to be equi-distant to give the eclipse effect when the golfers eyes are correctly positioned. 
   
   
       22 . A visual aid according to  claim 21 , wherein the shape is a circle of equal or greater diameter than the golf ball. 
   
   
       23 . A visual aid according to  claim 21 , wherein the shape is a geometrical shape other than a circle. 
   
   
       24 . A visual aid according to  claim 21 , wherein the shape is formed of a block of a contrasting colour to the colour of the golf ball. 
   
   
       25 . A visual aid according to  claim 21 , wherein the shape is provided with linear openings to provide the cross-hair feature. 
   
   
       26 . A visual aid according to  claim 16 , wherein the disc is provided with a central hole adapted to receive a golf ball tee to secure the disc in desired position and on which the golf ball is placed. 
   
   
       27 . A visual aid according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of equi-angular spaced-apart sets of cross-hair features are provided. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled)