Golf Ball Retriever

Abstract

A golf ball retriever includes a ring attached to an elongated handle and a net pocket attached to one end of the ring. The net pocket may be made from a flexible mesh net material. The net pocket defines a constricted waist portion to inhibit golf balls captured in the pocket from unexpectedly escaping from the pocket. An inside edge of the ring is chamfered to facilitate capturing golf balls. The handle may, but need not, include a telescoping section. The ring may include LEDs or other lamps to make the ring more visible in murky water or under low ambient light conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball retriever, comprising:
 an elongated handle;   a ring attached proximate one end of the handle, the ring having a circumference; and   a net pocket having an opening and an end opposite the opening, the opening having a circumference, the net pocket also defining a constricted waist portion intermediate the pocket opening and the end of the pocket opposite the pocket opening, the pocket being attached along the circumference of the pocket opening to the circumference of the ring.   
     
     
         2 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring has a length and first and second ends, and the ring defines a chamfer on an inside edge of one of the ends thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 2 , wherein the ring defines a second chamfer on an inside edge of the other one of the ends thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring is circular in cross section. 
     
     
         5 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the ring is substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the elongated handle. 
     
     
         6 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring has an inside diameter of at least about twice the diameter of a US standard golf ball. 
     
     
         7 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring has an inside diameter of at least about 3.2 inches. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring has an inside diameter of at least about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring is fixed to the elongated handle, such that the ring can not rotate, with respect to the handle, about the longitudinal axis of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable member configured, in one mode, to prevent rotation of the ring, with respect to the handle, about the longitudinal axis of the handle, and in another mode to allow such rotation. 
     
     
         11 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the constricted waist portion of the pocket is defined by a resilient material. 
     
     
         12 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the net pocket comprises a flexible mesh net. 
     
     
         13 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the ring is colored a high-visibility color. 
     
     
         14 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the ring is colored a shade of: fluorescent orange, fluorescent red, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent green or white. 
     
     
         15 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises at least one electric lamp. 
     
     
         16 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electric lamp configured to illuminate the ring. 
     
     
         17 . A golf ball retriever according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring is attached to the handle such that the axis of the ring is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated handle.