Green reading method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus read the break in a surface and adjust aim accordingly. The method utilizes a green key ball marker comprising indicia of slope, and describes how to determine slope. The marker then allows for quantifying break and provides alignment assistance.

1 . A golf ball marker comprising one or more lines that can be used to estimate the break of a golf ball. 
     
     
         2 . The maker of  claim 1  wherein the one or more lines correlate to surface slope. 
     
     
         3 . The marker of  claim 2  wherein the slope is between about 1° and 4°. 
     
     
         4 . The marker of  claim 1  further comprising at least two set of lines, wherein each set of lines correlates to a different surface slope. 
     
     
         5 . The marker of  claim 1  further comprising at four sets of lines, wherein each set of lines correlates to a different surface slope. 
     
     
         6 . The marker of  claim 5  wherein each set of lines is located on a different side of the marker. 
     
     
         7 . The marker of  claim 1  further comprising a set of lines comprised of at least two lines correlated to surface slope, and wherein each line represents a different amount of break on the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The marker of  claim 7  wherein each line represents the amount of break on the surface in relation to an inflection point. 
     
     
         9 . The marker of  claim 8  wherein each line is incremented from the inflection point by 30° increments. 
     
     
         10 . The marker of  claim 7  wherein at least one line is a center line representing no break. 
     
     
         11 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the marker is calibrated for a downhill surface. 
     
     
         12 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the marker is calibrated for an uphill surface. 
     
     
         13 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the marker is calibrated to the speed of the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The marker of  claim 13  wherein the speed of the surface is measured by a stimp meter. 
     
     
         15 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the lines are adapted to line up with a line on a golf ball. 
     
     
         16 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the lines are adapted to line up with a line on a golf club. 
     
     
         17 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the lines are adapted to line up with a line on a golf ball and a line on a golf club. 
     
     
         18 . The marker of  claim 1  wherein the marker is substantially flat. 
     
     
         19 . The marker of  claim 1  further comprising four sets of lines, wherein each set of lines correlates to a different surface slope, and at least one set of lines comprises 5 lines comprising a center 0° line, a 30° line, 330° line, 60° line, and 300° line wherein the degrees are relative to an inflection point, and the marker is calibrated to a downhill surface and to a surface speed measured by a stimp meter. 
     
     
         20 . The marker of  claim 1  further comprising four sets of lines, wherein each set of lines correlates to a different surface slope, and at least one set of lines comprises 7 lines comprising a center 0° line, a 30° line, 330° line, 60° line, 300° line, 90° line, and a 270° line wherein the degrees are relative to an inflection point, and the marker is calibrated to an uphill surface and to a surface speed measured by a stimp meter.