Golf Green Reader Device and Method

Abstract

A device and method for viewing and analyzing the surface of a putting green. The device includes an image capturing device and a display device attached to opposite ends of a shaft. The shaft may include telescoping sections which permit the shaft to be collapsed for storage, extended for use, and adjusted to suit the height of the golfer. A golfer places the image capturing device on or close to the ground to obtain an image of the surface of the green. The golfer adjusts the length of the shaft using the telescoping sections so the display is positioned at a convenient height. The image is transmitted via cable or wirelessly to the display. The golfer views the image of the putting surface on the display and visually determines the breaks and imperfections of the putting surface between the ball and the cup.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A golf green reader device comprising:
 an image capturing device for obtaining an image of the surface of a putting green;   a display device operably connected to the image capturing device for displaying the image; and   a shaft having a lower end and an upper end,   wherein the image capturing device is attached to the shaft proximate to the lower end of the shaft and the display device is attached to the shaft proximate to the upper end of the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of telescoping sections to allow the length of the shaft to be adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display device is pivotally mounted on the shaft so that the viewing angle of the display device may be adjusted. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the shaft is hollow, and the display device is operably connected to the image capturing device by a cable located within the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the display device is operably connected to the image capturing device by wireless transmission means. 
     
     
         6 . A golf green reader device comprising:
 a remote image capturing device for obtaining an image of the surface of a putting green;   a hand-held viewing device comprising a display; and   transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an image signal from the image capturing device to the viewing device.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the remote image capturing device is adapted to be attached to a user's shoe. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the remote image capturing device comprises a clip for removably attaching the remote image capturing device to the shaft of a golf club. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the viewing device is a computer comprising software programmed to analyze the image and to display information about the surface of the putting green. 
     
     
         10 . A method for viewing the surface of a putting green, comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising an image capturing device operably connected to a display device;   placing the image capturing device proximate to the surface of the putting green;   orienting the image capturing device to obtain an image of the putting surface in a desired direction; and   viewing the image of the putting surface displayed on the display device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the device comprises a shaft, the image capturing device being attached proximate to a first end of the shaft and the display device being attached proximate to the second end of the shaft, and wherein the step of placing the image capturing device proximate to the surface of the putting green is performed by placing the first end of the shaft on or adjacent to the surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the length of the shaft is adjustable, further comprising the step of adjusting the length of the shaft so that the display device is located at a desired height above the surface.