Optical Putter System

Abstract

A system and method for calibration of golf shots is provided. Specifically, a tool for providing a reference target superimposed over an image of the cup for calibration purposes is provided. An optical putter calibration tool may include a viewing area and a reference target image. The reference target image may be manufactured within the viewing area or removably affixed to the exterior of the viewing area. The viewing area may be integrated in a shaft of a golf club, such as a putter, for providing a simultaneous view of the cup and the reference target image. Comparison of the reference target image and the view of the cup may provide a determination of a playing surface characteristic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical putter calibration tool comprising:
 a viewing area integral to a shaft of a putter, wherein the viewing area simultaneously provides a view and a reference target image, and wherein comparison of the view to the reference target image provides a reading of playing surface characteristics.   
     
     
         2 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing area is at least one of transparent and clear. 
     
     
         3 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reference target image comprises a projection of a shape of an opening of a cup on a level golf green at a pre-selected distance and a pre-selected height from the cup. 
     
     
         4 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing area may be inserted into the shaft of the putter between a grip and a club face. 
     
     
         5 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reference target image is within the viewing area. 
     
     
         6 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reference target image is at least one of removably affixed to the exterior of a surface of the viewing area or etched in the surface of the viewing area. 
     
     
         7 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing area is formed comprising an internal target image. 
     
     
         8 . The optical calibration tool of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-selected distance is between about 10 to 15 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The optical calibration tool of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-selected distance is a suitable plumb bob distance. 
     
     
         10 . The optical calibration tool of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-selected height is between about 4 to 7 feet. 
     
     
         11 . The optical calibration tool of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-selected height is eye level. 
     
     
         12 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reading of playing surface characteristics in relation to a cup comprises at least one of flat, sloping uphill, sloping downhill, sloping right, and sloping left. 
     
     
         13 . The optical putter calibration tool of  claim 1 , wherein the optical putter calibration tool provides a verification of a determination of playing surface characteristics when utilized along a fall line of a playing surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method of drawing an inference of the playing surface characteristics of a golf green comprising:
 standing on the same side of a cup as a ball;   viewing a reference target image through a transparent section of a club and substantially simultaneously viewing the cup;   comparing an orientation of a view of the cup with the orientation of the reference target image to produce a comparison; and   determining that a playing surface in relation to the cup is at least one of sloping to the left of the cup, sloping to the right of the cup, sloping uphill towards the cup, sloping downhill towards the cup, or flat based on the comparison.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 superimposing the reference target image on the view of the cup along a fall line of the cup; and   verifying the inference of the playing surface characteristics of the golf green based on comparing the view of the cup along the fall line of the cup with the reference target image.   
     
     
         16 . A method of drawing an inference of the playing surface characteristics of a golf green comprising:
 standing on the same side of a cup as a ball;   viewing a reference target image through a transparent section of a club and substantially simultaneously viewing the cup;   adjusting the bottom of the club along a pivot point to directly align the reference target image over a view of the cup; and   determining that a playing surface in relation to the cup is at least one of sloping to the left of the cup, sloping to the right of the cup, sloping uphill towards the cup, sloping downhill towards the cup, or flat based on how the bottom of the club is adjusted to directly align the reference target image over the view of the cup.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pivot point is in line with in a plane of the ball. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pivot point is in line with the X direction of the ball. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 superimposing the reference target image on the view of the cup along a fall line of the cup; and   verifying the inference of the playing surface characteristics based on comparing the view of the cup along the fall line of the cup with the reference target image.