Golf putting training aid

Abstract

Ejector devices and methods for golf putting training are provided. An ejector device can be configured for placement in a regulation golf hole. The ejector device can include a top member connected to a base by a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is operated by a motor in response to commands received from a controller. The controller can selectively actuate the motor and cause the lift mechanism to raise the top member relative to the base, to thereby eject a golf ball from the hole. Such actuation can be in response to detecting the receipt of a selected number of golf balls in the hole. Alternatively, the ejector device can be operated in response to an actuation command entered by a user through a remote control device wirelessly connected to the ejector device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf putting training device, comprising:
 a base;   a top member;   a lift assembly, wherein the base is connected to the top member by the lift assembly;   a motor, wherein the motor is connected to the lift assembly; and   a controller, wherein the controller is operable to selectively actuate the motor to move the top member away from the base.   
     
     
         2 . The golf putting training device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wireless transmitter;   a wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver is operable to provide an actuation signal received from the wireless transmitter to the controller, and wherein in response to receiving the actuation signal the controller operates the motor to drive the lift assembly and to move the top member away from the base.   
     
     
         3 . The golf putting training device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor, wherein the sensor is operable to provide a signal the controller in response to an event.   
     
     
         4 . The golf putting training device of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The golf putting training device of  claim 4 , wherein the event is an impact. 
     
     
         6 . The golf putting training device of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable to count a number of signals provided from the sensor, and wherein the controller is operable to operate the motor to drive the lift assembly and to move the top member away from the base when count of the number of signals is equal to a selected value. 
     
     
         7 . The golf putting training device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a memory, wherein the controller executes instructions held in the memory, and wherein the selected value is held in the memory.   
     
     
         8 . The golf putting training device of  claim 7 , wherein the impact is a golf ball dropping on the top member. 
     
     
         9 . The golf putting training device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to determine a force applied to the top member, and wherein the controller is further operable to operate the motor to drive the lift assembly and to move the top member away from the base in response determining that the force applied to the top member is at least a selected amount. 
     
     
         10 . The golf putting training device of  claim 8 , wherein the selected amount corresponds to a weight of a selected number of golf balls. 
     
     
         11 . A golf training system, comprising:
 an ejector assembly, including:
 a base; 
 a top member; 
 a lift assembly, wherein the base is connected to the top member by the lift assembly; 
 a motor, wherein the motor is connected to the lift assembly; 
 a controller, wherein the controller is operable to selectively actuate the motor to move the top member away from the base; 
 memory, wherein the memory holds instructions for execution by the controller; and 
 a power supply, wherein the power supply provides electrical power to at least the motor and the controller. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a sensor, wherein the sensor is operable to provide an event signal to the controller in response to sensing an event, and wherein the controller is operable to activate the motor to move the top member away from the base in response to receiving a selected number of event signals from the sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a user input, wherein the selected number of event signals is determined in response to a signal received from the user input.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the user input is a switch. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the switch is connected to the controller by a wireline connection, and wherein the switch includes at least three positions. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the switch positions selects at least two event signals. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a wireless communication interface, wherein the wireless communication interface is connected to the controller by a wireline connection, and wherein the switch is connected to the wireless communication interface by a wireless communication channel.   
     
     
         18 . A golf putting training method, comprising:
 placing an ejector assembly in a hole in a putting green;   receiving a golf ball in the hole;   operating the ejector assembly to eject the golf ball from the hole.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 receiving a number of golf balls in the hole;   operating the ejector assembly to eject the golf ball from the hole when the number of golf balls received in the hole is equal to a selected number.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 connecting a user input to the controller over a wireless communication channel;   receiving, at the controller, a signal from the user input to operate the ejector assembly.