Tapered golf flagstick

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a tapered flagstick according to various aspects of the present technology include a transition region disposed along the length of the flagstick that corresponds to ground level when the flagstick is positioned in a golf hole. The transition region comprises a contact zone having a surface that angled towards a center axis of the flagstick resulting in a narrowing of the diameter of the flagstick at or just above ground level. A normal line coming out of the contact zone has an angle of less than ninety degrees and generally points downward towards the ground altering the impact angle of a golf ball striking the flagstick to direct the golf ball in a more downward manner.

1 . A flagstick, comprising:
 a transition region disposed above a lower-most section of the flagstick, wherein the transition region comprises:
 a contact zone disposed along an upper section of the transition region and comprising a region of decreasing diameter from a top end of the contact zone to a bottom end of the contact zone; 
 a middle zone disposed below the lower section of the contact zone and comprising a region of uniform diameter between the bottom end of the contact zone and a lower section of the middle zone; and 
 a bottom zone disposed between the middle zone and the lower-most section of the flagstick and comprising a region of increasing diameter between the lower section of the middle zone and the lower-most section of the flagstick. 
   
     
     
         2 . A flagstick according to  claim 1 , wherein the top end of the contact zone is positioned between four and eight inches above the lower-most section of flagstick. 
     
     
         3 . A flagstick according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the contact zone is angled a center axis of the flagstick between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         4 . A flagstick according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of the contact zone comprises a uniform rate of reduction in diameter between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         5 . A flagstick according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of the contact zone forms a generally concave curved surface between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         6 . A flagstick according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact zone comprises a height of between three-quarters of an inch and two inches. 
     
     
         7 . A flagstick according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the top end of the contact zone comprises a diameter of about one-half an inch; and   the bottom end of the contact zone comprises a diameter of about three-eighths of an inch.   
     
     
         8 . A flagstick for a golf hole having a hole liner, comprising:
 an upper end;   a middle portion; and   a lower end, comprising:
 a lower-most section having a ferrule configured to be inserted into the hole liner and hold the flagstick in an upright position; and 
 a transition region positioned between the lower-most section and the middle portion, wherein the transition region comprises:
 a contact zone disposed along an upper section of the transition region and comprising a region of decreasing diameter from a top end of the contact zone to a bottom end of the contact zone; 
 a middle zone disposed below the lower section of the contact zone and comprising a region of uniform diameter between the bottom end of the contact zone and a lower section of the middle zone; and 
 a bottom zone disposed between the middle zone and the lower-most section of the flagstick and comprising a region of increasing diameter between the lower section of the middle zone and the lower-most section of the flagstick. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . A flagstick according to  claim 8 , wherein the top end of the contact zone is positioned between four and eight inches above the ferrule. 
     
     
         10 . A flagstick according to  claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the contact zone is angled a center axis of the flagstick between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         11 . A flagstick according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of the contact zone comprises a uniform rate of reduction in diameter between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         12 . A flagstick according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of the contact zone forms a generally concave curved surface between the upper section of the contact zone and the lower section of the contact zone. 
     
     
         13 . A flagstick according to  claim 8 , wherein the contact zone comprises a height of between three-quarters of an inch and two inches. 
     
     
         14 . A flagstick according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the top end of the contact zone comprises a diameter of about one-half an inch; and   the bottom end of the contact zone comprises a diameter of about three-eighths of an inch.