Devices and methods for retrieving golf balls from golf holes

Abstract

Devices are provided for retrieving golf balls from golf holes when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. The devices includes a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole. The body is further configured to mate with the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the golf balls enter the golf hole, and the golf balls can be removed from the hole by lifting the golf flagstick.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for retrieving golf balls from golf holes, comprising a substantially circular body, wherein: the body comprises an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole; the body has a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a golf flag stick; and the body also has a slot formed therein and extending between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body, the slot being configured to permit the portion of the golf flag stick to pass between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner configured to be positioned between the body and the golf flag stick. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the liner comprises a strip of hook and loop tape configured to be fastened to a body of the golf flag stick. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a lip forming an outer periphery of the body, and a neck; and the opening is formed in the neck. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the body further comprises a web adjoining the lip and the neck. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the web is substantially flat and has plurality of holes formed therein. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flagstick. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: the slot is a first slot; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the body; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the body. 
     
     
         9 . A device for removing golf balls from a golf hole when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole, the device comprising a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole, wherein: the body comprises a lip forming an outer perimeter of the body; and a neck forming an inner perimeter of the body, and being configured to mate with the portion of the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is configured to span a substantial entirety of a diameter of the golf hole when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a liner configured to be attached to the portion of the flagstick so that the liner is positioned between the portion of the flagstick and the neck of the device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the liner is further configured so the inner perimeter of the body is seated in the liner. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the neck has an opening formed therein; and the opening is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body has a first slot formed therein and extending between the opening and the outer perimeter of the body; and the slot is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick as the portion of the golf flagstick is moved between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein: the body further comprises a web adjoining the lip and the neck; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the web; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the web. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flagstick. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the lip and the neck each have a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of outer surfaces of the golf balls. 
     
     
         18 . A method for retrieving a golf ball from a golf hole, comprising:
 providing a golf flagstick having a flagstick body;   providing a device comprising a substantially circular body, and an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf ball within the golf hole; wherein: the device body has a centrally-located opening formed therein; and a portion of the flag stick body is located in the opening and secured to the device body; and   grasping the flagstick and lifting the flagstick while the golf ball is resting on the upper surface of the device body.   
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 providing a device for retrieving golf balls from golf holes, the device comprising a substantially circular body comprising an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole; the device body having a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a flagstick body of a golf flagstick; the device body also having a slot formed therein and extending between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body; and   urging the portion of the flagstick body though the slot so that the portion of the flag stick body enters the opening in the device body.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 securing a liner of the device to a portion of the flagstick body;   pushing the device body onto the liner; and   rotating the device body in relation to the flag stick body and the liner.