Device for removing golf balls from golf cups

Abstract

A non-impact golf ball remover device is provided. The non-impact golf ball remover is adapted to form a floating engagement between a flagstick and a ball tray for removing golf balls from the golf cup by lifting the flag stick, while the floating engagement prevents damage to the edge of the hole when replacing the flag stick and the engaged ball tray back in the golf cup. The present invention contemplates the flagstick being laid on the green during the putting process by some golfers who choose to putt with the flagstick out, as the floating engagement disposes the ball tray at a transverse relationship with the lain flag stick, cushioning the green from the ferrule of the flag stick.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ball removal device forming a floating engagement with a pole in a hole, comprising:
 a tray having a tray circumference less than that of said hole;   a pole aperture dimensioned to have an aperture diameter thirty-five to sixty-five percent greater than that of said pole; and   one or more cradles on an upward-facing side of the tray, wherein each cradle is dimensioned to maintain the ball a predefine distance from the pole aperture,   whereby the tray is not connected to the pole and thereby floats relative thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The ball removal device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an upward-facing flange defining the pole aperture.   
     
     
         3 . The ball removal device of  claim 2 , wherein each cradle is a substantially a void. 
     
     
         4 . The ball removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture diameter is fifty percent greater than that of said pole. 
     
     
         5 . A method of preventing damage to a periphery of a golf hole and surround golf green, comprising:
 sliding the ball removal device of  claim 2  down said pole until the ball removal devices sits on a ferrule of said pole.