Golf flagstick device for determining a gimme putt

Abstract

A golf flagstick device determines whether a golf ball has come to rest within a fixed distance of a golf hole such that a player is awarded a gimme putt. The device includes a sensor to detect whether a golf ball is near a golf hole. In operation, the device creates a visible perimeter surrounding the golf cup and measures the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup. The device can also record and detect other information related to pace of play and player activity on and around the putting green.

1 . A device for visibly delineating a gimme zone surrounding a golf cup on a putting green, said device comprising:
 a body;   at least one sensor on said body for detecting the presence of a golf ball or players on the putting green; and   one or more light projectors on said body for projecting a visible perimeter delineating the gimme zone.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a means for attaching said body to a golf flagstick. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a button to turn on and control the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of the golf ball or players on the putting green. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more cameras. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more solar panels. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a mechanism to lock the device onto the golf flagstick. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a golf flagstick and the device is permanently embedded onto the golf flagstick. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an automatic golf ball elevator. 
     
     
         12 . A method of determining whether a golf ball is close enough to a golf cup to award a gimme, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a device for indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme distance from a golf cup, said device comprising:
 at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a golf ball; and 
 a processor, 
   pre-determining a gimme zone radius;   detecting the presence of the golf ball on the putting green;   measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup;   comparing said distance to the pre-determined or selected gimme zone radius;   assessing whether the golf ball is within the gimme zone; and   communicating to players whether the golf ball is inside or outside the gimme zone.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising measuring a distance of a plurality of golf balls located within the gimme zone and comparing the distances between each of the plurality of golf balls. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , where said device further comprises a processor for determining whether the golf ball is within the gimme zone and measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , where said device further comprises a means for communicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of the golf ball or players on the putting green and when the golf ball is within the gimme zone.