Integrated Ball Marker and Club Grip

Abstract

This present disclosure relates to an accessory for use during a round of golf. More particularly, the instant invention is an integrated mounting system in which a ball marker can be mounted on a golf club so that it is readily and easily available when needed, but such that the presence of the ball marker on the golf club will not interfere with the golfer's performance or that of the golf club. In one embodiment, the ball marker is mounted to the grip of the golf club via a magnetic attachment means. In other embodiments, the attachment means may be mechanical in nature, or that of a friction or interference fit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golfing accessory comprising:
 a ball marker comprised of a size and a shape;   a golf club comprised of a head, a shaft, and a grip, wherein the shaft is comprised of a proximal end and a distal end, and further wherein the head is attached to the distal end and the grip is attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and   a recess formed in the grip, wherein the recess is configured to receive the size and the shape of the ball marker and retain the ball marker therein until needed by a user, and further wherein the ball marker does not protrude outwardly from the recess beyond an exterior surface of the grip when positioned in the recess.   
     
     
         2 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the grip further comprises an attachment feature for retaining the ball marker in the recess. 
     
     
         3 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the attachment feature is one of a magnet, a frictional fit, a mechanical connection, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical connection is one of a button, a snap, a hook and loop fastener or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the frictional fit comprises the ball marker having an interlocking engagement with the recess. 
     
     
         6 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the magnet is positioned in the recess of the grip and the ball marker is comprised of a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the magnet is attached to the ball marker and a portion of the grip or the shaft is comprised of a metal that is attracted to the magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the ball marker is positioned on a first end of the grip and the magnet is positioned on an opposite end of the grip. 
     
     
         9 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ball marker is further comprised of an RFID tag. 
     
     
         10 . The golfing accessory as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ball marker is personalized with indicia. 
     
     
         11 . A ball marker and golf club combination comprising:
 a golf club having a shaft, a head and a grip, wherein the head is attached to a distal end of the shaft and the grip is attached to a proximal end of the shaft; and   a ball marker having a size and shape for marking a position of a golf ball on a surface, wherein the ball marker is removably stored within a recess in the grip until needed to mark the position of the golf ball on the surface.   
     
     
         12 . The ball marker and golf club combination as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the grip comprises an attachment element for securing the ball marker within the recess of the grip. 
     
     
         13 . The ball marker and golf club combination as recited in  claim 12 , wherein attachment feature is one of a magnet, a frictional fit, a mechanical connection, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The ball marker and golf club combination as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the ball marker does not extend outwardly from the recess beyond an exterior surface of the grip. 
     
     
         15 . The ball marker and golf club combination as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the magnet is positioned within the recess. 
     
     
         16 . The ball marker and golf club combination as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the magnet is attached to the ball marker, and further wherein the ball marker is comprised of a RFID tag. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using an integrated ball marker comprising the steps of:
 providing a golf club, wherein the golf club is comprised of a shaft, a head and a grip and the head is attached to one end of the shaft and the grip is attached to an opposite end of the shaft;   supplying a ball marker;   creating a recess in the grip;   fitting the ball marker within the recess such that the ball marker is one of (a) flush with an exterior surface of the grip, or (b) below the exterior surface of the grip;   removing the ball marker from the recess in the grip; and   placing the ball marker on a playing surface to mark a position of a golf ball.   
     
     
         18 . The method of using an integrated ball marker feature as recited in  claim 17 , including a further step of customizing the ball marker after the step of supplying the ball marker. 
     
     
         19 . The method of using an integrated ball marker feature as recited in  claim 17 , including a further step of making an attachment element in the grip after the step of creating a recess in the grip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using an integrated ball marker feature as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the attachment element is one of a magnet, a frictional fit, a mechanical attachment, or a combination thereof.