Magnetic Coupling Golf Ball Removal Systems And Methods

Abstract

The inventions disclosed herein may generally relate to a golf ball elevating systems which may address the need to elevate a golf ball or other sporting object from inside a putting green cup, possibly without human contact with a flag stick, ground, or cup. In some embodiments, the system may wholly comply with USGA (United States Golf Association) regulations. The system may use, for example, magnetic attraction or repulsion to facilitate elevation of the golf ball out of the cup. The system may use hooks, rings, or tool receptacles, as but a few examples to facilitate the golfer supplying the force to remove the golf ball from the cup such as by a putter. If desired to comply with the USGA flagstick requirements, some embodiments may have no pieces of the system present outside of the flagstick in the regions approximately 3″ above and approximately 3″ below the putting surface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A golf ball retrieval system comprising:
 a flagstick enclosed coupling, wherein said enclosed coupling comprises a first magnet and a second magnet;   an actuator, wherein said actuator is coupled to said first magnet;   a ball elevator, wherein said ball elevator is coupled to said second magnet; and   a flagstick, wherein said enclosed coupling, said actuator, and said ball elevator are enclosed by said flagstick.   
     
     
         2 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said first magnet comprises a flagstick internal outer magnet. 
     
     
         3 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said second magnet comprises a flagstick internal inner magnet. 
     
     
         4 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said first magnet comprises a flagstick external inner magnet. 
     
     
         5 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said second magnet comprises a flagstick external outer magnet. 
     
     
         6 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  further comprising actuator with a flagstick external actuator hook. 
     
     
         7 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said actuator comprises a tee actuator. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said actuator comprises a tool actuator. 
     
     
         9 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said ball elevator comprises a ramp. 
     
     
         10 . A golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 1  wherein said flagstick comprises a slotted flagstick. 
     
     
         11 . A method of retrieving a golf ball comprising the steps of:
 coupling a first magnet and a second magnet;   actuating an actuator rod coupled to said first magnet;   elevating a ball elevator coupled to said second magnet; and   retrieving a golf ball.   
     
     
         12 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of actuating an actuator rod coupled to said first magnet comprises actuating a flagstick external outer magnet coupled to said actuator rod. 
     
     
         13 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of elevating a ball elevator coupled to said second magnet comprises elevating a flagstick external inner magnet coupled to said ball elevator. 
     
     
         14 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of actuating an actuator rod coupled to said first magnet comprises actuating a flagstick internal outer magnet coupled to said actuator rod. 
     
     
         15 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of elevating a ball elevator coupled to said second magnet comprises elevating a flagstick internal inner magnet coupled to said ball elevator. 
     
     
         16 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  further comprising a step of actuating said actuator rod with a flagstick external actuating hook. 
     
     
         17 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of retrieving a golf ball comprises inserting a golf tee into a slot in said flagstick, wherein supplying a force on said golf tee actuates said actuator rod. 
     
     
         18 . A method of retrieving a golf ball as described in  claim 11  wherein said step of retrieving a golf ball comprises actuating said actuator with a tool. 
     
     
         19 . A magnetic coupling golf ball retrieval system comprising:
 an inner magnet;   an outer magnet, where said inner magnet magnetically coupled to said outer magnet forming a magnetic coupling;   an actuator rod, wherein said magnetic coupling is capable of being coupled to said actuator rod;   a ball elevator, wherein said ball elevator is capable of being coupled to said actuator rod; and   a flagstick, wherein said inner magnet said outer magnet said actuator rod, and said ball elevator form a singular assembly with said flagstick.   
     
     
         20 . A magnetic coupling golf ball retrieval system as described in  claim 19  further comprising a magnetic force governor to automatically reset said ball elevator.