Location marking apparatus and methods

Abstract

A location marking device includes a first portion having a weighted section. A second portion extends from a first end to a second end, the first end connected to the first portion at a connection location. A visual indicator is attached to the second end of the second portion. The location marking device is configured to be placed on a surface of a golf course. The weighted section of the first portion is located at a location opposite the connection location such that the second portion extends away from the surface and the visual indicator is positioned a distance away from the surface in order to be visually located by a golfer traversing the golf course.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A location marking device comprising:
 a first portion including a weighted section;   a second portion connected to the first portion; and   a catch member attached to at least one of the first portion or the second portion; and   a latch member attached to the other of the second portion or the first portion, wherein:
 the catch member having an operative position relative to the latch member in which the latch member contacts and maintains the catch member in a fixed position with respect to the latch member such that the second portion is located in a first position adjacent the first portion, 
 the catch member having an inoperative position relative to the latch member in which the latch member is separated from the catch member such that the second portion is located in a second position spaced from the first portion wherein the second portion is free to move relative to the first portion, and 
 the catch member is configured to move from the operative position to the inoperative position upon an impact with a surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The location marking device of  claim 1 , the second portion comprising a visual indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The location marking device of  claim 2 , wherein the visual indicator is at least one of an emoji, an arrow, a printed word, a printed phrase, or a golf ball shape. 
     
     
         4 . The location marking device of  claim 1 , the first portion connected to the second portion through a flexible member. 
     
     
         5 . The location marking device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . A location marking device comprising:
 a first portion including a weighted section;   a second portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end of the second portion connected to the first portion at a connection location; and   a visual indicator attached to the second end of the second portion, wherein:
 the location marking device is configured to be placed on a surface of a golf course, and 
 the weighted section of the first portion located at a location opposite the connection location such that the second portion extends away from the surface and the visual indicator is positioned a distance away from the surface in order to be visually located by a golfer traversing the golf course. 
   
     
     
         7 . The location marking device of  claim 6 , wherein the location marking device is configured to be tossed from a golf cart. 
     
     
         8 . A method of marking a location of a golf ball on a golf course, the method comprising:
 visually locating a golf ball on a golf course; and   placing a location marking device on a surface of the golf course, the location marking device comprising:
 a first portion including a weighted section; 
 a second portion connected to the first portion; and 
 a visual indicator attached to the second portion, wherein: 
   the location marking device indicates a location of the golf ball for a golfer to locate the golf ball to maintain a desired pace of play.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein placing the location marking device comprises tossing the location marking device from a golf cart.