A system for marking a golf hole and a ferrule for use in such system

Abstract

A system for marking a golf hole, a ferrule and a kit thereof is provided, where the ferrule has a top portion on which a disc element is positioned which is free floating or resting on the hole cup in an unloaded condition. The disc element is raised relative to the top surface of the hole cup so only a shoulder of the ferrule or disc element is resting on the hole cup. Alternatively, the disc element is raised by an adapter element positioned relative to the top portion.

1 . A system for marking a golf hole, comprising a hole cup, a flagstick and a ferrule, the hole cup being configured to be positioned in a golf hole of a green surface, the flagstick extending in an axial direction, and the ferrule comprising a bottom portion configured to be positioned in a hole in the hole cup and a top portion ( 10 ) configured to receive a bottom end of the flagstick, wherein a disc-shaped element projects outwards from a side surface of the top portion ( 10 ) of the ferrule in a substantially radial direction, the disc-shaped element having a local top surface and a local bottom surface, and the hole cup having a top surface wherein the hole is arranged, wherein the disc-shaped element, when installed, is positioned at a first distance, D 1 , from the green surface, wherein the top portion ( 10 ) and the bottom portion are shaped as a single continuous piece, where the top portion ( 10 ) projects outwards from the top surface of the hole cup towards the green surface in the axial direction, wherein the disc-shaped element, when installed, is further positioned at a distance, D 2 , from the top surface of the hole cup so that the disc-shaped element is free floating in an unloaded condition. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower edge of the disc-shaped element is positioned above an upper edge of the top surface of the hole cup. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ferrule further comprises an adapter element configured to be positioned relative to the top portion, wherein the second distance D 2  is determined by the adapter element alone or in combination with the top portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distance D 1  is measured between the green surface and an upper edge of the disc-shaped element or the top portion, the first distance D 1  being at least 76.2 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second distance D 2  is measured between an lower edge of the top surface and a lower edge of the disc-shaped element, the second distance D 2  being at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ferrule, the disc-shaped element or the adapter element further comprises a shoulder with a contact surface configured to contact the top surface of the hole cup, when installed, the shoulder having a local diameter greater than a local diameter of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises at least one groove arranged at a side surface, the at least one groove is shaped to receive and hold an elastic element for contacting a side surface of the hole of the hole cup, when installed. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the disc-shaped element is integrated into the top portion or fixed relative to the side surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         10 . A ferrule for use in a system according to  claim 1 , the ferrule comprising a bottom portion configured to be positioned in a hole in a hole cup and a top portion ( 10 ) configured to receive a bottom end of a flagstick, wherein a disc-shaped element projects outwards from a side surface of the top portion ( 10 ) of the ferrule in a substantially radial direction, the disc-shaped element having a local top surface and a local bottom surface, where the disc-shaped element, when in use, is configured to be spaced apart from a top surface of the hole cup so that the disc-shaped element is positioned at a first distance, D 1 , from the green surface, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are shaped as a single continuous piece, where the top portion projects outwards from the top surface of the hole cup towards the green surface in the axial direction, wherein the top portion comprises at least one groove arranged at a local side surface, the at least one groove being configured to receive and hold the disc-shaped element, so that the disc-shaped element, when installed, is further positioned at a distance, D 2 , from the top surface of the hole cup so that the disc-shaped element is free floating in an unloaded condition. 
     
     
         11 . The ferrule according to  claim 9 , wherein a shoulder is arranged on the ferrule and comprises a contact surface configured to contact the top surface of the hole cup, where the shoulder is arranged at a transition between the top portion and the bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . The ferrule according to  claim 9 , wherein the top portion having a local outer diameter greater than a local outer diameter of the bottom portion in the radial direction. 
     
     
         13 . The ferrule according to  claim 9 , wherein the top portion having a local outer diameter equal to a local outer diameter of the bottom portion in the radial direction. 
     
     
         14 . The ferrule according to  claim 12 , wherein the ferrule further comprises an adapter element configured to be positioned relative to the top portion, wherein the adapter element has a central through hole corresponding to the outer diameter of the top portion and for receiving the top portion of the ferrule. 
     
     
         15 . The ferrule according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one groove is arranged at an angle, relative to the axial direction. 
     
     
         16 . The ferrule according to  claim 9  wherein the disc-shaped element is formed as a piece with at least one slot, the at least one slot extending from a circumference edge towards a centre of the disc-shaped element. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The ferrule according to  claim 9 , wherein the disc-shaped element is made of an elastic deformable material or comprises an elastic deformable structure, and having an outer diameter of at least 50 mm and/or having a local thickness of no more than 50 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for use in a system according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least one ferrule comprising a bottom portion configured to be positioned in a hole in the hole cup and a top portion ( 10 ) configured to receive a bottom end of the flagstick, where the top portion and the bottom portion are shaped as a single continuous piece, where the top portion projects outwards from the top surface of the hole cup towards a green surface in an axial direction, when installed, and   at least one disc-shaped element having a local top surface, a local bottom surface and a circumference edge, wherein the at least one disc-shaped element is integrated into or configured to be attached to the top portion wherein the top portion comprises at least one groove arranged at a local side surface, the at least one groove being configured to receive and hold the disc-shaped element, so that the disc-shaped element, when installed, is further positioned at a distance, D 2 , from the top surface of the hole cup so that the disc-shaped element is free floating in an unloaded condition.   
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 19 , wherein the kit further comprises:
 at least one adapter element configured to be positioned relative to the at least top portion ( 10 ′), when installed, wherein a second distance D 2  between the top surface of the hole cup and the at least one disc-shaped element is determined by the adapter element alone or in combination with the top portion ( 10 ′).