SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR ASSESSING SLOPE OF A SURFACE

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/178,588, filed on Apr. 14, 2025, and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD USING INDICES ON A PUTTER HEAD TO ASSESS THE SLOPE OF A PUTTING SURFACE,” which in turn is a continuation patent application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/733,172 filed on Jun. 4, 2024, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 12,274,929 on Apr. 15, 2025, and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD USING INDICES ON A PUTTER HEAD TO ASSESS THE SLOPE OF A PUTTING SURFACE,” the contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference, except for where they conflicts with the content herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to putting aiming systems and more particularly to systems and methods for analyzing the slope of a putting green.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a popular pastime in which players use various clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a golf course in as few strokes as possible. Putting is a very important component of the game. When putting, the golfer must determine the correct line of travel of the golf ball to the intended target (i.e., the hole). Before putting, the golfer will analyze the distance of the putt as well as the slope of the green in the direction which they are putting. Errors in the analysis of the putt often result in a missed putt, and thus an increase in the golfer's score. Because the putter is often the most used club throughout the round, the decrease in errors while putting is crucial to reducing the overall score of the round.

The process of analyzing the slope, speed, and other factors of a putting green is known as “green reading” and the process can be referred to as “reading the green”. Many methods exist for reading the green, however, each method has the same goal of determining a putting line and pace which results in the golf ball going in the hole. In particular, it is crucial for golfers to accurately read the slope of the green at various points along the path the golf ball travels after being putted by the golfer. Often, golfers will simply use intuition, eyesight, and other cerebral measurements from their basic knowledge of physics, or simple slope analysis to determine an optimal start line of the putt.

Devices have been created to analyze the slope of the green, including levels placed on the putting surface or incorporated into the golf club which have indices to measure the slope of the green. While effective, these devices are not permitted for use by most governing bodies which control the rules of golf and especially golf tournaments.

Other techniques which are allowed by most governing bodies of golf and golf tournaments include feeling the slope with a golfer's feet which the golfer stands perpendicular to the ground along the line of the putt and determines the difference in pressure felt in his feet on different slopes. Also, “plumb bobbing” in which the golfer holds the putter and analyzes how the putter pivots about a pivot point (e.g., the hand or fingers holding the grip of the putter). If performed correctly, gravity holds the shaft and putter head in a vertical orientation and the golfer will analyze the angle of the putter in reference to their body position or in reference to a line between a point on the surface and the hole. In each case, the body position is preferably aligned perpendicular to the slope of the green.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a reference device. The reference device may comprise a body member, one or more of a reference member that may be positionable to cover a portion of the body member, and a reference pattern that may be overlaying a surface of the one or more reference member(s). The one or more reference member may be movable along the body member about a point of rotation. The reference pattern may include reference lines that may each be operable to indicate to a compensation angle based on a position of a target, a position of an object, and/or characteristics of an external surface.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include a staging item that may be movable about a point of rotation. The staging item may be configured to removably carry the one or more reference member. The one or more reference member(s) may be movable about a point of rotation via the staging item. Some embodiments of the present invention may include reference members that may be selectively removably carried by the staging item. The characteristics of the external surface may include a speed and a slope of the external surface. Each reference member may include a respective reference pattern that may be associated with a surface speed. One reference member may be selected to be removably carried by the staging item based on the associated surface speed and the speed of the external surface.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of a protrusion member that may be configured to be removably matingly engaged with the external surface. Some embodiments of the present invention may include a protrusion platform that may be removably attached to the body member. The one or more protrusion member(s) may be attached to and extending from a lower portion of the protrusion platform.

A first side of the one or more reference member, the staging item, the body member, and the protrusion platform may be configured to receive a portion of a surface of the object to define a ready position thereof. The reference lines may include a first reference line that may correlate to a reference angle and remaining reference lines that may be operable to indicate the compensation angles. The compensation angles may be indicated by remaining reference lines in relation to the reference angle. While in the ready position, the one or more reference member(s) may be rotatably moved to position the first reference line to be directed towards and aligned with the positions of the object and the target to cause the angles of slope indicated by reference lines to be in relation to both of the reference angle and the positions of the object and the target.

Some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a system to retrofit a putter device. The system may comprise a template body, measurement markings positioned on the template body, and measurement displays positioned on the template body adjacent to measurement markings. The measurement markings may comprise a first measurement marking and a remaining plurality of measurement markings that may be spaced apart from the first measurement marking by a predetermined distance. Each of measurement displays may be configured to display a slope measurement associated with measurement markings. The measurement markings may be configured to be transposed onto the putter device to define transposed alignment markings.

The transposed alignment markings may correspond to measurement markings to provide an indication of a slope amount of an external surface. The transposed alignment markings may comprise a first transposed alignment marking and remaining transposed alignment markings. The remaining transposed alignment markings may be spaced apart from the first transposed alignment markings by distances substantially similar to the predetermined distance between the first measurement marking and each of the remaining plurality of measurement markings. The predetermined distance between the first measurement marking and remaining measurement markings may be determined based on the slope measurement and a distance between an upper portion of a putter head of the putter device and a pivot point of the putter device.

The transposed alignment markings may be positionable onto the putter device when the putter head may be positioned on a surface that has a slope amount of zero. Some embodiments of the present invention may include a reference point that may be defined by a grip of a user on a handle of the putter device. The reference point may be associated with the pivot point of the putter device. The transposed alignment markings may be operable to indicate a slope of the external surface by one or more of the transposed alignment markings being aligned with the reference point while the putter head is aligned with the external surface.

The transposed measurement markings comprise one or more of a letter, a number, a symbol, a word, a phrase, a name, a logo, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an illustration, a pattern, a primarily ornamental element, a surface element, an element integrated with the putter device, an element at least partially extending from the putter device, a physical characteristic of the putter device, an element positioned adjacent to one or more of a side portion of the putter device, an outer structure, a line, a dot, an image, a visual depiction, an arrow, a stripe, a grid element, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminable feature, a raised element, an engraving, a notch, a cutout, a peripheral marker, a textured element, an embedded visual element, an adjustable marker, a contrasting element, a groove, a gradient display, a holographic element, a negative space, an element visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter device, and/or a portion of the putter device visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter device.

Some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a device to measure slope. The device may comprise a shaft, a handle carried by an upper portion of the shaft, a putter head carried by a lower portion of the shaft, a reference point that may be associated with a pivot point of the device, and alignment markings that may be located on the putter head. Each of alignment markings may be associated with a slope measurement. The alignment markings may correspond to a slope measurement to provide an indication of a slope amount of an external surface.

Each alignment marking may be associated with a respective slope measurement that may be different and unique from the other alignment markings. The alignment markings may comprise a first alignment marking and remaining alignment markings. The slope measurement associated with the first alignment marking may include a slope amount of zero. Each of the remaining alignment markings may be spaced apart from the first alignment marking by predetermined distances.

The predetermined distance between the first alignment marking and the remaining alignment markings may be based on the slope measurement associated with the alignment marking and a distance between an upper portion of the putter head and the pivot point of the device. The alignment markings may be operable to indicate a slope of the external surface by one or more of the alignment markings being aligned with the reference point while the putter head may be aligned with the external surface.

The measurement markings comprise one or more of a letter, a number, a symbol, a word, a phrase, a name, a logo, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an illustration, a pattern, a primarily ornamental element, a surface element, an element integrated with the device, an element at least partially extending from the device, a physical characteristic of the device, an element positioned adjacent to one or more of a side portion of the device, an outer structure, a line, a dot, an image, a visual depiction, an arrow, a stripe, a grid element, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a notch, a cutout, a peripheral marker, a textured element, an embedded visual element, an adjustable marker, a contrasting element, a groove, a gradient display, a holographic element, a negative space, an element visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the device, and a portion of the device visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic of a user determining a zero point on the putter head using the processes described below, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic of a user assessing the slope of a putting surface and determining the position of a plurality of slope markings on the putter head using the processes described below, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates a cutaway view of the putter head and indices wherein the putter head is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on a 0° and/or 0% slope as measured by the indices on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates a cutaway view of the putter head and indices wherein the putter head is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on a 1° and/or 1% slope as measured by the indices on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cutaway view of the putter head and indices wherein the putter head is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on a 2° and/or 2% slope as measured by the indices on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2D illustrates a cutaway view of the putter head and indices wherein the putter head is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on a 3° and/or 3% slope as measured by the indices on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2E illustrates a cutaway view of the putter head and indices wherein the putter head is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on a 4° and/or 4% slope as measured by the indices on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a step of the process for marking the putter head, wherein the user has identified a reference object on the putting surface, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a step of the process for marking the putter head, wherein the user is holding the putter handle such that the putter head is raised above the ground and the putter may pivot about the point at which the user is holding the putter handle, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a step of the process for marking the putter head, wherein the user is holding the putter handle at the centerline of his/her body such that the putter head is raised above the ground and the putter may pivot about the point at which the user is holding the putter handle, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3D illustrates a perspective view of a step of the process for marking the putter head, wherein the user is holding the putter head above the reference object to visually align the reference object with a point on the putter head, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of a step of the process for marking the putter head, wherein the user is holding the putter head above the reference object to visually align a point on the putter head with the reference object and is marking the putter head to provide indices corresponding to the slope of the putting surface, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3F illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary template and side elevation view of a putter, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3G illustrates a perspective view of the user marking the putter head using the template, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway view of a blade-style putter having the indices for assessing the slope of the putting surface, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway view of a curved mallet-style putter having the indices for assessing the slope of the putting surface, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings and the shaft attached to a mid-portion of the putter head.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings and the shaft attached to a mid-portion of the putter head.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with an alignment marking and the shaft attached to a mid-portion of the putter head.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings adjacent a frontal portion of the putter head and the shaft attached to a mid-portion of the putter head.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings adjacent a rearward portion of the putter head and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings comprising number symbols and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings comprising symbols and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with forward and side alignment markings comprising letter symbols and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with side alignment markings comprising letter symbols and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings that are in a uniform line pattern and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment markings and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and other alignment markings extending the width of the putter head, with and the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment markings and alignment markings integrated with the putter head, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and decorative alignment markings, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with alignment markings integrated with the putter head and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings comprising a decorative pattern, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings comprising a decorative gradient, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and an alignment marking adjacent to one side of the putter head comprising a decorative gradient, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and other alignment markings comprising a decorative pattern, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a forward alignment marking and side alignment markings comprising a decorative pattern, and with the shaft attached to a side portion of the putter head.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of a reference device according to and embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is another top plan view of the reference device shown in FIG. 27, with the reference member moved to one side of the device.

FIG. 29 is a bottom frontal side view of the reference device shown in FIG. 27, showing the with protrusion members.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the reference member of a reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a wider spread reference pattern thereon.

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of another reference member of a reference device according to and embodiment of the present invention, shown with a tighter spread reference pattern thereon.

FIG. 32 is an elevation rear-side view of the reference device shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the reference device shown in FIG. 27 in the ready position adjacent to an object.

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the reference device shown in FIG. 33 in the ready position.

FIG. 35 is another top plan view of the reference device shown in FIG. 34 with the refence member moved toward one side of the reference device.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in the ready position and operable to provide a compensation direction.

FIG. 37 is a front face view of a template device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a frontal and side elevation view of an embodiment of the reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a tail and also having an identifier on the reference member.

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the reference device shown in FIG. 38, shown with the reference member moved toward one side of the reference device.

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the reference member of a reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a reference pattern associated with an identifier of 8 speed/stimp.

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of the reference member of a reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a reference pattern associated with an identifier of 12 speed/stimp.

FIG. 42 is a bottom frontal and side exploded view of the reference device according to and embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is an elevation rear and side exploded view of the reference device shown in FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a top perspective view of the reference device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in the ready position and operable to provide a compensation direction.

FIG. 45 is a rear elevation view of a putter device according to the present invention used to move the object according to a compensation direction provided by a reference device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.

Before describing exemplary embodiments in detail, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to a system and method for marking a putter head 119 to assess the slope of a putting surface. The markings on the putter head 119 may be used as indices to allow the user to efficiently assess the slope of the putting surface, and thus implement an aiming system using the indices on the putter head 119. The system can be readily applied to various putter configurations.

The embodiments seek to provide the golfer (also referred to herein as “user” or “the user”) with a quick and accurate means by which to assess the slope of the green along the line of his/her putt. This slope assessment can be combined with other methods to quickly, reliably, and accurately determine an intended starting direction of the putt while conforming to golf rules and regulations.

As used herein, the term “reference object” is used to define any point which is used by the user to aid in defining the markings and specifically the zero point on the putter head 119. For example, the “reference object” could be a grain of sand or blade of grass.

As used herein, the term “zero point” is used to define a location on the putter head 119 which aligns with the dominant eye of the user and the reference object positioned on the putting surface when the putter device 100 is held at the pivot point above the reference object and the user is standing on a 0% slope surface. This process is described and illustrated by FIG. 2A.

While the use of the term “putting surface” is used herein, it is to be understood that the process may be performed on any surface upon which the user may stand. For example, the user may perform the process of marking the putter device 100 at home, especially when performing the process of establishing the zero point.

As used herein, the term “balance point” is used to define the position at which the putter device 100 comes to rest while being held at the pivot point. The balance point is used in each step of the process as the user stands on putting surfaces having various slopes.

As used herein, the term “pivot point” is used to define the location on the putter device 100 being held by the user. Often, the user will use their fingers to apply pressure at a defined location on the handle 300 or shaft 110 of the putter device 100. The pivot point may be changed based on the length of the putter device 100, shaft configuration, shaft material, balance point of the putter device 100, configuration of the putter head 119, style of grip, or other putter characteristics known in the arts.

In some embodiments, the user may utilize a mechanical means of holding the putter device 100, such as a clamp or other device which can hold the putter handle 300.

In some embodiments, the indices position on the putter head 119 may be calculated using the formula: (length of zero mark to X % indices)=tan (X %/100)*(length of pivot point to putter head 119). In such, the spacing of the indices on the putter head 119 is standardized based on the aforementioned equation. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrates a schematic of a user determining a zero point on the putter head 119 using the processes described below. In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates the putter device 100 being held at a pivot point 101 (such as the handle 300). The dominant eye 103 of the user 105 is aligned with a reference object 107 found or positioned on the non-sloping putting surface 109. Without limitation, throughout herein the term non-sloping putting surface 109 may interchangeably and alternatively be referred to as a surface 109 external to the putter device 100 and/or an external surface 109. The putting surface 109 may have a slope amount, and the slope amount of the putting surface 109 may be about equal to zero percent slope, substantially equal to zero percent slope, and/or equal to zero percent slope. The user 105 first stands on a non-sloping putting surface 109 (i.e., a surface having a 0% slope) with their fingers holding the grip of the putter device 100. The reference object 107 is to be positioned equidistant of the left and right feet 113,115 of the user 105 while the dominant eye 103 is positioned in vertical alignment with the reference object 107. A zero point 117 may then be marked on the putter head 119 at the location wherein the reference object 107, zero point 117 and dominant eye 103 vertically align. Without limitation, throughout herein the term zero point 117 may alternatively and interchangeably be referred to as a first alignment marking 117 and/or a centerline marking 117.

One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the indices may be provided on either side of the putter head 119 (i.e., the putter face, or the rear side of the putter device 100 which opposes the face in the example of a blade-style putter device 100). Other putter styles may allow for indices to be provided on various sides and surfaces of the putter device 100 in accordance with the teachings provided herein.

In some embodiments, the indices may be objectively or subjectively marked onto the putter device 100. While embodiments are described wherein the indices are specifically calculated and marked, one skilled in the arts will readily understand that the indices may be marked using manual means which are not defined by mathematical concepts.

FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic of a user 105 assessing the slope of a sloped putting surface 120 and determining the position of a plurality of slope markings on the putter head 119. Without limitation, through herein, the term sloped putting surface 120 may alternatively and/or interchangeably be referred to herein as a surface 120 external to the putter device 100 having a slope and/or as a sloped external surface 120. In contrast to FIG. 1A, the user in FIG. 1B is standing on a sloped putting surface 120 which allows the user to accurately mark an alignment marking corresponding to the slope of the putting surface. When standing on a sloped putting surface 120, the putter head 119 will naturally (through the forces of gravity) pivot towards the downhill side when the putter device 100 is held above the sloped putting surface. The more slope that the putting surface has, the further the putter head 119 will pivot, allowing the user to mark a plurality of indices on the putter head 119 which correspond to various known slope angles of the putting surface.

In FIG. 1B, the balance point 130 of the putter head 119 has shifted away from the zero point 117. The new balance point 130 may be used to mark the indices on the putter device 100 which correspond to the slope of the sloped putting surface 120.

In some embodiments, the zero point may be assessed using an apparatus which holds the putter device 100 and allows the putter device 100 to move in a pendulum-style motion. This allows the putter device 100 to reach a balance point over a 0% slope surface. A plumb laser is arranged to intersect the pivot point and the zero point on the top of the putter head 119. As the surface is sloped in one direction, the indices can be marked on the putter head 119. In an alternative example, the placement of the indices can be calculated using the formula: (length of zero mark to X % indices)=tan (X %/100)*(length of pivot point to putter head 119).

In some embodiments, to establish a value for each of the indices on the putter head 119, the user may either use a putting surface having a known slope or may construct a surface which has a known slope. For example, the user may use a surface which can be systematically altered to have various slopes (e.g., 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5° etc, and/or 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% etc.). This method may provide an accurate means of marking the putter head 119 such that each of the indices corresponds to an accurate slope measurement. This process may also be performed using technical equipment utilized by the manufacturer of the putter device 100. In another example, the user may simply estimate the slope of a putting surface using a digital, laser, and/or various types of mechanical levels (i.e., bubble levels, water levels, etc.).

Holding the putter device 100 in the described manner allows the putter head 119 to move in a pendulum fashion above the ground (i.e., the putting surface). The pendulum movement of the putter head 119 occurs as the user moves from a flat (i.e., a non-sloped) putting surface to a sloped putting surface, causing the putter head 119 to pivot due to the force of gravity.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the putter head 119 and markings 210 wherein the putter head 119 is being held above the zero point while the user is standing on various slopes. In particular, FIG. 2A shows a putting surface having a 0% slope. The reference object 107 in the illustrated example is shown having a vertical alignment with the markings 210 immediately right of the putter face 200 of the putter device 100. While the illustrated example shows the zero point being positioned at the first indices immediately right of the putter face 200, the balance of the putter device 100, configuration of the shaft 110, and other factors may cause the zero point to differ for each putter device 100. In such, it is important that the user follows the steps for establishing the zero point as described herein.

FIG. 2B-2E illustrates the putter head 119 and markings 210 wherein the reference object is aligned at a indices which is not at the zero point. FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate how the putter head 119 pivots in a pendulum motion as the slope of the putting surface changes. The user may then utilize the markings 210 to determine the slope of the putting surface and, in conjunction with other methods, determine a starting line for their putt (or general path that they intend the ball to travel along throughout the putt) using the assessed angle. For the purposes of the description of the present invention throughout herein, without limitation, the term marking 210 may alternatively and/or interchangeably be referred to as an alignment marking 210 and/or a decorative marking 210.

It should be understood, without limitation, that reference to percentage slope, degrees, and degrees of slope may be utilized alternatively and/or interchangeably in the embodiments of the present invention described herein. As such, it is contemplated, without limitation, that embodiments of the present invention that refer to, utilize, and/or include degrees or degrees of slope for one or more of its features, may alternatively and/or interchangeably be configured and/or operable to utilize and/or include a percentage and/or percentage of slope for such feature(s), and vice versa, while still achieving all the goals and advantageous of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a step of the process for marking the putter head 119, wherein the user has identified a reference object 107 on the non-sloping putting surface 109. The reference object is positioned equidistant to the user's feet 113,115. It is to be understood that the reference object may be a naturally occurring reference object found on the putting surface or may be manually placed by the user (such as by using a tee, ball marker, or other item). Once the reference object 107 has been identified and the feet are properly positioned equidistant to the object, the user then holds the putter device 100 at a pivot point such that the putter head 119 is suspended above the reference object (as shown in FIG. 3B). In particular, FIG. 3B shows the user holding the handle 300 using their fingers to allow the putter head 119 to pivot in a pendulum-style motion based on the slope of the putting surface. FIG. 3C shows the user holding the handle 300 on the centerline of their body near their waist 310 which may be sufficient to suspend the putter head 119 above the reference object. (However, it is to be understood that the length of the shaft 110 of the putter device 100 is important when determining an appropriate pivot point to hold the putter device 100. For example, longer putter device 100 shafts 110 may require that the user hold the putter device 100 at a higher point (or simply hold the putter device 100 below the handle 300).

In general, the putter head 119 is held at a minimal distance above the putting surface to retain accuracy when performing the task of marking the putter head 119 or assessing the slope. To retain accuracy, the putter head 119 is held at a minimal distance above the putting surface.

FIG. 3D illustrates a step of the process for marking the putter head 119, wherein the user is holding the putter head 119 above the reference object 107 to vertically align the putter head 119 with the reference object and balance point. To accomplish this, the user will allow the putter head 119 to rest at the balance point to establish a zero point on the putter head 119. The user may then (as shown in FIG. 3E) mark the putter head 119 using an applicator 320 (such as a semi-permanent marker or paint, a permanent groove, engraving, or protrusion, or other marking). It is to be understood that the zero point 117 may change based on various putter device 100 characteristics and that its location shown in FIG. 3E is used for exemplary purposes.

The applicator 320 may be a marker used to apply an ink or other marking on the putter head 119. However, the applicator 320 may be defined as any means of applying the indices to the putter head 119 (e.g., paint, engraving, protrusion, etc.).

FIG. 3F illustrates the template device 350 and putter device 100. The template device 350 and/or template device 350 may be any measuring device and may take the form of a tape measure, ruler, or similar implement. The template device 350 includes various linear measurement markings 352 which may correspond to a slope measurement. It should be understood, without limitation, that the phrase “linear measurement markings 352” and/or “linear measurement” is not limited by the use of the term “linear,” and as such, the term linear measurement marking 352 may alternatively and interchangeably be referred to throughout herein as a measurement marking 352 and/or a measurement display 352. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the linear measurement illustrated in FIG. 3F may be adjusted based on the user's needs and are non-limiting in scope. FIG. 3G illustrates the user marking the putter head 119 using the applicator 320 and template device 350.

FIGS. 3A-3F are illustrated from the user's dominant eye perspective, showing the view the user would have when implementing the steps of the process described herein.

In some embodiments, the template device 350 may include a plurality of openings 354/measurement guide increments 354/measurement markings 354, which may allow the user to mark the putter device 100 using the applicator 320. It should be understood, without limitation, that the openings 354/measurement markings 354 may comprise one or more of an opening through one or more portions of the template device 350 and/or one or more of a marking or indicator on one or more portions of the template device 350.

In some embodiments, the template device 350 may not include the openings and may simply include reference lines which corresponds to the linear measurement markings to allows the user to accurately mark the putter head 119. More simple embodiments may not include reference lines and may only display the linear measurement markings.

In some embodiments, the template device 350 may include an adhesive to retain the template device 350 on the putter head 119. In other embodiments, the template device 350 does not include an adhesive, allowing the user to position the template device 350 in a suitable position and move the template device 350 if needed. It is to be understood that while the illustrates show the template device 350 being positioned on top of the putter head 119, the template device 350 may be positioned to the side of the putter device 100. The template device 350 is easily manipulated by the user such that it can be positioned suitably for marking various styles of putters including mallet-style, blade-style, and other styles of putters known in the arts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a blade-style putter device 100 having the indices for assessing the slope of the putting surface. Regardless of the putter's size, configuration, shape, or other characteristics, the system and methods described above may be implemented. When using a blade-style putter 400 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user will turn the putter head 119 such that the hosel 401 is oriented towards the downhill side 405 of the slope of the putting surface 120/external surface 120/surface 120 external to the putter device 100, and the tip 407/toe 407 of the putter device 100 is oriented towards the uphill side 409 of the putting surface 120/external surface 120/surface 120 external to the putter device 100. This orientation allows the user to mark indices on the top surface of the putter head 119 in parallel with the putter face 200. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a mallet-style putter 500 having a curved shape wherein indices are provided on a curved side 501 of the putter head 119. In this embodiment, the template device 350 may be similar to the example shown and described above or may be curved with marking scaled appropriately to enable the user to mark accurate indices on the putter head 119.

It is to be understood by one skilled in the arts that the methods and system disclosed herein can be used with any style of putter device 100 including blade-style putters, mallet-style putters, or other variations of putters and putter heads 119. Some putters combine elements of a mallet and blade. These putters have a larger head size, often resembling a half-mallet, with a higher moment of inertia (MOI) for added stability and forgiveness. This design can benefit golfers with various stroke types. This type of putter device 100 is known as a “Half Mallet.” In this apparatus it is referred to as a “Wing”.

The system and methods described herein can be used with putters having various balance systems. For example, the system and method can be used with counterbalanced, face-balanced, toe-weighted, heel weighted, center-shafted and other putters constructed having various balance configurations.

The system and methods described herein can be used with putters having various grip types, shaft 110 types, shapes, materials, and components. For example, the grip may be a circle grip, oval grip, flat oval grip, pistol grip, flat wide grip, modified pistol grip, or triangular grip. The grip options provide diverse tactile experiences and cater to distinct golfer preferences. Further, the grip may be counterbalanced, split, forward press, non-tapered, customizable, ergonomic, corded, hybrid, wrap style, lightweight, ribbed, or oversized.

The systems and methods can be used with any grip material including silicone, rubber, leather, gel, cork, isoprene, or synthetic rubbers.

In some embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein can be used with various putter shaft 110 technologies and configurations known in the arts. The putter shaft 110 characteristics may include rivets, thin-shaft 110 configurations, thick shaft 110 configurations, and the like. Further, the shaft 110 length may be modified to suit the golfers needs. Shaft 110 materials can include graphite, titanium, aluminum, steel, or combinations of materials. The shaft 110 placement may be onset, offset, center set, or other known configurations can be used while remaining effective for the system and methods described in this disclosure.

Now referring to FIGS. 1A-5, the putter device 100, which may be alternatively referred to as “device 100,” may include a shaft 110, a handle 300, a putter head 119, a reference point 330, and/or one or more of an alignment marking 117. The handle 300 may be carried by and/or positioned on an upper portion of the shaft 110, and the putter head 119 may be carried by and/or positioned on a lower portion of the shaft 110. In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference point 330 may be defined adjacent to and/or on the handle 300. For example, and without limitation, the reference point 330 may be defined by the grip and/or hand position that a user of the putter device 100 has when and/or while the user is using the putter device 100.

More Specifically, without limitation, when and/or while a user is using and/or operating the putter device 100 to measure slope, the user may have their hand(s) placed on the handle 300 as illustratively shown in FIG. 3B. As such, in some embodiments of the present invention, and without limitation, the reference point 330 may have a position that is on and/or adjacent to a portion of the user's hand and/or finger that may be positioned between a portion of the handle 300 and the putter head 119 illustratively shown in FIG. 3B. As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the reference point 330 as defined by the user's hand placement may be associated with and/or related to a pivot point 101 of the putting device 100.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference point 330 may comprise a marking positioned and/or located on an upper portion and/or upper surface of the handle 300. The alignment markings 117 and/or markings 117 may be positioned on and/or located on the putter head 119. Each alignment markings 117 may be associated with a slope measurement amount, such as, and without limitation, a percentage amount of slope.

As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the percentage amount of slope may be defined as a percentage slope grade of a surface relative to a substantially flat surface, which would have a slope equal to about zero percent slope. For example, without limitation, one or more of the alignment markings 117 may be associated with a percentage slope amount of one percent, two percent, three percent, four percent, five percent, six percent, seven percent, eight percent, nine percent, and/or ten percent, and so on.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the putter head 119 may include a lower surface 331 and/or bottom surface 331. The lower surface 331 of the putter head 119 may be facing away from the handle 300 of the device 100, such that, the lower surface 331 may be facing in a direction away from the handle 300 and/or facing in a direction that is directed substantially opposite from the handle 300.

The alignment marking 210 may be used and/or may be operable to indicate a slope amount of a surface 120 that is external to the device 100 by facially aligning the bottom surface 331 of the putter head 119 with the surface 120 to cause the refence point 330 and the alignment marking 210 to be aligned, which may comprise and alignment along a shared vertical plane. The vertical plane may comprise a plane, such as a vertical plane that may be aligned with and parallel to the direction of gravity, such that, the shared vertical plane may be referred to as an absolute vertical plane, without limitation. Upon the absolute vertical plane being aligned with the reference point 330 and the alignment marking 210, the absolute vertical plane may be defined as a shared absolute vertical plane. Upon the reference point 330 and the alignment marking 210 being aligned with each other, which may comprise an alignment along the shared absolute vertical plane, the slope amount of the surface 120 external to the device 100 may be indicated by the alignment marking 210 along the shared absolute vertical plane with the reference point 330 based on the slope measurement amount associated with the alignment marking 210, which may be referenced to indicate that the slope amount of the surface 120 may be about equal to the slope measurement amount associated with the alignment marking 210.

The device 100 may include more than one alignment marking 210, which may be positioned on and/or located on the putter head 119 of the device. Each alignment marking 210 may be associated with its own respective slope measurement amount. As such, each markings 210 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that is different and unique from the slope measurement amounts associated with any of the other markings 210. For example, without limitation, the markings 210 may be each uniquely associated with a slope amount of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% and etc, etc. As such, each one of the markings 210 may indicate that a surface 120 external to the device 100 has a slope amount that is about equal to the respective slope measurement associated with that alignment marking 210 while that alignment marking 210 out of all the markings 210 of the device 100 is aligned with the reference point 330, which may comprise and alignment along a shared absolute vertical plane while the bottom surface 331 of the putter head 119 of the device 100 is aligned with and/or facially aligned with the surface 120.

The reference point 330 may be at a position such that the reference point 330 may be aligned with a first marking 117 of the markings 210, which may comprise and alignment along a shared absolute vertical plane, while the lower surface of the head 119 of the device 100 is positioned on and aligned with and/or facially aligned with a surface 120 (such as a ground surface) that has a slope amount that is about equal to zero.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the markings 210 may include a first marking 117 and/or a first alignment marking 117. The slope amount associated with the first marking 117 may comprise a slope amount about equal to zero. The first marking 117 may comprise a reference to which each of the other markings 210 may be positioned and/or located on the device 100/putter head 119. For example, without limitation, each alignment marking 210 may be positioned on the putter head 119 at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the first marking 117. The predetermined distance that each alignment marking 210 is positioned away from the first marking 117 may be a predetermined distance that is different and unique from the predetermined distances that each of the other alignment markings 210 are positioned away from the first marking 117, such that, each alignment marking 210 is positioned away from the first alignment marking 210 at a predetermined distance away from the first marking 117 different from the predetermined distance of the other markings 210.

The predetermined distance for each alignment marking 210 to be positioned away from the first marking 117 may be based on the slope measurement amount associated with the alignment marking 210 and the distance between an upper portion of the putter head 119 and a pivot point 101 of the device 100. The pivot point 101 of the device 100 may comprise a point and/or axis located near and/or within the head 119 where the device 100 may pivot around and/or about while the lower surface 331 of the head 119 is positioned onto a surface and the handle 300 is moved in a substantially horizontal direction while the head 119 is maintaining significant contact with the surface. The slope measurement amounts to be associated with each alignment marking 210 may be predetermined and/or preselected. The distance between the upper surface of the head 119 and the pivot point 101 of the device 100 may preselected and/or predetermined. The total number of markings 210 included and/or to include on a device 100 may be preselected and/or predetermined.

Now referring to FIGS. 3B, 3F, and 6-26 more specifically, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of a variety of different markings 210 and/or a variety of different putter heads 119. Embodiments of the present invention may include markings 210 positioned on and/or located on one or more side portions and/or side areas of the head 119 and/or on the upper surface of the head 119. For example, and without limitation, each marking 210 of the device 100 may comprise one or more of a letter, a number, a symbol, a word, a phrase, a name, a logo, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an illustration, a pattern, an element that may be primarily ornamental, a surface element, an element that may be integrated with the putter device 100/head 199, an element that may be at least partially extending from the putter device 100/head 199, a physical characteristic of the putter device 100/head 199, an element that may be positioned adjacent to at least one side portion of the putter device 100/head 199, a linear marking, a marking, an outer structure, a line, a dot, an image, a visual depiction, an arrow, a stripe, a grid element, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a notch, a cutout, a peripheral marker, a textured element, an embedded visual element, an adjustable marking, a contrasting element, a groove, a gradient display, a holographic element, a negative space, an element visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter device 100/head 199, and/or a portion of the putter device visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter device 100/head 199 and/or any combination(s) thereof, which may be referred to herein, without limitation, either individually, in combination, and/or in any combination thereof as marking types/marking type.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments of the present invention the head 600 of the device 100 may include a curve shaped rear portion 604, majority curved heel 601 and toe 602, and/or a face 605 at a forward portion 603 of the head 600. The device 100 may include a hosel 606/shaft 606 attached to mid area of an upper portion 613 and/or upper surface 614 of the head 600. The device 100 with head 600 may include a pattern 610 of alignment markings 611 positioned and/or located on the head 600 and/or on a portion of the upper portion 613 and/or upper surface 614 of the head 600. The pattern 610 of alignment markings 611 may be proximal to the forward portion 603 and/or face 605 of the head 600. The indica 611 may include a first alignment marking 612, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount of zero percent slope.

The pattern 610 of alignment markings 611/the alignment markings 611 as illustratively shown in FIG. 6 may comprise one or more marking types such as, and without limitation, a symbol, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an element that may be primarily ornamental, a surface element, an element integrated with the putter device 100/head 600, a physical characteristic of the putter device 100/head 600, a linear marking, a line, a stripe, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a cutout, a contrasting element, a groove, and/or a holographic element and/or any other marking type(s) and/or any combination(s) thereof as may be understood by one who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may comprise a head 700 such as the head illustratively shown in FIG. 7. The head 700 may include a heel 703, a toe 704, a face 705, a forward portion 707, and/or a rearward portion 708. The device 100 may include a hosel 706/shaft 706 that may be attached to a mid-area and/or mid portion of the upper portion 709 and/or upper surface 710 of the head 700. The device 100 may include one or more alignment markings 702. The alignment markings 702 may be located on and/or positioned on the upper portion 709 and/or upper surface 710 of the head 700, and the alignment markings 702 may be at a position on the head 700 proximate to the face 705 and/or forward portion 707 of the head 700. The alignment marking 702 may include a first alignment marking 701, 117 that may be associated with a measurement slope amount that may be equal to a slope of zero percent. Each alignment marking 702 may have a size, shape, length, and/or dimensions that may be different from the size, shape, length, and/or dimensions of adjacent alignment markings 702.

The alignment markings 702 as illustratively shown in FIG. 7 may comprise one or more alignment marking types such as, and without limitation, a symbol, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an element that may be primarily ornamental, a surface element, an element integrated with the putter device 100/head 700, a physical characteristic of the putter device 100/head 700, a linear marking, a line, a stripe, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a cutout, a contrasting element, a groove, and/or a holographic element and/or any other marking type(s) and/or any combination(s) thereof as may be understood by one who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may include a head 800 such as the head illustratively shown in FIG. 8. The head 800 may include a heel 801, a toe 803, a face 804, a forward portion 805, a rearward portion 806, and an upper portion 808/upper surface 809. The device may include a hosel 802 and/or shaft 802 that is attached at a lower portion thereof to the head 800 adjacent the heel 801. The head 800 may include alignment markings 807 located on and/or position on the upper portion 808 and/or upper surface 809 of the head 800, and the alignment markings 807 may have an end portion there proximate to the face 804 and/or forward portion 805 of the head 800 and extending towards the rearward portion 806 of the head 800. The alignment markings 807 may include a first alignment marking 810, 117. Each alignment marking 807 may include a may have a size, shape, length, and/or dimensions that may be different from the size, shape, length, and/or dimensions of adjacent alignment markings 807.

The alignment markings 807 as illustratively shown in FIG. 8 may comprise one or more alignment marking types such as, and without limitation, a symbol, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an element that may be primarily ornamental, a surface element, an element integrated with the putter device 100/head 800, a physical characteristic of the putter device 100/head 800, a linear marking, a line, a stripe, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a cutout, a contrasting element, a groove, and/or a holographic element and/or any other marking type(s) and/or any combination(s) thereof as may be understood by one who may have skill in the art.

Further, it is contemplated, without limitation, that any of the alignment markings and/or decorative items described herein may comprise a temporary alignment marking and/or a temporary decorative item, such that, the alignment marking(s)/decorative item(s) may be removably attached, carried by, and/or positioned on an embodiment of the present invention and may be removed separate and apart from one or more of the other components of the embodiment. For example, without limitation, a temporary alignment marking and/or a temporary decorative item may be removably attached, carried by, and/or positioned on a putter head of an embodiment of the present invention, and the temporary alignment marking and/or temporary decorative item may be removed from the putter head. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that such temporary alignment markings/decorative items are advantageous for training purposes and for instances where permanent and/or semi-permanent alignment markings/decorative items would not be preferred.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may include a head 900 as illustratively shown in FIG. 9. The head 900 may include one or more of a face 901, a heel 906, a toe 907, a side portion 902 distal from the heel 906, and a rearward portion 908. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 904 located on and/or positioned on the head 900. The decoration items 903, 904 may include an alignment marking 903 located proximal to the face 901, and/or the decoration items 904 may include one or more decoration items 904 located proximal to the side portion 902 of the head 900, proximal to the toe 907 and distal to the heel 906. The alignment marking 903 may be positioned adjacent to, and may indicate, a center-line area of the face 901. The decoration items 904 may include a first decoration item 905, 117 that may be associated with a measurement slope amount equal to about zero percent slope.

The decoration item(s) 904 may each be associated with a slope measurement amount and may be positioned to individually align with the reference point 330 along a shared absolute vertical plane to indicate a slope amount associated with that decoration item 904 of a surface 109, 120 external to the device 100. Without limitation, although the decoration items 904 are illustratively shown in FIG. 9 as comprising cut-outs and/or blind holes embedded into and/or integrated with the head 900, the decoration items 904 may comprise and one or more of the decoration item types as described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention that device 100 may include a head 1000 such as the head 1000 illustratively shown in FIG. 10. The head 1000 may comprise similar features as the head 900 as described herein and as illustrated in FIG. 9. For example, without limitation, the head 1000 may include a forward portion 1003, a heel 1007, a toe 1008, and upper portion 1005, and/or an upper surface 1006. The head 1000 may further include a center-line area alignment marking 1002 located adjacent to, and to indicate, a center-line area of the forward portion 1003 of the head 1000. The device 100 may also include one or more decoration items 1004 positioned on and/or located on the head 1000 and/or on the upper portion 1005/upper surface 1006 of the head 1000.

Each decoration item 1004 of the decoration items 1004 may be associated with a slope measurement amount. The decoration items 1004 may include a first decoration item 1105 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount about equal to zero percent slope. The decoration items 1004 may comprise a decoration item type, such as, and without limitation, a decoration item type comprising a dot decoration item that may be positioned on and/or embedded into the head 1000. However, it is contemplated and understood that the decoration items 1004 may comprise any one or more decoration item type(s) as described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 1100 as illustratively shown in FIG. 11. The head 1100 may comprise a rectangular shape, and may include one or more of a rearward portion 1103, a forward portion 1104, a heed 1106, a toe 1107, an upper portion 1108, and/or an upper surface 1109. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1102 that may be positioned on and/or located on the head 1100. The decoration items 1102 may include an alignment marking 1101 that may be positioned along a portion of the upper surface 1109 of the head 1100 and along a center-line area of the head 1100. An end portion of the alignment marking 1101 may be proximal to the rearward portion 1103 of the head 1100 and may be extending therefrom towards the forward portion 1104 of the head 1100.

The decoration items 1102 may be positioned on and/or located on a portion of the upper surface 1109 of the head 1100 adjacent to the rearward portion 1103 of the head 1100. Each of the decoration items 1102 may be associated with a respective slope measurement amount. The decoration items 1102 may include a first decoration item 1105, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a slope amount of zero percent. Without limitation, the alignment marking 1101 may have a decoration item type comprising a line marking, and the decoration items 1102 may comprise a decoration item type comprising a dot decoration item, as illustratively shown in FIG. 11. However, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1102 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item types described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 1200 as illustratively shown in FIG. 12. The head 1200 may include a side portion 1203, a forward portion 1204, a heel 1206, a toe 1207, and an upper surface 1208. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1202 that may be positioned on and/or located on the head 1200 and/or on or at the upper surface 1109 of the head 1200. The decoration items 1202 may include an alignment marking 1201 that may have one end portion thereof positioned adjacent to a center-line area of the forward portion 1204 of the head 1200, and the alignment marking 1201 may be extending from the forward portion 1204 of the head 1200 along a center-line area of the upper surface 1208 of the head 1200.

The decoration items 1202 may include one or more decoration items 1202 that may be positioned along and/or proximal to the toe 1207 and/or side portion 1203 of the head 1200. Each of the decoration items 1202 may be associated with a slope measurement amount, and the decoration items 1202 may include a first decoration item 1205, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that is about equal to zero percent slope. Without limitation, as illustratively shown in FIG. 12, the decoration items 1202, 1205, 117 may comprise a decoration item type comprising numbers. However, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1202, 1205, 117 may comprise any one or more of the decoration items type(s) described herein, without limitation.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may include a head 1300 as illustratively shown in FIG. 13. The head 1300 may include a heel 1306, a toe 1307, a side portion 1303, and a forward portion 1304. The head 1300 may include a forward alignment marking 1301 located proximal to the forward portion 1304 of the head 1300. The forward alignment marking 1301 may be positioned and/or used to indicate a center-line area of the head 1300 and/or of the forward portion 1304 of the head 1300. The head 1300 may include one or more decoration items 1302 positioned on and/or located on an upper surface of the head 1300 and positioned along and/or proximal to the side portion 1303 and/or toe 1307 of the head 1300.

The decoration items 1302 may each be associated with a respective slope measurement amount, and the decoration items 1302 may comprise a first decoration item 1305, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a zero percent slope. Each of the other decoration items 1302 may be positioned away from the first decoration item 1305, 117 by a respective predetermined distance relative to the first decoration item 1305, 117. As illustratively shown in FIG. 13, without limitation, the decoration items 1302, 1305 may each comprise dot decoration item types, however, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1302, 1305 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) as described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may include a head 1400 such as the head 1400 illustratively shown in FIG. 14. The head 1400 may include a side portion 1403, a forward portion 1404, a heel 1406, and a toe 1407. The head 1400 may include decoration items 1401 positioned on and/or located on an upper surface of the head 1400 and located proximal to the forward portion 1404 of the head 1400. The head 1400 may also include decoration items 1402 positioned on and/or located on an upper surface of the head 1400 and located proximal to the side portion 1403 and/or toe 1407 of the head 1400. The decoration items 1402 may include a respective first decoration item 1405, 117, and the decoration items 1401 may include a respective first decoration item 1405′, 117. Each of the decoration items 1401, 1402, 1405, 1405′, 117 may be associated with a slope measurement amount, and each of the first decoration items 1405, 1405′, 117 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a slope of zero percent.

The first decoration item 1405 of the decoration items 1402 may be used and/or operable to indicate when a surface 109, 120 external to the device 100 has a slope of zero percent traveling between the rearward portion and the forward portion 1604 of the head 1400 when the lower surface 331 of the head 1400 is aligned with and/or facially aligned with the surface 109, 120, and the first decoration item 1405′ of the decoration items 1041 may be used and/or operable to indicate when a slope 109, 120 external to the device 100 has a slope of zero percent traveling between the heel 1406 and the toe 1407 of the head 1400 when the lower surface 331 of the head 1400 is aligned with and/or facially aligned with the surface 109, 120. Although the decoration items 1401, 1402 are illustratively shown in FIG. 14 as comprising a decoration item type consisting of letters, it is contemplated and should be understood that the decoration items 1041, 1402 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) as described herein, without limitation.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device may comprise a head 1500 as illustratively shown in FIG. 15. The head 1500 may include a heel 1504, a toe 1505, and a side portion 1502. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1501 positioned on and/or located on the head 1500. The decoration items 1501 may be positioned on the upper surface of the head 1500 along and proximal to the toe 1505 and/or side portion 1502 of the head 1500. The decoration items 1501 may each be associated with a respective slope measurement amount. The decoration items 1501 may include a first decoration item 1503, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may comprise a slope amount of zero percent slope. Each of the other decoration items 1501 of the decoration items 1501 may be positioned a predetermined distance away from the first decoration item 1503, 117 by a respective predetermined distance relative to the first decoration item 1503, 117. As illustratively shown in FIG. 15, the decoration items 1501 may comprise a decoration item type consisting of a name, letters, words, and/or a phrase. However, without limitation, it is contemplated, and it should be understood that the decoration items 1501 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) as described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 1600 as illustratively shown in FIG. 16. The head 1600 may comprise a side portion 1603, a forward portion 1604, a heel 1606, and a toe 1607. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1602 positioned on and/or located on the head 1600 and/or on the upper surface of the head 1600. The decoration items 1602 may include an alignment marking 1601 that has one end portion positioned adjacent to and/or proximal to the forward portion 1604 of the head 1600 and extending along and indicating a center-line area of the upper surface of the head 1600.

The decoration items 1602 may be positioned on and/or located on the upper surface of the head 1600 in a substantially uniform pattern between the rearward portion and the forward portion 1604 of the head 1600 and adjacent the side portion 1607 of the head 1600. Each of the decoration items 1602 may be associated with a respective slope measurement amount. The decoration items 1602 may include a first decoration item 1605, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may comprise a slope amount that is about equal to zero percent slope. Each of the other decoration items 1602 may be positioned on the head 1600 by a respective predetermined distance extending between the decoration items 1602 and the first decoration item 1605, 117.

Without limitation, the alignment markings 1602 are illustratively shown in FIG. 16 as comprising a marking type consisting of dots arranged in a uniform straight row of dot markings, however, it is contemplated that the alignment markings 1602 may comprise any one or more of the marking type(s) as described herein in that may be arranged uniformly and/or nonuniformly with respect to each other and/or with respect to adjacent alignment markings 1602.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may include a head 1700 as illustratively shown in FIG. 17. The device 100 may include decoration items 1705 located on and/or positioned on an upper surface of the head 1700. The decoration items 1702 may include an alignment marking 1701 that is positioned with one end thereof positioned proximal to a forward portion 1704 of the head 1700 and extending toward the rearward portion of the head 1700 along, and indicating, a center-line area of the head 1700. The decoration items 1710, 1702 may include one or more decoration items 1702 positioned along and adjacent to the forward portion 1704 of the head 1700 between a heel 1706 and toe 1707 of the head 1700.

Each decoration item 1702 of the decoration items 1702 may be associated with a predetermined slope amount, and the decoration items 1702 may include a first decoration item 1705, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a slope of zero percent. Each decoration item 1702 of the decoration items 1702 may be positioned a distance away from the first decoration item 1705, 117 by a respective predetermined distance that may be unique to each decoration item 1702 and different from each other decoration item 1702. Without limitation, although the decoration items 1702 are illustratively shown in FIG. 17 as comprising the decoration item type consisting of dots, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1702 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) as may be understood by one who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may include a head 1800 as illustratively shown in FIG. 18. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1802 that may be positioned on and/or located on the head 1800 and/or on an upper surface of the head 1800. The decoration items 1802 may include an alignment marking 1801 extending from the forward portion 1804 of the head 1800 towards a rearward portion of the head along, and indicating, a center-line area of the head 1800.

The decoration items 1802 may include one or more other decoration items 1802 positioned extending between a side portion 1803/toe 1807 of the head 1800 and a heel 1806 of the head 1800. The decoration items 1802 may include a first decoration item 1805, 117. Each of the decoration items 1802, 1805, 117 may be associated with a measurement slope amount, and the first decoration item 1805, 117 may be associated with a measurement slope amount that may be about equal to zero. Each of the other decoration items 1802 may be positioned one the head 1800 according to a predetermined distance with respect to the position of the first decoration item 1805, 117. Without limitation, although the decoration items 1802, 1805, 117 are illustratively shown in FIG. 18 as comprising the decoration item type consisting of stripes and/or lines, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1802, 1805, 117 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 1900 as illustratively shown in FIG. 19. The device 100 may include an alignment marking 1901 located on the head 1880 the is extending from a forward portion 1904 of the head 1900 towards a rearward portion of the head 1900 along, and indicating, a center-line area of the head 1900. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 1902 located at the head 1900 and extending through one or more portions of the head 1900. The decoration items 1902 may be extending through respective portions of the upper surface of the head 1900 towards and out from respective portions of the lower surface 331 of the head 1900. As illustratively shown in FIG. 19, the decoration items 1902 may have a decoration item type consisting of one or more geometric shapes that may include one or more distinctive elements, such as, and without limitations, edges and/or corners.

However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the decoration items 1902 may comprise one or more decoration item type as described herein, and which may comprise any other or similar distinctive element(s) thereof/therein as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. Further without limitation, although it is illustratively shown in FIG. 19 that the distinctive elements of the decoration items 1902 comprise the lower corners of the geometric shapes extending through the head 1900, it is contemplated that the distinctive elements may comprise any other distinctive feature of the decoration items 1902. For example, without limitation, in some embodiments of the present invention the distinctive elements of the decoration items 1902 may comprise the upper corners of the geometric shaped decoration items 1902.

The decoration items 1902 one or more may comprise a first decoration item 1905. One or more of the edges and/or corners of the decoration items 1902, 1905 may be associated with a measurement slope amount, and the first decoration item 1905 may comprise an edge and/or corner that is associated with a measurement slope amount that may be about equal to zero percent slope. Each of the distinctive elements of the other decoration items 1902 may be positioned a respective distance away from the position of the distinctive element of the first decoration item 1905 that is associated with the slope measurement amount that is about equal to zero percent slope.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 2000 as illustratively shown in FIG. 20. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 2002 that may be positioned on and/or located on and/or at the head 2000/upper surface of the head 2000. The decoration items 2002 may include an alignment marking 2001 that has an end thereof positioned proximate to, and to indicate, a center area of a forward portion 2005 of the head 2000, and the alignment marking 2001 may be extending from the forward portion 2005 of the head 2000 towards the rearward portion of the head 2000 along, and to indicate, a center-line area of the upper surface of the head 2000.

The decoration items 2002 may include one or more decoration items 2002 that are extending from a portion of the heel 2004 of the head 2000 and/or from a portion of the toe 2003 of the head 2000 toward a mid-area of the head 2000 and/or of the upper surface of the head 2000. Each decoration item 2002 of the decoration items 2002 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that is different and unique from the slope measurement amounts that associated with each other decoration item 2002 of the decoration items 2002. The decoration items 2002 may include a first decoration item 2006, 117 that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a zero percent slope amount.

Each of the decoration items 2002 may be positioned on the head 2000 according to a predetermined distance that each decoration item 2002 is to be positioned away from the position of the first decoration item 2006, 117. As illustratively shown in FIG. 20, the decoration items 2002, 2006, 117 may comprise decoration item type(s) such as lines, stripes, elements visually contrasted with other portions of the head 2000, and etc., however, without limitation, it is contemplated that the decoration items 2002, 2006, 117 may comprise one or more of any decoration item type(s) as described herein, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may include a head 2100 as illustratively shown in FIG. 21. The head 2100 may include a toe 2102, a forward portion 2103, and/or a heel 2104. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 2101 related to the shape and/or form of the head 2100. In some embodiments of the present invention, the head 2100 may include one or more decoration items 2101 embedded therein, formed therein, and/or integrated therewith. As illustratively shown in FIG. 21, the measurement decoration items may comprise the tips of the angular side portions of the head 2100, which may include either the angular tips along the toe 2102 of the head 2100 and/or the angular tips along the heel 2104 of the head 2100.

Each of the decoration items 2101 may be associated with a slope amount measurement, and the decoration items 2101 may include a first decoration items 2105, 117 that may be associate with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a zero percent slope amount. Each decoration item 2101 of the decoration items 2101 may be positioned a distance away from and relative to the first decoration item 2105, 117. The predetermined distance of each decoration item 2101 may be in relation to the slope measurement amount associated with the decoration item 2101. Although the decoration items 2101 illustratively shown in FIG. 21 show the decoration items as elements embedded with and/or integrated with the head 2100, without limitation, it is contemplated that the decoration items 2101 may comprise one or more of any of the decoration item type(s) described herein and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may include a head 2200 as illustratively shown in FIG. 22. The device 100 may include one or more decoration items 2202 located on the head 2200. The decoration items 2202 may be positioned adjacent to one or more of the toe 2201 of the head 2200 and/or adjacent to the heel 2203 of the head 2200. The decoration items 2202 may include an alignment marking 2205 that has an end thereof positioned proximate to, and to indicate, a center area of a forward portion 2204 of the head 2200. The decoration items 2202 may comprise an illustration/design/pattern/image/picture with distinctive elements therein that may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be indicate with used in conjunction with the reference point 330 defined adjacent to and/or on the handle 300 of the device 100.

A portion of the decoration items 2202 may comprise a first decoration item 2206, 117 that comprises one or more distinctive elements that may be associated with a slope amount that may be equal to about zero which may indicate that a surface 109, 120 external to the device has such a zero percent slope amount in cooperation with the reference point 330 defined adjacent to and/or on the handle 300 as described herein. Each of the distinctive elements of the decoration items 2202 may be at a position that is a distance away from the distinctive element(s) of the first decoration item 2206, 117 according to a predetermined distance that may be in relation to the slope measurement amount associated with that decoration item 2202/distinctive element of the decoration item 2202.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 22, the measurement decoration item may comprise a primarily decorative design comprising a plurality of circular shapes arranged in a pattern of decreasing size forming a depiction of a gradient of shapes. However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the decoration items 2202, 2206, 117 may comprise any one or more of the decoration item types and described herein and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device may comprise a head 2300 as illustratively shown in FIGS. 23-24. The device 100 may include decoration items 2302 located on and/or positioned on the head 2300 and/or on the upper surface of the head 2300. The decoration items 2302 may include an alignment marking 2301 that may be positioned substantially adjacent to, and indicating, a central area of the forward portion 2307 of the head 2300. The alignment marking 2301 may be extending from the forward portion 2307 toward the rearward portion of the head 2300 and extending along, and indicating, a center-line area of the head 2300.

The decoration items 2302 may include one or more decoration items 2302 that may be positioned on the upper surface of the head 2300. The decoration items 2302 may be adjacent to one or more of the toe 2304 and/or heel 2305 of the head 2300. As illustratively shown in FIG. 23, the decoration items 2302 may comprise a depiction of a gradient that may show a gradual difference in its shade and/or color between two end portions of the decoration items 2302, such as, and without limitation, depicting a gradient from dark to light from the forward portion of the decoration items 2302 towards the rearward portion of the decoration items 2302.

The gradient of the decoration items 2302 may be associated with a gradient amount of slope measurements between an upper slope amount and a lower slope amount. For example, and without limitation, a forward portion 2306 of the decoration items 2302 may be associated with a lower slope amount and the rearward portion of the decoration items 2302 may be associated with an upper slope amount. The lower slope amount may comprise a slope amount that is about equal to zero percent slope. Each portion of the decoration items 2302 between the forward portion 2306 and the rearward portion may be associated with a respective slope measurement amount that is between the lower slope amount and the upper slope amount, what may be according to a predetermined distance that the portion of the decoration items 2302 is away from the forward portion 2306 of the decoration items 2302.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 2400 as illustratively shown in FIG. 24. The head 2400 may have similar features and/or functions as described for head 2300 shown in FIG. 23. However, the head 2400 may include only one decoration item 2302 that comprises a displayed gradient. As such, the decoration items 2302 of the head 2400 may be positioned adjacent to one of either the toe 2304 or the heel 2305 of the head 2400, such as in FIG. 24, which shows the decoration items 2302 positioned on the upper surface of the head 2300 adjacent to and alongside the toe 2304.

Without limitation, although the decoration items 2302 illustratively shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 comprising a depiction of a gradient are shown as a illustrations of solid shapes/lines that decrease in size and shape in respective order, it should be understood that this may represent a gradient decorative item 2302 as described herein that is shaded from dark to light from the forward portion of the decoration item 2302 towards the rearward portion of the decoration item 2302 that is compliant with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with regards to black-and-white lines drawings and shading.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 2500 as illustratively shown in FIG. 25. The head 2500 may have a non-uniform shape. The device 100 may include a decoration item pattern 2502 positioned on and/or located on an upper surface of the head 2500. The decoration item pattern 2502 may comprise a graphical design, image, and/or depiction, such as the mountainous landscape depiction illustratively shown in FIG. 25. The decoration item pattern 2502 may comprise one or more decoration items 2507. The head 2500 may include an alignment marking 2501 that has an end thereof positioned proximate to, and to indicate, a center area of a forward portion 2504 of the head 2500.

The decoration items 2507 may be located at portions of the decoration item pattern 2502 that may be visually distinct and/or pronounced and in visually contrasting to other portions of the decoration item pattern 2502. For example, as illustratively shown in FIG. 25, the decoration items 2507 may each comprise a tip of one of the mountains depicted in the decoration item pattern 2502.

The decoration items 2507 may include a first decoration item 2505 that may comprise the decoration item 2507, 2505 which is the closest in proximity to the forward portion 2504 of the head 2500. Each of the decoration items 2507, 2505 may be associated with a slope measurement amount, and the first decoration item 2505 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be about equal to a slope amount of zero percent. Each of the decoration items 2507 of the decoration item pattern 2502 may be positioned at predetermined distances away from the first decoration item 2505 according to the slope measurement amount associated with the decoration item 2507.

Although the decoration item pattern 2502 illustrated in FIG. 25 shows a depiction of a mountain landscape, without limitation, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may include a decoration item pattern 2302 that depicts any design, scenery, image and/or illustration as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art and may comprise any one or more of the decoration item type(s) as described herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention the device 100 may comprise a head 2600 as illustratively shown in FIG. 26. The head 2600 may include a forward portion 2604, a toe 2603, and a heel 2605. The device 100 may include one or more of a decoration item pattern 2502 comprising decoration items 2602 located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the head 2600. As illustratively shown in FIG. 26, the decoration item pattern 2502 may comprise an illustrative depiction, such as the graphical display of readings of an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor, without limitation, and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

The decoration item pattern 2602 may comprise one or more decoration items 2607 that may include and/or be located at a portion of the decoration item pattern 2602 which may be distinct from and/or visually contrasted with other portions of the decoration item pattern 2602. For example, as illustratively shown in FIG. 26, the decoration items 2607 may comprise the peak portions of the EKG graphical reading depiction of the decoration item pattern 2602. Each of the decoration items 2607 may be associated with a slope measurement amount. The head 2600 may include an alignment marking 2601 that has an end thereof positioned proximate to, and to indicate, a center area of a forward portion 2604 of the head 2600.

The decoration items 2607 may include a first decoration item 2606 that may be associated with a slope measurement about related to a slope measurement of zero percent. Each of the other decoration items 2607 of the decoration items 2607 may be positioned a distance away from the first decoration item 2606 according to a predetermined distance that may be associated with the slope measurement amount that is associated with the decoration item 2607.

As shown in FIGS. 6-26 and as described herein, in some embodiments of the present invention the decoration items/markings 210, 611, 702, 807, 904, 1004, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 1501, 1602, 1702, 1802, 1902, 2002, 2101, 2202, 2302, 2507, 2607 (alternatively and interchangeably referred to herein as “the Marking(s),” “the decoration item(s),” and/or “the alignment marking(s),” without limitation) may be positioned on and/or located on one or more portions of the head 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600 (alternatively and interchangeably referred to herein as “the Head,” and/or “the putter head,” without limitation).

For example, without limitation, in some embodiments of the present invention the Marking(s) may be located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the Head adjacent to one of the side portions of the Head, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 24, and 25. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the Marking(s) may be located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the Head along and/or adjacent to one of the two side portions of the Head such that Marking(s) are adjacent to both side portions of the Head, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 26. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the Marking(s) may be located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the Head adjacent to and/or along the forward portion of the Head, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 10, and 17. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the Marking(s) may be located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the Head adjacent to and/or along a rearward portion of the Head, as illustratively shown in FIG. 11. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the Marking(s) may be located on and/or positioned on the upper surface of the Head adjacent to and/or along the forward portion of the Head as well as one of the side portions of the Head such that Marking(s) are adjacent to both the forward and side portion of the Head, as illustratively shown in FIG. 14.

As described herein, the Marking(s) may be used and/or operable to indicate a slope amount of a surface 109, 120 that is external to the device 100 by facially aligning a lower surface of the Head with the surface 109, 120 such that at least one of the Marking(s) may be aligned with the reference point 330, which may comprise an alignment along a shared absolute vertical plane, and the shared absolute vertical plane may be extending longitudinally and/or laterally when viewing the Head from above the handle 300, which may indicate that the slope of the external surface 109, 120 may be about equal to the slope measurement amount associated with the Marking(s) that may be aligned with the reference point 330 along the shared absolute vertical plane.

Now referring to FIGS. 3F-3G, and 37, some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a template device 350, 3700, which may be alternatively and/or interchangeably referred to herein as a/the template device 3700, without limitation. The template device 3700 may be configured and/or utilized to retrofit a putter device 100 to cause the putter device 100 to be operable to measure and/or indicate a slope amount of a surface 109, 120 that is external to the device 100.

The template device 350, 3700 may include a template body 3703/body 3703, one or more measurement markings 3702, 3704, 354, and one or more measurement displays 3701, 352. The body 3703 may have a rigid structure. In some embodiments of the present invention the body 3703 may have a flexible structure. The body 3703 may have a geometric shape, such as, without limitation, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, and/or a curved shape. The body 3703 may comprise one or more materials. For example, without limitation, the body 3703 may comprise one or more materials such as papers, woods, plastics, cardboards, composites, metals, vinyl, alloys, acrylics, polycarbonates, acetal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, high-density polyethylene, mylar, Tyvek, and/or any other material as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

The measurement markings 3702 may be positioned on a portion of the body 3703. The measurement markings 3702 may be positioned in a row along a portion of the body 3703. The measurement markings 3702 may be proximate to, adjacent to, and/or positioned along a side portion of the body 3703. The measurement markings 3702 may include a first measurement marking 3704 and a plurality of remaining measurement markings 3702. Each remaining measurement marking 3702 may be positioned on the body 3703 based on the position of the first measurement marking 3705 on the body 3703 and according to a predetermined distance that may be associated with each of the remaining measurement markings 3702. The predetermined distances may comprise a distance that is to be between the remaining measurement marking 3702 and the first measurement marking 3704, and a distance that the remaining measurement marking 3702 is to be spaced apart from the first measurement marking 3704.

The measurement displays 3701 may be positioned and/or displayed on the body 3703. The measurement displays 3701 may be positioned adjacent to and/or proximate to each one of the measurement markings 3702, such that, without limitation, one measurement display 3701 may be positioned adjacent to and/or proximate to one of the measurement markings 3702. Each measurement display 3701 may be associated with, and/or is matched with, a respective one of the measurement markings 3702. Each measurement marking 3702 may be associated with a slope measurement/slope amount.

Each measurement marking 3702 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may be unique to the measurement marking 3702 and different from the slope measurement amount associated with each of the other measurement markings 3702. The first measurement marking 3704 may be associated with a slope measurement amount that may comprise a slope measurement amount that is about equal to zero percent slope.

Each measurement display 3701 may display the slope measurement amount that is associated with the measurement marking 3702, 3704 which is in closest proximity to the measurement display 3701. The measurement markings 3702 may comprise one or more of a symbol, an indentation, a through-hole, a blind-hole, a puncture, a marking, and/or any other feature that may stand apart from adjacent portions of the body 3703 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

The measurement markings 3702 may provide and/or act as a reference to create and/or define markings 356 and/or alignment markings 356 on a putter device 100, and/or to copy, reference, transpose, and/or mirror the measurement markings 3702 onto the putter device 100, such as, and without limitation, onto the putter head 600 as illustratively shown in FIG. 3G. In some embodiments of the present invention the measurement markings 3702 may provide and/or act as a reference to create and/or define markings 356 and/or markings 356 on a putter device 100, and/or to copy, reference, transpose, and/or mirror the measurement markings 3702 onto an upper portion and/or upper surface of the putter head 600 of the putter device 100. For example, without limitation, each of the measurement markings 3702, 3704 may be configured to be transposed onto the putter device 100 to define markings 356 and/or markings 356 on a putter device 100.

For the purposes of the present description of the present invention, the terms alignment markings 356 and/or markings 356 created and/or defined on the putter device 100/putter head 600 may be alternatively and/or interchangeably be referred to herein as transposed decoration items 356, a transposed decoration item 356, transposed markings 356, a transposed marking 356, transposed alignment markings 356, and/or a transposed alignment marking 356, without any limitation. Also, for the purposes of the present description of the present invention, it should be understood, without limitation, that the transposed decoration items 356 may include one or more of the same and/or similar functions and/or features as described for one or more of the Marking(s) described herein, such as, and without limitation, the functions and/or features as described herein with regards to decoration items/markings 210, 611, 702, 807, 904, 1004, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 1501, 1602, 1702, 1802, 1902, 2002, 2101, 2202, 2302, 2507, 2607 (Marking(s)).

Upon the measurement markings 3702 being transposed onto the putter device 100/on the putter head 600, transposed decoration items 356 may be defined on the putter device 100/putter head 600. The transposed decoration items 356 may correspond to and/or be associated with the slope measurement amounts that were/are associated with the measurement markings 3702 of the template device 3700. The transposed decoration items 356 may cause and/or allow for the putter device 100 to be operable to measure and/or indicate an amount of slope/a slope angle a surface 109, 120 that is external to the putter device 100.

The transposed decoration items 356 may cause and/or allow for the putter device 100 to measure and/or indicate the amount of slope/slope angle of the surface 109, 120 as described herein when used with, used in co-operation with, and/or used in conjunction with the reference point 330. The transposed decoration items 356 may each be associated with the slope measurement amount and/or slope angle that was associated with the measurement marking 3702 that the transposed decoration items 356 was copied/mirrored/transposed from/with.

As described above and herein, copying/mirroring/transposing the measurement markings 3702 from the template device 3700 to the putter device 100/putter head 600 may include defining the reference point 330 by the grip and/or hand position that a user of the putter device 100 would have when and/or while the user is using the putter device 100 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, and/or may include placing a reference point 330 onto an upper portion of the handle 300 of the putter device 100 and/or. Transposing the measurement markings 3702 may further include positioning the putter device 100/putter head 600 in a balanced point and/or balanced position, which may include the lower surface 331 of the putter head 600 being aligned with and/or facially aligned with a surface 109 that may have a slope amount/angle of slope/slope angle that may be about equal to zero percent slope, and determining the portion of the putter head 600 that may be at least substantially aligned with the reference point 330. The portion of the putter head 600 that may be at least substantially aligned with the reference point 330 may be aligned with the reference point 330 along a shared absolute vertical plane. The shared absolute vertical plane may be aligned with and/or extending along a lateral axis of the device 100 and/or aligned with and extending along a longitudinal axis of the device 100.

The transposed decoration items 356 may comprise a first transposed decoration items 357 and a plurality of remaining transposed decoration items 356. For the purposes of the description of the present invention, without limitation, the first transposed decoration items 357 and the plurality of remaining transposed decoration items 356 may be referred to as transposed decoration items 356 either collectively, individually, and/or is any combination(s) thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the transposed decoration items 356 may be spaced apart from the first transposed decoration items 357 by distances that may substantially mirror the predetermined distances between and/or associated with the measurement markings 3702 of the template device 3700 and/or by distances that may be substantially similar to the predetermined distances between the first transposed decoration item 357 and the remaining transposed decoration items 356.

In some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the transposed decoration items 356 may be spaced apart from the first transposed decoration items 357 by distances that may be greater in total distance than the predetermined distances between and/or associated with the measurement markings 3702 of the template device 3700. For example, without limitation, the predetermined distances between and/or associated with the measurement markings 3702 of the template device 3700 may include a horizontal distance, a vertical distance, and a depth distance. The vertical and depth distances between each measurement marking 3702 are substantially equal to zero while the horizontal distances between each measurement marking 3702 is greater than zero. The distances between each transposed decoration items 356 and the first transposed decoration items 357 may each comprise a horizontal distance, a vertical distance, and a depth distance. The vertical and/or depth distances between each transposed decoration items 356 and the first transposed decoration items 357 may be a non-zero distance, and the horizontal distances between each transposed decoration items 356 and the first transposed decoration items 357 may be substantially equal to the horizontal distance between each measurement marking 3702 of the template device 3700.

For example, without limitation, the decoration items 904 on the putter head 900 illustratively shown in FIG. 9, are positioned along a curved side 907 of the putter head 900, with each decoration items 904 having a longitudinal distance and a lateral distance from the first decoration items 905. When and/or while the template device 3700 is positioned adjacent to the side 907 of the putter head 900 such that the template device 3700 has its longitudinal axis aligned with the forward facing direction pointed by the forward face 901 of the head 900, the horizontal distances between each transposed decoration items 356 and the first transposed decoration items 357 may be substantially equal to the horizontal distances between each measurement marking 3702 of the template device 3700 while the vertical and/or depth distances between each transposed decoration items 356 and the first transposed decoration items 357 may be greater than and/or less than the vertical and/or depth distances between each measurement marking 3702.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the predetermined distance between the first measurement marking 3704 and the remaining plurality of measurement markings 3704 may be based on, and/or may be based on a calculation of and/or based on a relation between, the slope measurement/slope amount that may be associated with the remaining measurement marking 3702 and, a distance between an upper portion of the putter head and a pivot point 101 of the putter device 100. As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the pivot point 101 of the putter device 100 may comprise, without limitation, an axis of the putter device 100 about which the putter device 100 rotatably and/or pivotally moves about when the putter head is positioned on a surface 109, 120 and does not slidably move along the surface 109, 120/and/or the putter head maintains its general horizontal positioning/static-frictional grip on the surface 109, 120, while the handle 300 of the putter device 100 is moved from side-to-side in a mostly horizontal direction.

In some embodiments of the present invention the plurality of transposed decoration items 356/transposed decoration items 356 may be positionable onto the putter device 100 and/or onto the Head of the putter device 100 when/while the putter head is positioned on a surface 109, 120 that has a slope amount of zero. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that using the template device 3700 to transpose its measurement markings 3702 onto the putter device 100 when/while the Head of the putter device 100 is aligned with/facially aligned with a surface 109, 120 having a slope amount of zero, may allow for the template device 3700 to be positioned adjacent to/onto the device 100 to position the first measurement marking 3704 to align with a reference point 330 to then transpose the first measurement marking 3704 and position the first transposed decoration item 357 onto the putter device 100 at the position at which that first transposed decoration item 357 aligns with the reference point 330 when/while the Head of the putter device 100 is aligned with/facially aligned with a surface 109, 120 having a slope amount of zero the Head of the putter device 100 is aligned with/facially aligned with a surface 109, 120 having a slope amount of zero.

In some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the reference point 330 may comprise a marking or portion of the handle 300 of the putter device 100, such as, and without limitation, a line, dot, coloration, indentation, hole, or blind hole on the handle 300, and/or a portion of the structure of the handle 300 such as, and without limitation, a sewing, an edge, a center, or a pre-fabricated feature of the handle 300 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. As such, while the putter head is aligned with and/or facially aligned with a surface 109, 120 having a slope amount about equal to zero, the template device 3700 and the first measurement marking 3704 may be positioned adjacent to the device 100 such that the first measurement marking 3704 may be aligned with the reference point 330 along a shared vertical plane that may be parallel and/or aligned with a longitudinal and/or latitudinal axis of the putter device 100 and/or of the putter head.

The remaining measurement markings 3702 may be transposed on/onto the putter device 100 while the first measurement marking 3704 is aligned/vertically aligned with the reference point 330 and/or while the first measurement marking 3704 is aligned with the first transposed decoration item 357. The putter device 100 having the transposed plurality of decoration items 356, 357 may be operable to indicate a slope/slope amount of a surface 109, 120 adjacent to the putter device 100/adjacent to the putter head. The slope/slope amount may be determined by at least one of the transposed decoration items 356, 357 being aligned with the reference point 330 while the putter head is aligned with the surface 109, 120.

In embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, each of the transposed decoration items 356, 357 may comprise one or more letters, numbers, shapes, symbols, and/or words. For example, without limitation, each of the transposed decoration items 356, 357 may comprise one or more of a letter, a number, a symbol, a word, a phrase, a name, a logo, a two-dimensional shape, a three dimensional shape, an illustration, a pattern, a primarily ornamental element, a surface element, an element integrated with the putter device, an element at least partially extending from the putter device, a physical characteristic of the putter device, an element positioned adjacent to at least one side portion of the putter device, an outer structure, a line, a dot, an image, a visual depiction, an arrow, a stripe, a grid element, a color contrast, a reflective element, an illuminated feature, a raised element, an engraving, a notch, a cutout, a peripheral marker, a textured element, an embedded visual element, an adjustable marker, a contrasting element, a groove, a gradient display, a holographic element, a negative space, an element visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter device, and/or a portion of the putter device visibly differentiated from adjacent portions of the putter, and/or any combination(s) thereof as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

Further, it is contemplated, without limitation, that any of the transposed decoration items described herein may comprise a temporary transposed decoration item, such that, the transposed decoration item(s) may be removably attached, carried by, and/or positioned on an embodiment of the present invention and may be removed separate and apart from one or more of the other components of the embodiment. For example, without limitation, a temporary transposed decoration item may be removably attached, carried by, and/or positioned on a putter head of an embodiment of the present invention, and the temporary transposed decoration item may be removed from the putter head. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that such temporary transposed decorative items are advantageous for training purposes and for instances where permanent and/or semi-permanent transposed decorative items would not be preferred.

Now referring to FIGS. 27-36, some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a reference device 2700. The reference device 2700 may include one or more of a body member 2706, a reference member 2702, and a reference pattern 2703. The body member 2706 may include a first side 2707 and/or a second side 2708 that may be opposite the first side 2707 of the body member 2706. The reference member 2702 may be movably connected to the body member 2706. In some embodiments of the present invention the reference member 2702 may be rotatably connected to the body member 2706. In some embodiments of the present invention the reference member 2702 may be pivotably connected to the body member 2706. In some embodiments of the present invention the reference member 2702 may be swivelably connected to the body member 2706.

The body member 2706, upper member 2701, lower member 2901, and/or bottom member 2903 may comprise one or more materials that may be resistant to weathering and/or damage. For example, and without limitation, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, lower member 2901, and/or bottom member 2903 may comprise one or more materials that may be resistant to ultra-violet radiation, hot temperatures, and/or cold temperatures. Further, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, lower member 2901, and/or bottom member 2903 may be water resistant. The body member 2706, upper member 2701, lower member 2901, and/or bottom member 2903 may comprise one or more of a plastic material, a metal material, an alloy, a composite material, and/or a wooden material, without limitation.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom member 2903 may comprise a material that may have a coefficient of static and/or sliding friction that may be relatively higher than the material of the body member 2706, upper member 2701, and/or lower member 2901. For example, and without limitation, the bottom member 2903 may comprise one or more of a rubber material, a silicone material, an adhesive material, and/or a neoprene material. In some embodiments of the present invention the bottom member 2903 may have a surface configured to have a coefficient of static and/or sliding friction that may be relatively higher than smooth surfaces, for example, and without limitation, a textured surface, a sticky surface, and/or an adhesive surface.

The reference member 2702 may be formed and/or sized to extend and/or substantially extend between the first side 2707 and the second side 2708 of the body member 2706. The reference pattern 2703 may be located and/or positioned overlaying a surface of the reference member 2702, such as, and without limitation, the reference pattern 2703 may be located and/or positioned overlaying an upper surface of the reference member 2702.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference member 2702 may be movable, pivotably movable, rotatably movable, and/or swivelably moveable, in relation to the body member 2706, about a point of rotation 3303. The point of rotation 3303 may be at a position adjacent to the first side 2707 of the body member 2706. For example, without limitation, the point of rotation 3303 may be at a position that may coincide with a center and/or mid-portion of an object 3301 positioned against, positioned adjacent to, and/or positioned abuttingly against the first side 2707 of the body member 2706.

The reference member 2702 may have a limited degree of movable about the point of rotation 3303. For example, and without limitation, the reference member 2702 may have two, four, five, eight, and/or ten or more degrees of movement about the point of rotation 3303. The object 3301 may comprise, without limitation, one or more of a spherical object such as a ball and/or golf ball as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

The reference pattern 2703 may comprise one or more reference lines 2704. Each reference line 2704 may correlate to an angle of slope/slope measurement/slope amount and/or each reference line 2704 may be associated with an angle of slope/slope measurement/slope amount. Each reference line 2704 may be extending between a portion of a first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 and a portion of a second side 2711 of the reference member 2702. Each reference line 2704 and/or the reference pattern 2703 may be positioned in a spread arrangement and/or a fanned-out arrangement. For example, without limitation, the portion of the reference pattern 2703/portions of the references line 2704 adjacent to and/or proximate to the first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 may have a smaller width than the portion of the reference pattern 2703/portions of the references line 2704 that is/are adjacent to and/or proximate to the second side 2711 of the reference member 2702.

For the purposes of the present description of the present invention, the terms reference pattern 2703 and reference lines 2704 may alternatively and/or interchangeably be referred to as “reference lines 2704,” without limitation. In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference lines 2704 may include a first reference line 2712 and a plurality of remaining reference lines 2704. The first reference line 2712 may be positioned along and/or extending along a mid-portion of the reference member 2702 between the first side 2710 and the second side 2711 of the reference member 2702. The first reference line 2712 may be positioned aligned with and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reference member 2702.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 2700 may include an opening 2705. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention the body member 2706 may comprise an upper member 2701, a lower member 2901, and/or a bottom member 2903. The lower member 2901 may be removably attached to the upper member 2701. The bottom member 2903 may be removably attached to the lower member 2901. The opening 2705 may extend through a portion of the upper member 2701/body member 2706, and/or the opening 2705 may extend through an upper surface 3207 of the upper member 2701/body member 2706. The opening 2705 may extend through the upper member 2701 and the lower member 2901 towards and/or ending at the bottom member 2903/towards and/or ending at a portion of the bottom member 2903. In some embodiments of the present invention the opening 2705 may have a curved, arched, and/or semi-circular shape.

The reference device 2700 may include one or more guide member 3202. The guide member(s) 3202 may be carried by the body member 2706, and/or the guide member(s) 3202 may be carried by the lower member 2901. The guide member(s) 3202 may be positioned within a portion of the opening 2705, and/or the guide member(s) 3202 may be carried by the body member 2706 and/or by the lower member 2901 within the opening 2705. The guide member(s) 3202 may extend upwardly from the bottom member 2903 through and out from a portion of the opening 2705, so that a top portion of the guide member(s) 3202 may be extended outwardly from the opening 2705. The top portion of the guide member(s) 3202 that may be extending outwardly from the opening 2705 may be attachable to the reference member 2702. The guide member(s) 3202 may be movable and/or slidably movable within the opening 2705.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include a surface member 3206 positioned between the opening 2705 and the bottom member 2903. The guide member(s) 3202 may be slidably positioned and/or resting upon the surface member 3206 while within the opening 2705. The surface member 3206 may comprise a low friction surface to facilitate the slidable movement of the guide member(s) 3202. In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 2700 may include foot member(s) 3203 connected to the lower end of each of the guide member(s) 3202.

The foot member(s) 3203 may be configured to slidably move within the opening 2705 and to slidably move against and/or along the surface of the surface member 3206. The foot member(s) 3203 may have a width and/or an outer perimeter that is greater than a width and/or an outer perimeter of the guide member(s) 3202. The foot member(s) 3203 may be configured to retain the guide member(s) 3202 within the opening 2705.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 2700 may include a retention member 3204. The retention member 3204 may be carried by the body member 2706 and/or by the lower member 2901. The retention member 3204 may be positioned within and/or carried by the lower member 2901 within the opening 2705. The retention member 3204 may be formed and/or shaped to substantially conform to the outer perimeter of a portion of the opening 2705. The retention member 3204 may have an opening therethrough that may be sized to allow the guide member(s) 3202 to extend therethrough and to allow the guide member(s) 3202 to slidably move within the opening 2705.

The retention member 3204 may be positioned against the foot member(s) 3203 of the guide member(s) 3202 so that the foot member(s) 3203 may be positioned between the surface member 3206 and the retention member 3204 and prevent the guide member(s) 3202 from vertically moving while within the shouldered pocket 2705. The retention member 3204 may have a relatively low amount of surface friction such that the foot member(s) 3203 and/or the guide member(s) 3202 may not be prevented from slidably moving within the opening 2705.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 270 may include one or more of a protrusion member 2902. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be connected to a lower portion of the body member 2706, and/or the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be connected to a lower portion of the bottom member 2903. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be extending from the lower portion of the body member 2706 and/or bottom member 2903. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be configured and/or operable to be matingly engaged with a surface 109, 120 that is separate from the reference device 2700. For example, without limitation, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be operable to be pressed into and/or may be operable to penetrate a surface 109, 120 and be matingly engaged therewith.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may have a pointed shape and/or may have a sharp tip. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be extending away from the body member 2706 and/or from the bottom member 2903 at an angle. For example, and without limitation, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be extending from the lower portion of the body member 2706/bottom member 2903 angled towards the first side 2707 of the body member 2706. In embodiments of the present invention that include multiple protrusion member(s) 2902, each protrusion member 2902 may be positioned at a same and/or similar angle. As such, in some embodiments of the present invention inserting the angled protrusion member(s) 2902 may cause the body member 2706 to move forward relative to the surface 109, 120 as the protrusion member(s) 2902 move from being uninserted into the surface 109, 120 to moving to being fully inserted into the surface 109, 120. For example, and without limitation, the body member 2706 may move forward horizontally relative to the surface by about a fourth of an inch from where the protrusion member(s) 2902 are initially inserted into the surface 109, 120.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the first side 2707 of the body member 2706 may be curved to receive a curved surface 3304 of an object 3301. When and/or while a portion of the first side 2707 of the body member 2706 is positioned to receive the curve surface 3304 of the object 3301 may be defined as a ready position 3305 of the body member 2706 and/or of the reference device 2700. While in the ready position 3305, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be matingly engaged with the surface 109, 120. In some embodiments of the present invention, the body member 2706 may comprise a color that is the same and/or similar as the surface 109, 120.

Illustrative examples of the body member 2706/reference device 2700 in the ready position 3305 may be seen in FIGS. 33-36. When and/or while the body member 2706/device 2700 is in the ready position 3305, the first side 2707 of the body member 2706 may be matingly engaged with, abutting against, and/or in near-touching proximity to the object 3301. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the first side 2707 of the body member 2706 may have a semi-circular shape that may have a radius that is the same and/or similar to the radius of the object 3301.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 may have one or more of the same and/or similar characteristics and features as described for the first side 2707 of the body member 2706 herein. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the body member 2706 and/or the total height of the body member 2706 and the reference member 2702 may have a height that may be about half of the height of the object 3301.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first reference line 2712 may correlate to and/or may provide a reference angle. As such, the angle of slope correlated with each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may be in relation to the first reference line 2712 and/or in relation to the reference angle of the first reference line 2712. As such, each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may correlate to an angle of slope relative to the first reference line 2712. For example, and without limitation, the remaining reference line(s) 2704 that are most adjacent to the first reference line 2712 may correlate to a 1% difference of slope relative to the first reference line 2712, and each other remaining reference line 2704 may each have a greater slope percentage difference compared to the first reference line 2712 as the remaining reference lines 2704 are counted going outwards. As such, the remaining reference lines 2704 counted outwards from the first reference line 2712 may correlate to slopes in an order such as 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, and so one and so forth.

While the body member 2706/reference device 2700 is in the ready position 3305, the reference member 2702 may be moved to position the first reference line 2712 to be directed towards a central point 3602 of a target 3601. Further, while the body member 2706/reference device 2700 is in the ready position 3305 the reference member 2702 may be moved to position the first reference line 2712 to be directed towards and aligned with the central point 3602 of the target 3601 as well as with the point of rotation 3303, as illustratively shown in FIG. 36 with line 3603.

In some embodiments of the present invention, while the reference device 2700/body member 2706 is in the ready position 3305, as the reference member 2702 is moved, the first reference line 2712 may move about the center of rotation 3303 of the object 3301 such that the first reference line 2712 is always aligned with the center of rotation 3303 while the device 2700 is in the ready position 3305. Each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may indicate and/or provide a direction that is angled away from the direction of the first reference line 2712 to provide a compensation direction/angle that the object 3301 may be moved in so that the object 3301 may reach the target 3601.

Each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may provide a different compensation direction/angle than the other remaining reference lines 2704. The compensation direction/angle of each remaining reference line 2704 may be associated with both a slope amount of a surface 3302, 109, 120 and with a stimp or speed of the surface 3302, 109, 120. As understood by those who have skill in the art, the stimp or speed of a surface is the ease and distance at which an object, such as a golf ball, may be able to roll until it stops when set in motion on a surface, as typically measured by a stimpmeter. For example, without limitation, Table 1 below shows exemplary embodiments of the reference device 2700 that may have four remaining reference lines 2704 adjacent to one side of the first reference line 2712 and another four remaining reference lines 2704 adjacent to another side of the first reference line 2712 opposite the other four remaining reference line 2704.

TABLE 1
Angle of Remaining Reference Line Related
to Speed and Slope of the Surface

	Remaining Reference Line Angle to the
	Right/Left of the First Reference Line

	1st/5th	2nd/6th	3rd/7th	4th/8th
	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining
Stimp/	Reference	Reference	Reference	Reference
Speed	Line	Line	Line	Line

12	3.4°	6.9°	10.2°	13.6°
11	3°	6°	8.7°	11.7°
10	2.8°	5.5°	8.5°	11.1°
9	2.5°	5°	7.6°	9.7°
8	2.2°	4.5°	7°	9°
	1%	2%	3%	4%	Slope of
					the
					Surface

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference member 2702 may be interchangeable and/or configured to be removably attached to and/or removably carried by the body member 2706 and/or upper member 2701 of the reference device 2700. Embodiments of the present invention may include multiple reference members 2702 that may be removably attachable and/or removably carried by the body member 2706 and/or upper member 2701, and each reference member 2702 may have a reference pattern 2703 and/or reference lines 2704 that may differ by the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 from the remaining reference lines 2704 of the other reference members 2702.

For example, in reference to Table 1 above, and without limitation, each reference member 2702 may be associated with a respective stimp/speed, and/or the reference pattern 2703 and/or reference lines 2704 of each reference member 2702 may be associated with the respective stimp/speed that is associated with that reference member 2702. Specifically, without limitation, the reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702 may be associated with a stimp/speed of “12,” and as such, the reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703 of the reference member 2702 may include the remaining reference lines 2704 having the following angles off of the first reference line 2712 of the reference member 2702: 13.6°, 10.2°, 6.9°, 3.4°, −3.4°, −6.9°, −10.2°, and −13.6°. In this example, without limitation, for a surface 3302, 109, 120 that has a stimp/speed of “12,” the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 associated with a stimp/speed of “12” may be selected to be removably attached to and/or removably carried by the body member 2706/upper member 2701.

Furthermore, in this example, and without limitation, upon the first reference line 2712 being directed towards a central point 3602 of a target 3601 using a reference member 2702 associated with a stimp/speed of “12” for a surface 3302, 109, 120 having a stimp/speed of “12,” one of the remaining reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703 may be selected based on the slope of the surface 3302, 109, 120. As such, for example, if the surface 3302, 109, 120 has having a slope of 1%, the remaining reference line 2704 having an angle of 3.4° (and/or −3.4° depending on the direction of the slope of the surface 3302, 109, 120 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art) may be selected to define and provide the compensation direction/angle that the object 3301 may be moved, launched, and/or pushed so that the object 3301 may reach the target 3601 as a result of the object 3301 being moved, launched, and/or pushed in, along, and/or towards the provided compensation direction/angle. This example compensation direction/angle may be seen illustratively shown in FIG. 36 as slope compensation line 3604.

It is contemplated, without limitation, that the angles that the remaining reference lines 2704 may be positioned and/or in a direction off of the first reference line 2712 for a given associated stimp/speed, as shown in Table 1, that may vary in some embodiments of the present invention. As such, it is contemplated that the angles of a given stimp/speed amount that the reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702 may be associated with may not be limited to the angles shown in Table 1. Further, without limitation, in some embodiments of the present invention, the angles for the reference member 2702, reference pattern 2703, and/or the reference lines 2704 for an associated stimp/speed may be different from and/or vary from the angles shown in Table 1. For example, and without limitation, the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 for a given stimp/speed may vary between and/or around +0.5° to −0.5° (alternatively, and without limitation, ±0.5°) from the angles shown in Table 1. Following this example, without limitation, it is contemplated that in some embodiments of the present invention the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 for a stimp/speed of “10” may have the following angles of off the first reference line 2712 of the reference member 2702: −11.1°±0.5°, −8.5°±0.5°, −5.5°±0.5°, −2.8°±0.5°, 2.8°±0.5°, 5.5°±0.5°, 8.5°±0.5°, and 11.1°±0.5°.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the object 3301 may include an object reference line 3406. Upon using the reference device 2700 to determine the compensation direction/angle, the object 3301 may be movably adjusted in place to align the object reference line with the determined compensation direction/angle, and the reference device 2700 may be removed from the ready position 3305 so that the object 3301 may be moved with another device, such as a putter device, to move the object 3301 and to result in the object 3301 falling into the target 3601.

Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that embodiments of the present invention that include the protrusion member(s) 2902 may advantageously allow for the object 3301 to be removed while the reference device 2700/body member 2706 is in the ready position 3305 to then adjust and/or move the reference member 2702 for then the object 3301 to be positioned back in place thereafter.

Now referring to FIGS. 38-45, an embodiment of the present invention may be directed to a reference device 3800. The reference device 3800 may include one or more of the same and/or similar features and/or elements as those described for the reference device 2700 herein, without limitation. For example, embodiments of the reference device 3800 may include one or more of the same and/or similar features and/or elements as the reference device 2700 as described herein, such as, and without limitation, with regards to one or more of the upper member 2701, the reference member 2702, the reference pattern 2703, the reference lines 2704, the opening 2705, the body member 2706, the first reference line 2712, the lower member 2901, the protrusion members 2902, the bottom member 2903, the guide member 3202, the foot member 3203, the retention member 3204, the guide opening 3205, and/or the surface member 3206, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

Embodiments of the reference device 3800 may include a body member 2706 having a more slender shape than the body member 2706 of the reference device 3800. The body member 2706 of the reference device 3800 may also include sides that have an inward curved shape. The body member 2706 of the reference device 3800 may include an upper member 2701, a lower member 2901, and a bottom member 2903. The lower member 2901 may be attached and/or removably attachable to the upper member 2701. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower member 2901 may be attached and/or removably attachable to the upper member 2701 using a fixture 4211 through a channel 4213 through the lower body member 2901 that aligns with a fixture item 4209 extending from the upper member 2701, with the fixture 4211 being attached and/or removably attached to the fixture item 4209 through the channel 4213. In some embodiments of the present invention, the channel 4213 may be surrounded and/or defined by a hollow column 4306 extending between upper and lower portions of the lower member 2901.

The bottom member 2903 may be attached and/or removably attachable to the lower member 2901. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom member 2903 may be attached and/or removably attachable to the lower member 2901 using an adhesive. In some embodiments of the reference device 3800, the protrusion members 2902 may be attached to and/or extending from one or more portions of a lower surface of a protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion platform 3806 may be attached and/or removably attachable to the bottom member 2903 of the device 3800.

In some embodiments of the device 3800, the protrusion platform 3806 may be connected to the bottom member 2903, and both the bottom member 2903 and the protrusion platform 3806 may be removably attachable to the lower member 2901 via one or more attachment devices 4210, 4217. The attachment devices 4210, 4217 may comprise, for example, and without limitation, one or more of a magnet, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. One or more attachment devices 4210 may be carried by and/or between the lower member 2901 and the upper member 2701. The attachment device(s) 4210 may be carried by and/or between an opening 4208 through one or more portion(s) of the upper member 2701 and/or an opening 4304 through one or more portion(s) of the lower member 2901. The attachment devices 4210 may matingly engage the upper member 2701 and/or the lower member 2901 via the openings 4208, 4304 thereof for the attachment device(s) 4210 to be carried thereby.

One or more of the attachment device(s) 4217 may be carried by the bottom member 2903 and/or the protrusion platform 3806. The bottom member 2903 may comprise one or more openings 4215 extending into one or more portions of the bottom member 2903. The attachment devices 4217 may be carried by the bottom member 2903 and between the bottom member 2903 and the protrusion platform 3806 by the attachment device 4217 being matingly engaged with one of the openings 4215 in the bottom member 2903. When and/or while an attachment member 4210 is in close proximity to an attachment member 4217, the attachment members 4210, 4217 may be magnetically attracted to one another as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, and may create at attraction force towards one another to cause the bottom member 2903 and the protrusion platform 3806 to be forced and/or held against the lower member 2901.

In some embodiments of the device 3800, the lower member 2901 may include a position guide 4214 extending outwardly from a lower portion of the lower member 2901. The position guide 4214 may have a shape and a perimeter. The bottom member 2903 may include a channel 4216 extending into a mid portion and/or a second side 2708 of the bottom member 2903. The protrusion platform 3806 may include a channel 4219 extending into a mid portion and/or a second side 4222 of the protrusion platform 3806. When and/or while the bottom member 2903 and the protrusion platform 3806 are attached and/or removably attached to one another, the channels 4216, 4219 thereof may be positioned to align with one another. The channels 4216, 4219 may comprise significantly the same shape and/or size as one another, and, without limitation, the channels 4216, 4219 may each have a shape and/or perimeter that is the same and/or similar to the shape and/or perimeter of the position guide 4214.

When and/or while the bottom member 2903 and/or the protrusion platform 3806 are attached and/or removably attached to the lower member 2901, the position guide 4214 may engage with and/or be removably matingly engaged with the channels 4216, 4219. When and/or while the position guide 4214 is engaged with the channels 4216, 4219, the upper member 2701 and the lower member 2901 may be prevented from moving forwards from the bottom member 2903/protrusion platform 3806 (directed away from the rearward/second sides 2708, 4222 towards the forward/first sides 2707, 4221 of the bottom member 2903/protrusion platform 3806), such as when and/or while the protrusion member(s) 2902 are engaged with/penetrated into a surface 109, 120, 3302. When and/or while the position guide 4214 is engaged with the channels 4216, 4219, the upper member 2701 and the lower member 2901 may be removed and/or detached from the bottom member 2903/protrusion platform 3806 in and upward and/or rearward facing direction.

Embodiments of the device 3800 may include one or more protrusion members 2902 attached to and/or carried by the protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion members 2902 may be extending from one or more lower portions of the protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion members 2902 may be extending between a forward and/or downward direction(s) from the lower portion(s) of the protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion members 2902 may be configured to be engaged with, matingly engaged with, removably engaged with, removably matingly engaged with, and/or reversibly penetrated into a surface 109, 120, 3302 to removably attach the bottom member 2903 and/or protrusion platform 3806 to the surface 109, 120, 3302.

The device 3800 may include a reference member 2702 that may be similar to the reference member 2702 of reference device 3800. In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 3800 may include a staging item 3804. The staging item 3804 may be configured to carry the reference member 2702. The staging item 3804 may be movably, rotatably, swivelably, slidably, and/or pivotably carried by, connected to, attached to, and/or fixed to the body member 2706 and/or to the upper member 2701. In some embodiments of the present invention, the staging item 3804 may be movable, pivotably movable, rotatably movable, and/or swivelably moveable, in relation to the body member 2706 and/or upper member 2701, about a point of rotation 3303. The point of rotation 3303 may be at a position adjacent to the first side 2707 of the body member 2706. For example, without limitation, the point of rotation 3303 may be at a position that may coincide with a center and/or mid-portion of an object 3301 positioned against, positioned adjacent to, and/or positioned abuttingly against the first side 2707 of the body member 2706.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the staging item 3804 may be movably, rotatably, swivelably, slidably, and/or pivotably carried by, connected to, attached to, and/or fixed to the body member 2706 and/or to the upper member 2701 by one or more fixtures 4211 and/or by using one or more fixture accessories 4207. The fixture accessories 4207 may comprise, for example, and without limitation, spacers and/or washers, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. The device 3800 and/or the body member 2706 may include an opening 2705 that extends through a portion of thereof, such that, the opening 2705 may be extending through a portion of the upper member 2701 and the lower member 2901. The fixtures 4211 may be positioned within the opening 2705 and extending outwardly therefrom to be fixed to the staging item 3804. The fixtures 4211 may be extending through one or more of the fixture accessories 4207 while fixed to the staging item 3804, with the fixture accessories 4204 being positioned within the opening 2705 and/or between the staging item 3804 and the body member 2706/upper member 2701.

The staging item 3804 may include one or more fixture items 4206 that may be matingly engaged with one or more of the fixtures 4211 extending from the opening 2705. In some embodiments of the present invention, the staging item 3804 may include one or more indentations 4205 therein which may encircle one or more of the fixture items 4206. The indentations 4205 may be configured to matingly engage with one or more of the fixture accessories 4204. Some embodiments of the present invention may include one or more apertures 4212 that may be extending into a portion of the body member 2706/lower member 2901 from outside of the body member 2706/lower member 2901 towards and in communication with the opening 2705. The aperture(s) 4212 may provide and/or allow access to a portion of the fixture(s) 4211 that are removably attaching the staging item 3804 to the body member 2706 to attach and/or detach the fixture(s) 4211 to the staging item 3804/fixture item 4206.

The staging item 3804 may be configured to removably attach to and/or removably carry the reference member 2702. In some embodiments of the present invention, the staging item 3804 may include a slot 4302, and the reference member 2702 may include a coupler 4202 as illustratively shown in FIGS. 42-43. The slot 4302 may have one or more inwardly flared sides having a predetermined flare angle, and the slot 4302 may include an open end and a curved end. The slot 4302 may be extending into an upper portion of the staging item 3804. The coupler 4202 may have one or more outwardly flared sides at a predetermined flare angle, and the coupler 4202 may include a curved end and a tail end. The coupler 4202 may be extending from and overlaying a lower portion of the reference member 2702. The predetermined flare angle of the inwardly flared sides of the slot 4302 may mirror the predetermined flare angle of the outwardly flared sides of the coupler 4202, such that the predetermined flare angles of the slot 4302 and the coupler 4202 may be substantially equal to one another. The slot 4302 may have a total volume that is equal to and/or greater than a total volume of the coupler 4202.

The reference member 2702 may be carried by, movably connect to, and/or slidably connected to the staging item 3804 by positioning the coupler 4202 to be substantially longitudinally aligned with the slot 4302, positioning the curved end of the coupler 4202 to be proximal to the opened end of the slot 4302, and inserting the curved end of the coupler 4202 into the opened end of the slot 4302 until both the curved ends of the slot 4302 and coupler 4202, and the tail end of the coupler 4202 and the opened end of the slot 4302 are significantly aligned with one another to define a fully inserted position of the reference member 2702 and/or of the coupler 4202. The flared sides of the coupler 4202 and the slot 4302 may be matingly engaged with one another while the reference member 2702 and/or the coupler 4202 is in the inserted position. While in the inserted position, the connection between the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 and the staging item 3804/slot 4302 may prevent the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 from being removed from the staging item 3804/slot 4302 by moving the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 in a forward, upward, downward, or sideways direction relative to the staging item 3804/slot 4302. As such, without limitation, the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 and/or the connection between the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 and the staging item 3804/slot 4302 may be removed by slidably moving the reference member 2702/coupler 4202 relative to the staging item 3804/slot 4302 to move the curved end of the coupler 4202 towards and out from the opened end of the slot 4302.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference member 2702 may include a tail 3808 extending in a rearward direction from the second side 2711 and/or distal the reference member 2702. The staging item 3804 may include a tail 4204 extending in a rearward direction from the second side 4220 and/or distal the staging item 3804. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the tail 4204 of the staging item 3804 may be extending downwardly from the tail 4202, which may define a grip area of the staging item 3804. The grip area of the staging item 3804 may be operable and/or utilized to move, swivel, rotate, and/or pivot the staging item 3804 while and/or when the staging item 3804 is movably, rotatably, swivelably, slidably, and/or pivotably carried by, connected to, attached to, and/or fixed to the body member 2706 and/or upper member 2701.

The reference pattern 2703 may be located and/or positioned overlaying a surface of the reference member 2702, such as, and without limitation, the reference pattern 2703 may be located and/or positioned overlaying an upper surface of the reference member 2702. The reference pattern 2703 may be extending between the first and second sides 2710, 2711 of the reference member 2702. The reference pattern 2703 may comprise one or more reference lines 2704. Each reference line 2704 may correlate to an angle of slope/slope measurement/slope amount and/or each reference line 2704 may be associated with an angle of slope/slope measurement/slope amount. Each reference line 2704 may be extending between a portion of a first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 and a portion of a second side 2711 of the reference member 2702. Each reference line 2704 and/or the reference pattern 2703 may be positioned in a spread arrangement and/or a fanned-out arrangement as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. For example, without limitation, the portion of the reference pattern 2703/portions of the references line 2704 adjacent to and/or proximate to the first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 may have a smaller width than the portion of the reference pattern 2703/portions of the references line 2704 that is/are adjacent to and/or proximate to the second side 2711 of the reference member 2702.

In some embodiments of the device 3800, the reference lines 2704 may include a first reference line 2712, with the other reference lines 2704 being referred to as a plurality of remaining reference lines 2704. The first reference line 2712 may be positioned along and/or extending along a mid-portion of the reference member 2702 between the first side 2710 and the second side 2711 of the reference member 2702. The first reference line 2712 may be positioned aligned with and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reference member 2702.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 3800 may include an opening 2705. In some embodiments of the present invention the opening 2705 may have a curved, arched, and/or semi-circular shape. The fixtures 4211, fixture items 4206, and/or fixture accessories 4207 may be configured to slidably move within the opening 2705 while attached to the staging item 3804. The fixture accessories 4207 may have a width and/or an outer perimeter that is greater than a width and/or an outer perimeter of the fixtures 4211 and/or of the opening 2705. The fixture accessories 4207 may be configured to retain the fixtures 4211 within the opening 2705.

In some embodiments of the device 3800, the reference device 3800 may include one or more of a protrusion member 2902 as described above. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be connected to a lower portion of the protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be extending from the lower portion of the protrusion platform 3806, and the protrusion members 2902 may be extending from the protrusion platform 3806 at an angle that is angled more towards the first side 4221 of the protrusion platform 3806 than the second side 4222 of the protrusion platform 3806. The protrusion member(s) 2902 may be configured and/or operable to be matingly engaged with a surface 109, 120, 3302 that is separate from the reference device 3800. For example, without limitation, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be operable to be pressed into and/or may be operable to penetrate a surface 109, 120, 3302 and be removably matingly engaged therewith, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 33 and 44.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may have a pointed shape, a semi pointed shape, and/or a tip portion that has a perimeter that is less than a perimeter of an end portion of the protrusion member 2902 that is opposite the tip of the protrusion member 2902. In some embodiments of the present invention that include multiple protrusion member(s) 2902, each protrusion member 2902 may be positioned at a same and/or similar angle as one another. As such, in some embodiments of the present invention, inserting the angled protrusion member(s) 2902 may cause the body member 2706 to move forward relative to the surface 109, 120 as the protrusion member(s) 2902 move from being uninserted into the surface 109, 120, 302 to moving to being fully inserted into the surface 109, 120. For example, and without limitation, the body member 2706 may move forward horizontally relative to the surface from where the protrusion member(s) 2902 are initially inserted into the surface 109, 120, 3302. In some embodiments of the present invention, without limitation, the body member 2706 may move forward horizontally relative to the surface from where the protrusion member(s) 2902 are initially inserted into the surface 109, 120, 3302 by about a fourth of an inch.

In some embodiments of the reference device 3800, a portion of the first side 2707, 4221 of the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 may have a curved shape that may be configured to receive a curved surface 3304 of an object 3301 as illustratively shown in FIGS. 42-44. When and/or while a portion of the first sides 2707, 4221 of the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 is/are in position receiving the curve surface 3304 of the object 3301, this position may be defined as the reference device 3800, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 being in a ready position 3305. While in the ready position 3305, the protrusion member(s) 2902 may be matingly engaged with the surface 109, 120, 3302, which may further define the ready position 3305 of the reference device 3800, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806.

Illustrative examples of the reference device 3800, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 in the ready position 3305 may be seen in FIGS. 33-36 and 44. When and/or while the reference device 3800, the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 is in the ready position 3305, the first side(s) 2707, 4221 of the body member 2706, upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the bottom member 2903, and/or the protrusion platform 3806 may be matingly engaged with, abutting against, and/or in near-touching proximity to the object 3301. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the first side(s) 2707, 4221 may have a semi-circular shape that may have a radius that is the same and/or similar to the radius of the object 3301. In some embodiments of the device 3800, the body member 2706 may comprise a color that is the same and/or similar as the surface 109, 120.

When and/or while an object 3301 is in a stationary position on a surface 109, 120, 3302, the bottom member 2903 and/or the protrusion platform 3806 may be moved/placed in the ready position 3305 separate and apart from the upper member 2701 and the lower member 2901, which may be carrying the staging item 3804 and/or reference member 2702. When and/or while the bottom member 2706 and/or the protrusion platform 3806 are in the ready position 3305, the upper member 2701 and/or the lower member 2901 may be positioned on and/or removably attached to the bottom member 2903 and/or the protrusion platform 3806 to position the upper member 2701, the lower member 2901, the staging item 3804, and/or the reference member 2702 in the ready position 3305.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first side 2710 of the reference member 2702 may have one or more of the same and/or similar characteristics and features as described for the first side(s) 2707, 4221 of the body member 2706 and/or protrusion platform 3806 herein. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the reference device 3800, and/or the protrusion platform 3806, the body member 2706, the staging item 3804, and the reference member 2702 may have a total height that may be about half of the total height of the object 3301. When and/or while the staging item 3804, the upper body member 2701, and the lower body member 2901 are is the ready position, the reference member 2702 may be moved into the inserted position with the staging item 3804. When and/or while the staging item 3804, the upper body member 2701, and the lower body member 2901 are not in the ready position, the reference member 2702 may be moved into the inserted position with the staging item 3804. Further, whether the staging item 3804, the upper body member 2701, and the lower body member 2901 is in the ready position or not in the ready position, the reference member 2702 may be moved and/or removed from the inserted position with the staging item 3804, and/or the reference member 2702 may be removed from the inserted position and replaced with another reference member 2702 having a different identifier and/or a different reference pattern 2703 than the reference member 2702 that was removed from the inserted position.

In some embodiments of the device 3800, the first reference line 2712 may correlate to and/or may be utilized to provide a reference angle. As such, the angle of slope correlated with each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may be in relation to the first reference line 2712 and/or in relation to the reference angle of the first reference line 2712. Specifically, without limitation, each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may correlate to an angle of slope relative to the first reference line 2712. For example, and without limitation, the remaining reference line(s) 2704 that are most adjacent to the first reference line 2712 may correlate to a 1% difference of slope relative to the first reference line 2712, and each other remaining reference line 2704 may each have a greater slope percentage difference compared to the first reference line 2712 as the remaining reference lines 2704 are counted going outwards from the first reference line 2712. As such, the remaining reference lines 2704 counted outwards from the first reference line 2712 may correlate to slopes in an order such as, and without limitation, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, and so one and so forth.

While the reference device 3800 is in the ready position 3305, the reference member 2702 may be moved, rotated, pivoted, swiveled, and/or slidably moved to position the first reference line 2712 to be directed towards a central point 3602 of a target 3601. Further, while the reference device 3800/reference member 2702 is in the ready position 3305, the reference member 2702 may be moved to position the first reference line 2712 to be directed towards and aligned with the central point 3602 of the target 3601 as well as with the point of rotation 3303 of the object 3301, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 36 and 44 with line 3603.

In some embodiments of the present invention, while the reference device 3800/reference member 2702 is in the ready position 3305, as the reference member 2702 is moved, the first reference line 2712 may move about the center of rotation 3303 of the object 3301 such that the first reference line 2712 is always aligned with the center of rotation 3303 while the device 3800/reference member 2702 is in the ready position 3305. Each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may indicate and/or provide a direction that is angled away from the direction of the first reference line 2712 to provide a compensation direction/angle 3604 that the object 3301 may be moved in/towards/along so that the object 3301 may reach the target 3601.

Each of the remaining reference lines 2704 may provide a different compensation direction/angle than the other remaining reference lines 2704. The compensation direction/angle of each remaining reference line 2704 may be associated with both a slope amount of a surface 3302, 109, 120 and with a stimp or speed of the surface 3302, 109, 120. As understood by those who have skill in the art, without limitation, the stimp or speed of a surface is the ease and distance at which an object, such as a golf ball, may be able to roll until it stops when set in motion on a surface, as typically measured by a stimpmeter. For example, without limitation, Table 1, reproduced below, shows exemplary embodiments of the reference device 3800 that may have four remaining reference lines 2704 adjacent to one side of the first reference line 2712 and another four remaining reference lines 2704 adjacent to another side of the first reference line 2712 opposite the other four remaining reference line 2704.

TABLE 1
Angle of Remaining Reference Line Related
to Speed and Slope of the Surface

	Remaining Reference Line Angle to the
	Right/Left of the First Reference Line

	1st/5th	2nd/6th	3rd/7th	4th/8th
	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining	Remaining
Stimp/	Reference	Reference	Reference	Reference
Speed	Line	Line	Line	Line

12	3.4°	6.9°	10.2°	13.6°
11	3°	6°	8.7°	11.7°
10	2.8°	5.5°	8.5°	11.1°
9	2.5°	5°	7.6°	9.7°
8	2.2°	4.5°	7°	9°
	1%	2%	3%	4%	Slope of
					the
					Surface

In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference member 2702 may be interchangeable and/or configured to be removably attached to and/or removably carried by the staging item 3804. Embodiments of the present invention may include multiple reference members 2702 that may be removably attachable and/or removably carried by the staging item 3804, and each reference member 2702 may have a reference pattern 2703 and/or reference lines 2704 that may differ by the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 from the remaining reference lines 2704 of the other reference members 2702.

For example, in reference to Table 1 above, and without limitation, each reference member 2702 may be associated with a respective stimp/speed, and/or the reference pattern 2703 and/or reference lines 2704 of each reference member 2702 may be associated with a stimp/speed that may be displayed on the reference device 2702 with an identifier 3802. Specifically, without limitation, the reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702 may be associated with a stimp/speed of “12,” and as such, an identifier 3802 of “12” may be displayed on the reference member 2702 as illustratively shown in FIG. 41. The reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703 of the reference member 2702 having an identifier 3802 of “12” may include the remaining reference lines 2704 having the following angles off of the first reference line 2712: 13.6°, 10.2°, 6.9°, 3.4°, −3.4°, −6.9°, −10.2°, and −13.6° (with 0° being associated with the first reference line 2712). In this example, without limitation, for a surface 3302, 109, 120 that has a stimp/speed of “12,” the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 associated with a stimp/speed of “12” may be selected to be removably attached to and/or removably carried by the staging item 3804.

Further, for a surface 109, 120, 3302 that has a stimp/speed of “8,” the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 associated with a stimp/speed of “8” (as illustratively shown in FIG. 40) may be selected to be removably attached to and/or removably carried by the staging item 3804. In reference to Table 1 above, and without limitation, the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 associated with a stimp/speed of “8” may include the remaining reference lines 2704 having the following angles off of the first reference line 2712: −9°, −7°, −4.5°, −2.2°, 2.2°, 4.5°, 7°, and 9° (with 0° being associated with the first reference line 2712).

Furthermore, in this example, and without limitation, upon the first reference line 2712 being directed towards a central point 3602 of a target 3601 using a reference member 2702 associated with a stimp/speed of “12” for a surface 3302, 109, 120 that has a stimp/speed of “12,” one of the remaining reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702/reference pattern 2703 may be selected based on the slope of the surface 3302, 109, 120 that may be between 0% and 4% slope, without limitation. As such, for example, if the surface 3302, 109, 120 has a slope of 1%, the remaining reference line 2704 that has having an angle of 3.4° (and/or −3.4° depending on the direction of the slope of the surface 3302, 109, 120 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art) may be selected to define and provide the compensation direction/angle 3304 that the object 3301 may be moved, launched, and/or pushed toward and/or along so that the object 3301 may reach the target 3601 as a result of the object 3301 being moved, launched, and/or pushed towards and/or along the provided compensation direction/angle 3604. This example compensation direction/angle 3604 may be seen illustratively shown in FIG. 44 as slope compensation line 3604.

It is contemplated, without limitation, that the angles that the remaining reference lines 2704 may be positioned and/or in a direction off of the first reference line 2712 for a given associated stimp/speed, as shown in Table 1, that may vary in some embodiments of the present invention. As such, it is contemplated that the angles of a given stimp/speed amount that the reference member 2702 and/or reference pattern 2703/reference lines 2704 of the reference member 2702 may be associated with may not be limited to the angles shown in Table 1. Further, without limitation, in some embodiments of the present invention, the angles for the reference member 2702, reference pattern 2703, and/or the reference lines 2704 for an associated stimp/speed may be different from and/or vary from the angles shown in Table 1. For example, and without limitation, the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 for a given stimp/speed may vary between and/or around +0.5° to −0.5° (alternatively, and without limitation, ±0.5°) from the angles shown in Table 1. Following this example, without limitation, it is contemplated that in some embodiments of the present invention the angles of the remaining reference lines 2704 for a stimp/speed of “10” may have the following angles of off the first reference line 2712 of the reference member 2702: −11.1°+0.5°, −8.5°+0.5°, −5.5°+0.5°, −2.8°+0.5°, 2.8°+0.5°, 5.5°+0.5°, 8.5°+0.5°, and 11.1°+0.5°.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, which combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.