Golf Devices and Related Methods

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/737,643, entitled “Golf Devices and Related Methods,” naming as first inventor Michael Graham, which was filed on Dec. 21, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to golfing and golf training devices and methods.

2. Background Art

Golf is a sport played in the U.S. and in other countries. Various devices, systems, and methods exist for helping users train and/or improve golf performance and/or for helping during an actual round of golf. Tees are used in golf to position a ball prior to a golf swing—the golf swing hitting the ball off the tee and toward a desired location (often toward a hole but, in training, sometimes to another location). Some prior art golf tees are placed in the ground (using a lower, spike-shaped portion of the tee) by a user pushing them into the ground/dirt/grass to situate them in a secure configuration for receiving/holding a golf ball prior to a golf swing.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, including: a main body, the main body including a first recess; a first extension member coupled with the main body; and a first tee coupled with the first extension member; wherein the first extension member is movable to a plurality of positions relative to the main body, while remaining coupled thereto, to position the first tee a desired distance from the main body in an in-use configuration; and wherein the first recess is sized and shaped to at least partially receive the first tee in a stored configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the first recess fully receives the first tee in the stored configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the main body includes a second recess connected with the first recess, the second recess sized and shaped to at least partially receive the first extension member in a stored configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, further including a second extension member and a second tee coupled with the second extension member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the first tee is manually replaceable.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the first extension member includes a flat member slidably coupled within one of the first recess and a second recess of the main body.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the flat member is configured to reversibly deform when the first tee is hit by a golf club during a golf swing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, further including a base member coupled with the main body and at least partially securing the first extension member to the main body.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, further including an additional extension member coupled with the main body and further coupled with a turf portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the main body includes an additional recess configured to at least partially receive the additional extension member and the turf portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the additional extension member includes a flat member slidably coupled within the additional recess.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the additional recess is configured to fully receive the additional extension member and the turf portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the turf portion is manually replaceable.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the first extension member and the additional extension member are slidably coupled together using a sliding coupler that is situated within an opening of the first extension member and within an opening of the additional extension member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the main body includes an elevated portion, and wherein the first recess is formed at least partially within the elevated portion.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, including: a main body, the main body including a recess; an extension member coupled with the main body; and a turf portion coupled with the extension member; wherein the extension member is movable to a plurality of positions relative to the main body, while remaining coupled thereto, to position the turf portion a desired distance from the main body in an in-use configuration; and wherein the recess is sized and shaped to at least partially receive the turf portion in a stored configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a golf device, wherein the recess fully receives the turf portion in the stored configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of use of a golf device, including: placing the golf device upon a ground surface, the golf device including a base member and an extension member movably coupled with the base member; extending the extension member away from the base member while the base member remains coupled with the base member, the extension member coupled with a ball-receiving member; coupling a golf ball with the ball-receiving member; and decoupling the golf ball from the ball-receiving member using a motion of a golf club.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the ball-receiving member includes a golf tee.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the ball-receiving member includes a turf portion.

General details of the above-described implementations, and other implementations, are given below in the DESCRIPTION, the DRAWINGS, the CLAIMS and the ABSTRACT.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will be discussed hereafter using reference to the included drawings, briefly described below, wherein like designations refer to like elements. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a top, rear, right perspective view of an implementation of a golf device;

FIG. 2 is a top, front, right, close-up perspective view of the golf device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, rear, left perspective view of components of another implementation of a golf device;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, rear, left perspective view of implementations of a base member and stabilizers of a golf device;

FIG. 5 is a bottom, see-through view of implementations of tee sliders, a chipping slider, and related elements, of a golf device, in a first configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom, see-through view of the elements of FIG. 6 in a second configuration.

DESCRIPTION

Implementations/embodiments disclosed herein (including those not expressly discussed in detail) are not limited to the particular components or procedures described herein. Additional or alternative components, assembly procedures, and/or methods of use consistent with the intended golf devices and related methods may be utilized in any implementation. This may include any materials, components, sub-components, methods, sub-methods, steps, and so forth.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, implementations (and components of implementations) of golf devices are shown. Golf device 100 includes a main body 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 112. In some cases one or more through-holes 106 extend through the main body 102. Spikes 108 (each having an elongated body and a head attached thereto, and which are stored in a side of the main body using storage cavities) may be placed in the through-holes 106 and pressed into a ground surface (such as dirt or grass) to secure golf device 100 thereto (somewhat similar to a tent stake, ensuring that the device doesn't shift or move, or doesn’t overly shift or move, when hitting golf balls). In some cases the main body 102 includes an elevated portion 110 toward its front end. A number of elements may be stored at least partly within the golf device 100 and may be slid or extended/rotated out for use, such as a tee slider 202, tee slider 212, stabilizers 264, handle 140, and chipping slider 230. FIG. 1 is in some ways a simplified drawing, and so (for example) does not include details of how chipping slider 230 couples with the main body 102 (indeed in FIG. 1 it appears to slide below main portion 252 of base member 250, whereas in other cases it would slide into a recess within the main body 102 itself, as seen in FIG. 3).

FIG. 1 shows in-use positions for the tee slider 202, tee slider 212, handle 140, and chipping slider 230. In FIG. 1 the handle 140 is seen to have arms 142 which couple it with the main body 102—the handle can slide fully into the recess 144 so that it is flush with the side of the main body 102, or it can be pulled out (as shown in FIG. 1) for carrying purposes. In some cases the handle and related elements may be altered or excluded. Openings 146 in main body 102 are connected to one another so that a loop can be passed therethrough (for example a carrying strap may be looped through the openings 146 either alternative to or additional to the handle) for carrying the golf device 100 (similar to how straps are used to carry cameras and the like).

The sliding or rotating elements are able to be stored partially or (as in the figures) entirely within the main body by virtue of corresponding cavities or recesses. In cases in which any of these elements are rotated at least partially into and out of the recesses, corresponding hinges may be present, but in the examples in the drawings these elements are configured to slide fully into the recesses, and slide out from the recesses, due to the specific shapes/sizes of the corresponding components and recesses, and without the use of hinges.

As an example, recess 114 (which receives the extension member 214) may include a first portion 116 and a second portion 118, the first portion 116 being wider than the second portion 118. In other words, first portion 116 has a width (parallel with width 215A) which is greater than a width of second portion 118 (also parallel with width 215A). Correspondingly, extension member 214 of tee slider 212 has a wide portion 215, having a width 215A, and a narrow portion 216 having a width (parallel with width 215A) smaller than the width of the wide portion. FIG. 3 shows the recesses and extension member exposed on a bottom of the device, but a base member 250 (shown in FIG. 4) could be secured to the bottom surface 112 such as using threaded couplers 300 secured to threaded openings 138 through openings 254 (which may or may not also be threaded). This keeps the extension member 214 secured within the corresponding recesses, and due to the widths of the different portions of the extension member, and the corresponding widths of the different portions of the corresponding recesses in which the extension member is situated, the extension member is able to slide out of the main body 102 until the wide portion 215 of the extension member abuts the edge formed where the second portion 118 and first portion 116 meet, thus keeping the extension member from exiting the main body but also allowing it to slide into and out of the recess 114.

Similarly, recess 122 (which receives the extension member 204) may include a first portion 124 and a second portion 126, the first portion 124 being wider than the second portion 126. In other words, first portion 124 has a width (parallel with width 215A) which is greater than a width of second portion 126 (also parallel with width 215A). Correspondingly, extension member 204 of tee slider 202 has a wide portion 205, having a width parallel with width 215A, and a narrow portion 206 having a width (also parallel with width 215A) smaller than the width of the wide portion. Again, FIG. 3 shows the recesses and extension member exposed on a bottom of the device, but a base member, as described above, may cover the bottom of the device and secure the extension member within the recesses. This keeps the extension member 204 secured within the corresponding recesses, and due to the widths of the different portions of the extension member, and the corresponding widths of the different portions of the corresponding recesses in which the extension member is situated, the extension member is able to slide out of the main body 102 until the wide portion 205 of the extension member abuts the edge formed where the second portion 126 and first portion 124 meet, thus keeping the extension member from exiting the main body but also allowing it to slide into and out of the recess 122.

In implementations recess 130 (which receives the extension member 232 of the chipping slider 230) may include a first portion 132, a second portion 134 narrower than the first portion, and a third portion 136 wider than the second portion. In other words, first portion 132 has a width (parallel with width 215A) which is greater than a width of the second portion 134 (also parallel with width 215A), and third portion 136 has a width (parallel with width 215A) which is greater than a width of the second portion 134 (also parallel with width 215A). Correspondingly, extension member 232 of chipping slider 230 has a first portion 234, having a width parallel with width 215A, a second portion 236 having a width (also parallel with width 215A) smaller than the width of the first portion, and a third portion 238 having a width (also parallel with width 215A) greater than the width of the second portion. Again, FIG. 3 shows the recesses and extension member exposed on a bottom of the device, but a base member, as described above, may cover the bottom of the device and secure the extension member within the recesses. This keeps the extension member 232 secured within the corresponding recesses, and due to the widths of the different portions of the extension member, and the corresponding widths of the different portions of the corresponding recesses in which the extension member is situated, the extension member is able to slide out of the main body 102 until the third portion 238 of the extension member abuts the edge formed at the juncture where the second portion 134 and third portion 136 meet, thus keeping the extension member from exiting the main body but also allowing it to slide into and out of the recess 130.

FIG. 2 shows that recess 120 may be included to receive tee 218, and recess 128 may be included to receive tee 208. Tee slider 202 is seen to include a tee 208 extending upward from extension member 204, while tee slider 212 is seen to include a tee 218 extending upward from extension member 214. The top 210 of tee 208 may be flat or, in implementations, may form a divot or recess or the like for receiving a golf ball. The top 220 of tee 218 may also be flat or, in implementations, may form a divot or recess for receiving a golf ball. In some cases the tees may be rigid (for example formed of a rigid polymer) and in other cases they may be flexible or very flexible (such as formed of a flexible polymer or foam) depending on the desired use case (if it is likely that a golf club will strike the actual tee during a golf swing then it may be useful for the tee to be more flexible).

Extension member 204 is seen to have an opening 207, and extension member 214 is also seen to have an opening 217. In some cases these may reduce the material used for the extension members and/or may increase the flexibility of the extension member. For example, the tees could be rigid (such as formed of a rigid polymer) but the extension members flexible or very flexible (such as formed of a flexible polymer or foam) so that, even if the golf club strikes the rigid tee, the tee does not break off due to the extension member contorting due to its flexible nature (made more flexible by the openings). Accordingly, in some cases the openings 207/217 make the extension members limber enough to where they don’t break but also fall back into their original position after a golf swing (ready for the next golf ball). In other cases the opening 207 and/or opening 217 may be excluded (for example if they are not needed for the function described above).

The tees are seen to have different sizes, tee 208 having a height 209 that is greater than a height 219 of tee 218. The different sizes allow the user to practice hitting golf balls set at different heights, as desired.

In some cases the tees may be securely fixed to the extension members, such as using an adhesive, a threaded screw or the like passing upward through the extension member and into the bottom of the tee, or through another securing member. The extension member could have a rigid extension extending upward, and the tee could have a corresponding recess, such that the tee slides down onto the rigid extension. In some cases various tees could come in a kit or the like, and the user could replace one tee with another by simply sliding one off the rigid extension and another onto the rigid extension. In other cases the user may replace the entire tee slider when one is worn out or no longer desired to be used (the user may similarly replace an entire chipper slider when one is worn out or no longer desired to be used). Inasmuch as replacing the entire tee slider or the entire chipper slider inherently replaces the corresponding tee or corresponding turf portion, replacing the entire slider in either case is, also, a manual replacement of the corresponding tee or turf portion (though, as discussed herein, any given tee or turf portion may also be manually replaced by removing it from its slider and replacing it with another tee or turf portion). It may be said that each tee is manually replaceable both because the tee itself can be removed from its slider and replaced with another tee and, also, because the entire slider and tee can be replaced together. It may also be said that each turf portion is manually replaceable both because the turf portion itself can be removed from its slider and replaced with another turf portion and, also, because the entire slider and turf portion can be replaced together.

The extension member 204 has edges 204A and the extension member 214 has edges 214A. The corresponding edges of each extension member may be distanced from one another such that the extension member easily slides in and out of main body 102 (the edges generally not contacting or otherwise not having great friction with the corresponding recess sidewalls) or, alternatively, they may be distanced so as to have some friction with the recess sidewalls (the edges contacting the corresponding recess sidewalls, for example) so as to be biased to stay at a desired position, by friction, when pulled partially out of or into the main body, until manually moved again.

In FIG. 1 the extension member 232 of chipping slider 230 is seen to have a top surface 235 on the first portion 234. In FIG. 1 there are two turf portions 240 (these could be used, for example, for left-handed or right-handed chipping practice, and may be formed of artificial turf or the like). In other cases (as in FIG. 3) a single turf portion 242 could fully (or almost fully) cover the top surface 235 (and this could still be used for left-handed or right-handed chipping practice). Various types and sizes/configurations of turf could be used. The extension member 232 has edges 232A. These edges may be distanced from one another such that the extension member 232 easily slides in and out of main body 102 (the edges generally not contacting or having great friction with the corresponding recess sidewalls) or, alternatively, they may be distanced to have some friction (the edges contacting the corresponding recess sidewalls, for example) so as to be biased to stay at a desired position, by friction, when pulled partially out of or pushed into the main body, until manually moved again. In implementations any of the edges discussed herein may be beveled for aesthetics and/or for functional considerations (such as to decrease the likelihood of the edges interacting strongly with a golf club or other item upon contact).

In some cases the turf portion(s) 240 and/or 242 are not homogeneous, for example if there are two turf portions they could be of different heights or in other words could have different nap heights (tall turf for one and short turf for another), or for example if there is only one turf portion it may have a segment with a taller nap or height and another segment with a shorter nap or height. The turf portion(s) may be easily removable and re-attachable to the top surface 235 so that a user can, for example, remove the turf portion and rotate it to have the desired position of long turf vs. short turf for left handed vs. right handed swings (or just to position the tall turf vs. short turf as otherwise desired by the user). Or, even if there are multiple identical turf portions, the user can remove them and reattach them at the desired position/rotation if one portion is more worn out and the user desires to use the other one. The turf portion(s) may be removable and re-attachable manually using hook-and-loop fasteners, or magnets, or a re-attachable adhesive, or any other re-attachable mechanism. There may be other ways the different turf portions are different, other than turf height—for example one portion may be formed of a first turf material and another may be formed of a different turf material, etc.

FIG. 4 shows an example configuration for a base member 250. A main portion 252 may include openings 254 for receiving threaded couplers 300 (which could be screws or bolts or the like) to secure the main portion to the main body 102. Through-holes 256 (which pass from a top surface of the main portion to the bottom surface 262) align with the one or more through-holes 106 for receiving the spikes 108 to secure the device to the ground. It can be envisioned from FIG. 3 that, in some implementations, the spikes can only pass all the way through the through-holes 106 and corresponding through-holes 256 when the corresponding extension members are pulled sufficiently out (because in FIG. 3 the left through-hole 106 is accessible but the right through-hole 106 is covered by the corresponding extension member such that the spike would not be able to pass therethrough to the corresponding through-hole 256). In other implementations, however, the one or more through-holes 106 could be placed in different locations so as to be usable even when the extension members are in the fully stored positions.

The main portion 252 is seen to have recesses 258 for receiving stabilizers 264, and further recesses 260 for allowing rotational freedom of each stabilizer. In some cases the recesses 258 and/or other elements may be configured so that the stabilizers cannot rotate more than 90 degrees from their stored position (for example, to not be in the path of a golf swing). The base member in FIG. 4 thus includes the stabilizers 264 and, as seen in FIG. 1, each can be rotated out to a desired angle 266 to stabilize the device for a golf swing.

In some cases the stabilizers may alternatively or additionally be called alignment arms, and may be used to help a user align a swing (for example the user can align the stabilizers to be parallel to a desired swinging motion/angle, to act as a visual aid for aligning a swing).

In some cases the stabilizers (and corresponding components) may be excluded. In some cases the chipping slider (and corresponding components) may be excluded. In short, golf devices as disclosed herein may have any combination of one or more tees and/or tee sliders, chipping mats or chipping sliders, handles, spikes, and so forth. Any of the chipping sliders disclosed herein (or the turf portions thereof) may also be called chipping mats.

In some cases the main body 102 and/or the golf device 100 may be designed to have enough weight, based on the material (for example it may be formed of a metal or other relatively heavy material), to reduce or prevent shifting/movement when in use on artificial turf or any surface/platform. Even so, the size of the golf device and its weight may be small enough to allow it to be conveniently and easily carried by a user (by the handle or otherwise).

In some cases the tees may be hollow rubber tubes or hollow tubes formed of another polymer or other material (and, in such cases, may not have the tops disclosed/shown herein). The tee portions in such cases may be similar or the same as prior art tees that are used at driving ranges. Several tee styles may be provided and/or used with the golf devices disclosed herein, the tees having different styles and/or heights so that the user may select a desired tee configuration, style, and/or height for any given swing.

In some cases many or all components of the golf device 100 may be configured to be replaced as needed or as components wear out (including tees and/or related sliders, chipping sliders and related components, handles and related components, spikes and related components, stabilizers and related components, etc.).

In some cases standard (preexisting or prior art) golf tees may be able to be secured to the tee sliders for use therewith.

Recess 120 may be said to extend from (or be part of) recess 114. Similarly, recess 128 may be said to extend from (or be part of) recess 122.

Any of the golf devices disclosed herein may be made in multiple sizes and shapes to accommodate different applications. For example, a version designed for a driving range may be larger than a personal unit for use on a golf course.

As described above, the tees and/or tee sliders may be designed such that they will return to their original position after each golf swing/hit.

Elements of the golf devices disclosed herein may be sized to eliminate or reduce a potential of a golf club hitting the main body 102 and/or other elements. For example, the extension members could be sized to distance the tees and/or chipping elements/turf a safe distance from the main body 102 or other components (for example extending eight inches therefrom). The golf devices disclosed herein could use magnets (including high-strength magnets, such as neodymium magnets) for attaching one or more of the elements together (for example coupling the tees with the extension members, or the stabilizers with the main body, or the base member with the main body such that threaded couplers 300 are not needed, or so forth). This may make it easier/faster to replace or alternate elements of the golf device, when desired.

FIGS. 5-6 show alternate versions of elements of golf devices. In FIG. 5 a chipping slider 430 includes a main portion 431 and two extension members 432. Each extension member 432 is seen to have an opening 434 that has a stadium shape. There is a gap 460 between the two extension members 432, and this may for example allow a base member 250 to couple with the main body 102 at a central location, within the gap, as well as at outer edges of each, to allow the base member and main body to more securely be joined together. FIG. 5 also shows two extension members 440 of tee sliders, each having an opening 444 that has a stadium shape. The elements of FIGS. 5-6 are generally shown in see-through format, so that all of the elements can be easily seen—however the chipping slider and tee sliders are viewed from the bottom and the corresponding turf portion and tees are not shown, to more easily illustrate other elements.

The stadium-shaped openings 434 and 444 of the chipping slider and tee sliders are seen to overlap, and a sliding coupler 450 is disposed within the overlapping openings. The sliding coupler may have multiple ridges/edges and/or grooves, to mate with corresponding grooves or ridges/edges of the openings 434 and 444, so that the sliding coupler stays within the openings. The sliding coupler however is free to slide up and down (relative to the page) within limits, allowing each tee slider to be pulled away from, or pushed toward, the chipping slider, and vice versa. In such an implementation for example if the chipping slider is pulled all the way out (as far as it can go), this motion will pull both tee sliders back in, so they are fully within their corresponding recesses within the main body. Similarly, if either of the tee sliders is pulled fully out (as far as it can go), the chipping slider will be pulled back in, so it is fully within its corresponding recess within the main body.

The configurations shown in FIGS. 5-6 thus allow each of the sliders to slide out to a specified distance from the main body, but does not allow any of the sliders to fully decouple from (or separate from) the main body. FIG. 6 shows the same elements that are shown in FIG. 5, except that the rightmost tee slider is slid further away from the main portion of the chipping slider (e.g., further out of the main body), almost to its maximum distance (the stadium-shaped end of the opening 444 of the rightmost tee slider is almost abutting the corresponding sliding coupler 450 and, when they abut, the rightmost tee slider would not be able to slide further out of the main body and further away from the main portion 431 of the chipping slider). In implementations such as those in FIGS. 5-6, the corresponding chipping slider and tee sliders may each also have ridges or grooves that mate with corresponding ridges or grooves of the main body 102, for example, to facilitate their sliding, or they may simply sit within recesses of the main body. In either case, however, the two extension members 432 and two extension members 440 do not need to have wider portions (as with the versions shown in FIG. 3) in order to keep them coupled with the main body 102.

The various devices and/or assemblies disclosed herein and their elements, sub-elements, sub-assemblies, and so forth may be formed from any materials that will feasibly allow, facilitate, and/or otherwise not hinder their respective functions as described herein. For example, any of the devices, elements, or sub-elements may, wherever possible, be formed of metals, polymers, composites, ceramic materials, fabrics, artificial turf, and so forth.

The golf devices and methods disclosed herein may solve a variety of problems. By non-limiting example, they may eliminate problems with standard golf tees or surfaces (such as artificial turf) that don’t allow for the use of standard golf tees when driving golf balls. Driving ranges that have grass surfaces and allow use of standard tees come with the inconvenience of having to replace your tee after each hit, whereas with the golf devices disclosed herein this is not necessary. In addition, the disclosed golf devices improve safety as users do not have to chase after their tee(s) into the “line of fire” while other golfers are practicing. For driving range locations that only have standard artificial turf platforms, the golf devices disclosed herein will open up options for both driving off of a tee and also a chipping surface that will be more natural. In addition to driving ranges, the golf devices disclosed herein (and/or versions thereof) may be used on golf courses as well.

For convenience, a list of elements depicted in the drawings is provided below:

golf device 100 

main body 102 

top surface 104 

through-hole 106 

spike 108 

elevated portion 110 

bottom surface 112 

recess 114 

first portion 116 

second portion 118 

recess 120 

recess 122 

first portion 124 

second portion 126 

recess 128 

recess 130 

first portion 132 

second portion 134 

third portion 136 

threaded openings 138 

handle 140 

arms 142 

recess 144 

opening 146 

tee slider 202 

extension member 204 

edge 204A

wide portion 205 

narrow portion 206 

opening 207 

tee 208 

height 209 

top 210 

tee slider 212 

extension member 214 

edge 214A

wide portion 215 

width 215A

narrow portion 216 

opening 217 

tee 218 

height 219 

top 220 

chipping slider 230 

extension member 232 

edge 232A

first portion 234 

top surface 235 

second portion 236 

third portion 238 

turf portions 240 

turf portion 242 

base member 250 

main portion 252 

openings 254 

through-hole 256 

recess 258 

recess 260 

bottom surface 262 

stabilizer 264 

angle 266 

threaded coupler 300 

chipping slider 430 

main portion 431 

extension member 432 

opening 434 

extension member 440 

opening 444 

sliding coupler 450 

gap 460 

In any of the golf device implementations disclosed herein, the tee(s) and/or turf portions may be called ball-receiving members, inasmuch as they are configured to receive a golf ball (or have a golf ball coupled therewith)—and to have the ball decoupled therewith by impacting the golf ball with a golf club swing or motion.

The various devices and/or assemblies disclosed herein and their elements, sub-elements, sub-assemblies, and so forth may be formed from any materials that will feasibly allow, facilitate, and/or otherwise not hinder their respective functions as described herein. For example, any of the devices, elements, or sub-elements may, wherever possible, be formed of metals, polymers, composites, ceramic materials, fabrics, and so forth.

Furthermore, there are a variety of ways in which the various elements may be directly or indirectly coupled together. Notwithstanding the specific ways in which elements are depicted as being coupled together herein, these same elements could, wherever feasible, be joined together in any of the following ways: manually removably coupled together such as using a friction fit, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and corresponding holes/slits, zippers, a reusable adhesive, manually removable bolts and nuts or screws or other threaded fasteners, mating threads implemented on any components, and any other type of manually removable coupling mechanism; or fixedly/permanently coupled together such as using a permanent adhesive, rivets, welding, melt joining or heat bonding, sewn elements, stitching, seams, and any other type of permanent coupling mechanism that is not manually removable. Manually removable, as defined herein, refers to the ability to remove a coupling using manual force either using hands alone or using non-powered hand tools.

The above-described elements may in implementations be configured or arranged in a variety of arrangements, each arrangement with its own advantages as will be understood by the practitioner of ordinary skill in the art, notwithstanding the specific example arrangements which are discussed herein and representatively illustrated in the drawings.

While each individual above-described element may be configured as shown in the drawings and/or as discussed above, these are only representative examples and other configurations are possible for any individual element, with various advantages and tradeoffs as will be understood by the practitioner of ordinary skill in the art.

In places where the phrase “one of A and B” is used herein, including in the claims, wherein A and B are elements, the phrase shall have the meaning “A and/or B.” This shall be extrapolated to as many elements as are recited in this manner, for example the phrase “one of A, B, and C” shall mean “A, B, and/or C,” and so forth. To further clarify, the phrase “one of A, B, and C” would include implementations having: A only; B only; C only; A and B but not C; A and C but not B; B and C but not A; and A and B and C.

In places where the description above refers to specific implementations of golf devices and related methods, one or more or many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Details of any specific implementation/embodiment described herein may, wherever possible, be applied to any other specific implementation/embodiment described herein. The appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Furthermore, in the claims, if a specific number of an element is intended, such will be explicitly recited, and in the absence of such explicit recitation no such limitation exists. For example, the claims may include phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim elements. The use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of any other claim element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” limits that claim to only one such element, and the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

Additionally, in places where a claim below uses the term “first” as applied to an element, this does not imply that the claim requires a second (or more) of that element—if the claim does not explicitly recite a “second” of that element, the claim does not require a “second” of that element. Furthermore, in some cases a claim may recite a “second” or “third” or “fourth” (or so on) of an element, and this does not necessarily imply that the claim requires a first (or so on) of that element—if the claim does not explicitly recite a “first” (or so on) of that element (or an element with the same name, such as “a widget” and “a second widget”), then the claim does not require a “first” (or so on) of that element.

Method steps disclosed anywhere herein, including in the claims, may be performed in any feasible/possible order. Recitation of method steps in any given order in the claims or elsewhere does not imply that the steps must be performed in that order—such claims and descriptions are intended to cover the steps performed in any order except any orders which are technically impossible or not feasible. However, in some implementations method steps may be performed in the order(s) in which the steps are presented herein, including any order(s) presented in the claims.