Abstract:
A golf ball marker and holder includes a clip that is sized for attachment to a shoe. A marker having a solid face is also provided and is removably attached to said clip. An image covers at least part of a central portion of the solid face. One of the holder and the marker includes a ferrous portion, while an other of the holder and the marker includes a magnetic portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to golf ball markers, and more particularly to a clip and magnetic golf ball marker for clipping to a golf shoe.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Over the years, golfers have used a variety of devices to mark their position on the green when temporary removal of their ball is desired or necessary. The most common marking means used by golfers is a small marker, such as a coin or other small, flat disc. In fact, this marking means has become so common that golf gloves and even putters have been developed that include a removable golf ball marker of this type. However, it should be appreciated that golfers rarely select golf equipment such as gloves or shoes based on the marker that they carry, they more often select such equipment based upon its fit and comfort. Further, when utilizing golf equipment including an incorporated golf ball marker, if the marker is misplaced, a replacement marker that can be used with the golf equipment can seldom be found.  
           [0003]    The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a golf ball marker and holder includes a clip that is sized for attachment to a shoe. A marker having a solid face with an image at least partially covering a central portion is also provided and is removably attached to said clip. One of the holder and the marker includes a ferrous portion, while an other of the holder and the marker includes a magnetic portion.  
           [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a golf ball marker and shoe includes a marker having a solid face with an image at least partially covering a central portion and being removably attached to a clip. One of the clip and the marker has a ferrous portion, while an other of the clip and the marker has a magnetic portion. The clip is clipped to a shoe.  
           [0006]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of marking a golf ball includes detaching a ball marker having a solid face from a clip that is attached to a shoe. The ball marker is replaced on the clip, at least in part by magnetically attaching the ball marker to the clip. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a golf shoe including a golf ball marker and clip according to the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a front view of the clip of FIG. 1, and  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view of the golf ball marker and clip of FIG. 1 as viewed along section line  3 - 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3  there is illustrated a golf ball marker and holder  10  according to the present invention. As illustrated, golf ball marker and holder  10  provides a clip  12  that is sized for attachment to a shoe  11 . Shoe  11  can be a golf shoe or any other shoe worn by a golfer while playing golf A marker  20  is magnetically attached to clip  12 . Preferably, marker  20  is composed of a ferrous material and clip  12  preferably includes a magnet  15 . While magnet  15  is preferably glued to clip  12 , it should be appreciated that magnet  15  could be attached to clip  12  in any other suitable manner, such as via an alternative adhesive or by being molded into clip  12 . It should be further appreciated that marker  20  could be composed of any suitable material, such as plastic, and could include an appropriately positioned ferrous portion. In addition, clip  12  could be composed of any other suitable material, such as plastic. For instance, clip  12  is preferably composed of a dark plastic or composite material. Further, clip  12  could instead be composed of a ferrous material, or include a ferrous portion, and marker  20  could be, or could include, a magnet.  
         [0011]    As best illustrated in FIG. 3, a top edge  13  of clip  12  is preferably rounded to reduce the likelihood of discomfort to the golfer associated with use of clip  12 . Additionally, clip  12  includes a face  14  that preferably includes dimpling to imitate the surface of a golf ball, as shown. Alternatively, face  14  could be flat or it could include any desirable texture feature. Face  14  preferably defines a recessed portion  17  that is sized and positioned to receive marker  20 . Face  14  preferably includes one or more indentations  16  that are sized and positioned to allow a golfer to grasp marker  20  to remove it from recessed portion  17 . Similarly, marker  20  can be replaced by inserting marker  20  back into recessed cavity  17 . It should be appreciated that marker  20  could also be sized to further protrude from recessed cavity  17  and could include a rim or other similar feature to aid in removal from recessed cavity  17 . In addition, while marker  20  could be held in place by magnet  15  alone, it should be appreciated that it is more securely held on clip  12  when inserted into recessed cavity  17 . Thus, the likelihood of marker  20  being accidentally brushed off of clip  12  by the golfer&#39;s pantleg, by golf course terrain or otherwise, can be greatly reduced.  
         [0012]    Referring again to FIG. 1, marker  20  preferably has a solid face  22  that is sized to allow a central portion  23  of face  22  to include an image, such as a corporate logo or another indicator of origin. For instance, as illustrated, face  20  could include advertising in the form of a corporate or event logo. Similarly, face  20  could include a school emblem, a monogram or any other desirable message or indicator. In addition, while marker  20  is preferably composed of a ferrous material, face  22  could be composed of any suitable material. In addition, it should be appreciated that marker  20  could include a rounded transparent covering to extend over solid face  22 . Thus, it should be appreciated that marker  20 , and thus face  22 , could be composed of any number or type of materials suitable for display of a logo, emblem or other message. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates marker  20  having the logo of golf shoe marker FootJoy on its solid face.  
         [0013]    When in use, clip  12  is preferably clipped on the outside of the right shoe to be worn during the round of golf. When a golfer steps forward and bends down to temporarily remove his ball from the green, marker  20  can be conveniently removed from clip  12  and placed in position. Similarly, as the golfer steps forward and bends down to replace his ball, marker  20  can be retrieved from the green and replaced on clip  12  in a convenient manner. In addition, because marker  20  is positioned in recessed portion  17  when not in use, it can be securely stored on clip  12  when not in use. However, it should be appreciated that indentations  16 , in addition to the slight difference in height between marker  20  and recessed portion  17 , will allow marker  10  to be easily removed from clip  12  when needed. In addition, because clip  12  is removably attachable to shoe  11 , it can be removed from shoe  11  for storage when it is not in use. Further, because marker  20  includes a solid face  22 , it can be modified to include any desirable logo or other indicator.  
         [0014]    It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.