Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of golf accessories, and more particularly to devices for enhancing the game of a golf player and methods of use thereof. The present invention can be used to enhance the game of any golf player, such as a beginner, who needs stronger visual cues with respect to the position of the ball on the ground and the intended path of the golf ball. The present invention is particularly adaptable as a game-enhancing device for golfers who are visually challenged, in particular, for golfers suffering from macular degeneration.

Description:
RELATED DOCUMENTS  
       [0001]     The present application is a divisional of United States Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/838,274, filed May 4, 2004, entitled Device For Enhancing the Game of A Golf Player and Methods of Use Thereof, which is incorporated be referenced herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of golf accessories, and more particularly to devices for enhancing the game of a golf player and methods of use thereof.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Golf is an important sport and millions of people enjoy playing golf around the world. Naturally, the abilities of golfers vary widely from beginners to masters. A percentage of these golfers suffer from some sort of physical ailment in one way or another, yet these golf enthusiasts still enjoy the satisfaction of playing golf.  
         [0004]     There are many groups and associations catering to golfers at all levels, including specialized associations for physically challenged golfers. While there has been a trend to produce devices to help beginners and physically challenged persons enhance their golf game, further improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of these devices are desirable, especially devices which help visually challenged golfers, and the present invention addresses the existing problems and provides related benefits.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention relates generally to the field of golf accessories, and more particularly to devices for enhancing the game of a golf player and methods of use thereof. The present invention can be used to enhance the game of any golf player, such as a beginner, who needs stronger visual cues with respect to the position of the ball on the ground and the intended path of the golf ball. The present invention is particularly adaptable as a game-enhancing device for golfers who are visually challenged, in particular, for golfers suffering from macular degeneration.  
         [0006]     The present invention recognizes that game levels of visually challenged golfers can be enhanced by utilizing a strong visual cue regarding the position and the intended path of the golf ball. The present invention is particularly helpful for enhancing the game of a golfer suffering from macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a name for a number of different disorders that have a common end result: the light-sensing cells of the central region of the retina—the macula—malfunction and eventually die, with gradual decline and loss of central vision, while peripheral vision is retained. The most common symptoms are a central blurred or blank spot, distortion of objects or simply blurred vision. Peripheral vision usually remains intact. A golf player with macular degeneration will have a difficult time seeing the golf ball by looking straight at the ball. But, because the peripheral vision of a golfer with macular degeneration is substantially unaffected, the present invention can help the golfer visualize the position of the ball using peripheral indicia.  
         [0007]     A first aspect of the present invention is a device for enhancing the game of a golf player including a substantially flat surface having one or more elongations extending outwardly from a focal point, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations that extend outwardly from the focal point of the device.  
         [0008]     A second aspect of the present invention is a method of enhancing the game of a golf player including the steps of; providing a substantially flat surface including one or more elongations; and providing a focal point including a point where the one or more elongations extend or diverge from, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations.  
         [0009]     A third aspect of the present invention is a method of enhancing the game of a golf player including the steps of; providing a means for a focal point; and providing a means for peripheral view with respect to the focal point, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a device for enhancing the game of a golf player.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of device for enhancing the game of a golf player.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Introduction  
         [0012]     The present invention recognizes that game levels of many golfers, such as beginners or visually challenged golfers, can be enhanced by utilizing a strong visual cue regarding the position and the intended path of the golf ball. The present invention is particularly helpful for enhancing the game of a golfer suffering from macular degeneration.  
         [0013]     As a non-limiting introduction to the breadth of the present invention, the present invention includes several general and useful aspects, including:  
         [0014]     1) a device for enhancing the game of a golf player including a substantially flat surface having one or more elongations extending outwardly from a focal point, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations that extend outwardly from the focal point of the device.  
         [0015]     2) a method of enhancing the game of a golf player including the steps of; providing a substantially flat surface including one or more elongations; and providing a focal point including a point where the one or more elongations extend or diverge from, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations.  
         [0016]     3) a method of enhancing the game of a golf player including the steps of; providing a means for a focal point; and providing a means for peripheral view with respect to the focal point, whereby the golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view.  
         [0017]     The present invention is particularly helpful for enhancing the game of a golfer suffering from macular degeneration. A golf player with macular degeneration who is about to tee off or make a put during a golf game will have a difficult time seeing the golf ball on the ground by looking straight at the ball because the central vision of a person suffering from macular degeneration is generally blurred or contains a blank spot. The present invention utilizes the fact the periphery vision of persons with macular degeneration is generally unaffected in order to help the golfer visualize the position and intended path of the ball using peripheral indicia.  
         [0018]     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To gain a full appreciation of the scope of the present invention, it will be further recognized that various aspects of the present invention can be combined to make desirable embodiments of the invention.  
         [0019]     Unless defined otherwise, 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. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor also contemplates the plural of that term. The nomenclature used herein and the procedures described below are those well known and commonly employed in the art.  
         [0000]     I. Device for Enhancing the Game of a Golf Player  
         [0020]     The present invention includes a device for enhancing the game of a golf player. The present invention includes a substantially flat surface having one or more elongations extending outwardly from a focal point such as, for example, extensions in the shape of a T, or concentric circles in the shape of a bull&#39;s eye. The substantially flat surface can be made of any flexible material that is capable of being placed on a golf course as an aid to a golfer who is about to strike the golf ball. Such material may include, for example, thin flexible rubber, papers, plastics, thin metals, and the like. The present invention may be cut out of a larger piece of a substantially flat surface based on a pattern. Also, the present invention may be printed, drawn, painted, or colored on a larger piece of a substantially flat surface, for example, a practice mat or artificial turf. The substantially flat surface may be of any thickness that is suitable for playing, preferably the thickness of the substantially flat surface is between about 2 inches to about 1/32 inch, and more preferably about one inch to about 1/16 inch, and most preferably about ¼ inch to about 1/8 inch. The substantially flat surface of the present invention can even be painted directly on the playing surface, for example by way of a paint spray of an easily visualizable color. The substantially flat surface includes a focal point that is used by the golf player for placement of the golf ball. A golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations. The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point. The present invention can be used as a visual aid for persons who would benefit from a stronger visual cue about the location of the ball, for example beginners and visually challenged golfers. Golfers suffering from macular degeneration can be benefited by the present invention because macular degeneration affects the central vision and persons with macular degeneration cannot generally see an object when looking straight at the object. What most people who suffer from macular degeneration do is to visualize the blurred or unseen objects in front of them based on cues from peripheral vision. Because the periphery vision of persons suffering from macular degeneration is generally unaffected, the present invention can help such golfers visualize the position and intended path of the ball using peripheral indicia, namely the elongations of the present invention, which lead to and merge on the focal point.  
         [0021]     The present invention may include an aperture located substantially at the focal point for placement of a golf tee, or an aperture in the shape of a notch may be cut out near the focal point such that the present invention may be placed on the playing surface and accept a tee that is already placed on the playing ground. Alternatively, the present invention may comprise a tee fixedly or removably attached substantially near the focal point. The focal point of the present invention can be easily visualized by sufferers of macular degeneration based solely on the peripheral indicia, namely the elongations, with respect to the position of the focal point and therefore the position of the golf ball. A golfer suffering from macular degeneration can successfully hit the ball without ever seeing clearly where the ball is located by visualizing where the ball must be located based on the peripheral cues of the present invention.  
         [0022]     The present invention may take advantage of contrasting colors to emphasize the position of the ball, for example the present invention may be made of a contrasting color or colors or painted with a contrasting color or colors with respect to the color of the playing surface. For example, if golf is being played on grass, a white colored device may be used to clearly be in contrast to the green color of the grass in order to aid the golfer better see the device and its one or more elongations.  
         [0023]     The device of the present invention may enhance the aiming and targeting of the golf ball by including at least one elongation that extends toward the direction or in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel. However, it is preferable that the elongation extend towards and not extend in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel so that any possibility of the golf club hitting the elongation and interfering with the golf swing is eliminated. For, example if the hole is some 100 yards away, the present invention can be placed on the ground in such a way that at least one of the elongations is directed exactly toward the hole in order to enhance the targeting of the ball toward the hole.  
         [0024]     The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point, for example, the present invention can be in the shape of a T, a semi-circle, a bull&#39;s eye, or rays emanating from a singly point. By way of an example, the present invention may be substantially in the shape of a T with the focal point located substantially at the intersection. The present invention can be of any size and dimension, but what is important is that the size of the present invention be large enough for the golfer to clearly see the elongations form where he is standing and be able to clearly visualize the focal point. For example, the T-shaped embodiment of the present invention can have elongations of about 4 feet to about 2 inches, more preferably elongations of about 2 feet to about one foot, and most preferably elongations of about one foot to about six inches.  
         [0000]     II. A Method of Enhancing the Game of a Golf Player  
         [0025]     The present invention includes a method of enhancing the game of a golf player. The method of the present invention includes a method of providing a substantially flat surface having one or more elongations such as, for example, extensions in the shape of a T, or concentric circles in the shape of a bull&#39;s eye. The method of the present invention also includes the step of providing a focal point, namely the point where the one or more elongations of the present invention extend to diverge from, where by a golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations. The substantially flat surface of the present invention can be made of any flexible material that is capable of being placed on a golf course as an aid to a golfer who is about to strike the golf ball. Such material may include, for example, thin flexible rubber, papers, plastics, thin metals, and the like. The present invention may be cut out of a larger piece of a substantially flat surface based on a pattern. Also, the present invention may be printed, drawn, painted, or colored on a larger piece of a substantially flat surface, for example, a practice mat or artificial turf. The substantially flat surface may be of any thickness that is suitable for playing, preferably the thickness of the substantially flat surface is between about 2 inches to about 1/32 inch, and more preferably about one inch to about 1/16 inch, and most preferably about ¼ inch to about 1/8 inch. The substantially flat surface of the present invention can even be painted directly on the playing surface, for example by way of a paint spray of an easily visualizable color. The substantially flat surface includes a focal point that is used by the golf player for placement of the golf ball. A golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view of the one or more elongations. The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point. The present invention can be used as a visual aid for persons who would benefit from a stronger visual cue about the location of the ball, for example beginners and visually challenged golfers. Golfers suffering from macular degeneration can be greatly benefited by the present invention because macular degeneration affects the central vision and persons with macular degeneration cannot generally see an object when looking straight at the object. What most people who suffer from macular degeneration do is to visualize the blurred or unseen objects in front of them based on cues from peripheral vision. Because the periphery vision of persons suffering from macular degeneration is generally unaffected, the present invention can help such golfers visualize the position and intended path of the ball using peripheral indicia, namely the elongations of the present invention, which lead to and merge on the focal point.  
         [0026]     The present invention may include an aperture located substantially at the focal point for placement of a golf tee, or an aperture in the shape of a notch may be cut out near the focal point such that the present invention may be placed on the playing surface and accept a tee that is already placed on the playing ground. Alternatively, the present invention may comprise a tee fixedly or removably attached substantially near the focal point. The focal point of the present invention can be easily visualized by sufferers of macular degeneration based solely on the peripheral indicia, namely the elongations, with respect to the position of the focal point and therefore the position of the golf ball. A golfer suffering from macular degeneration can successfully hit the ball without ever seeing clearly where the ball is located by visualizing where the ball must be located based on the peripheral cues of the present invention.  
         [0027]     The present invention may take advantage of contrasting colors to emphasize the position of the ball, for example the present invention may be made of a contrasting color or colors or painted with a contrasting color or colors with respect to the color of the playing surface. For example, if golf is being played on grass, a white colored device may be used to clearly be in contrast to the green color of the grass in order to aid the golfer better see the device and its one or more elongations.  
         [0028]     The device of the present invention may enhance the aiming and targeting of the golf ball by including at least one elongation that extends toward the direction or in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel. However, it is preferable that the elongation extend towards and not extend in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel so that any possibility of the golf club hitting the elongation and interfering with the golf swing is eliminated. For, example if the hole is some 100 yards away, the present invention can be placed on the ground in such a way that at least one of the elongations is directed exactly toward the hole in order to enhance the targeting of the ball toward the hole.  
         [0029]     The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point, for example, the present invention can be in the shape of a T, a semi-circle, a bull&#39;s eye, or rays emanating from a singly point. By way of an example, the present invention may be substantially in the shape of a T with the focal point located substantially at the intersection. The present invention can be of any size and dimension, but what is important is that the size of the present invention be large enough for the golfer to clearly see the elongations form where he is standing and be able to clearly visualize the focal point. For example, the T-shaped embodiment of the present invention can have elongations of about 4 feet to about 2 inches, more preferably elongations of about 2 feet to about one foot, and most preferably elongations of about one foot to about six inches.  
         [0000]     III: Another Method of Enhancing the Game of a Golf Player  
         [0030]     The present invention includes a method of enhancing the game of a golf player. The method of the present invention includes the step of providing means for a focal point, and also the step of providing means for peripheral view, for example elongations, with respect to the focal point, namely, a point where one or more peripheral indicia extend or diverge from the focal point. The present invention allows a golf player to place a golf ball substantially near the means for focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the means for peripheral view. The means for focal point and means for peripheral view can be continuous and unitary but they can also be non-continuous and be made of subunits. The means for focal point and means for peripheral view may form a substantially flat surface, which can be made of any flexible material that is capable of being placed on a golf course as an aid to a golfer who is about to strike the golf ball. Such material may include, for example, thin flexible rubber, papers, plastics, thin metals, and the like. The substantially flat surface includes a focal point that is used by the golf player for placement of the golf ball. A golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point and be able to visualize the position of the golf ball from the peripheral view, for example the directions of the one or more elongations. The present invention may be cut out of a larger piece of a substantially flat surface based on a pattern. Also, the present invention may be printed, drawn, painted, or colored on a larger piece of a substantially flat surface, for example, a practice mat or artificial turf. The substantially flat surface may be of any thickness that is suitable for playing, preferably the thickness of the substantially flat surface is between about 2 inches to about 1/32 inch, and more preferably about one inch to about 1/16 inch, and most preferably about ¼ inch to about 1/8 inch. The substantially flat surface of the present invention can even be painted directly on the playing surface, for example by way of a paint spray of an easily visualizable color. The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point. The present invention can be used as a visual aid for persons who would benefit from a stronger visual cue about the location of the ball, for example beginners and visually challenged golfers. Golfers suffering from macular degeneration can be greatly benefited by the present invention because macular degeneration affects the central vision and persons with macular degeneration cannot generally see an object when looking straight at the object. What most people who suffer from macular degeneration do is to visualize the blurred or unseen objects in front of them based on cues from peripheral vision. Because the periphery vision of persons suffering from macular degeneration is generally unaffected, the present invention can help such golfers visualize the position and intended path of the ball using peripheral indicia, namely the elongations of the present invention, which lead to and merge on the focal point.  
         [0031]     The present invention may include an aperture located substantially at the focal point for placement of a golf tee, or an aperture in the shape of a notch may be cut out near the focal point such that the present invention may be placed on the playing surface and accept a tee that is already placed on the playing ground. Alternatively, the present invention may comprise a tee fixedly or removably attached substantially near the focal point. The focal point of the present invention can be easily visualized by sufferers of macular degeneration based solely on the peripheral indicia, namely the elongations, with respect to the position of the focal point and therefore the position of the golf ball. A golfer suffering from macular degeneration can successfully hit the ball without ever seeing clearly where the ball is located by visualizing where the ball must be located based on the peripheral cues of the present invention.  
         [0032]     The present invention may take advantage of contrasting colors to emphasize the position of the ball, for example the present invention may be made of a contrasting color or colors or painted with a contrasting color or colors with respect to the color of the playing surface. For example, if golf is being played on grass, a white colored device may be used to clearly be in contrast to the green color of the grass in order to aid the golfer better see the device and its one or more elongations.  
         [0033]     The device of the present invention may enhance the aiming and targeting of the golf ball by including at least one elongation that extends toward the direction or in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel. However, it is preferable that the elongation extend towards and not extend in the opposite direction of where the golf ball is to travel so that any possibility of the golf club hitting the elongation and interfering with the golf swing is eliminated. For, example if the hole is some 100 yards away, the present invention can be placed on the ground in such a way that at least one of the elongations is directed exactly toward the hole in order to enhance the targeting of the ball toward the hole.  
         [0034]     The present invention can be in any shape that will aid the golfer take advantage of peripheral visual cues, namely one or more elongations that lead to or focus on the focal point, for example, the present invention can be in the shape of a T, a semi-circle, a bull&#39;s eye, or rays emanating from a single point. By way of an example, the present invention may be substantially in the shape of a T with the focal point located substantially at the intersection. The present invention can be of any size and dimension, but what is important is that the size of the present invention be large enough for the golfer to clearly see the elongations form where he is standing and be able to clearly visualize the focal point. For example, the T-shaped embodiment of the present invention can have elongations of about 4 feet to about 2 inches, more preferably elongations of about 2 feet to about one foot, and most preferably elongations of about one foot to about six inches.  
       EXAMPLES  
     Example I  
     Device for Enhancing the Game of a Golf Player  
       [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1  shows one aspect of the present invention in a substantially T-shaped embodiment of the present invention  100 . In this embodiment, the substantially flat surface of the substantially T-shaped device of the present invention  100  is made of a thin flexible rubber having a thickness of about 1/8 inch and includes multiple elongations  101  which are the horizontal and vertical lines that form the substantially T-shape and extend outwardly from the cross section area which is the focal point  102 , optionally having an aperture substantially near the focal point  102  which is capable of accepting a tee, and/or an aperture in the form of a notch  103  may be cut out substantially near the focal point which is capable of accepting a tee. A golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point  102  of the substantially T-shaped flat surface  100 , and be able to visualize the position of a golf ball at the focal point  102  based on the peripheral view of the elongations  101  of the present invention. The aim of the golfer can be enhanced by extending any one of the elongations, preferably the vertical elongation of the T of the present invention toward the intended direction of the golf ball.  
       Example II  
     Another Device for Enhancing the Game of a Golf Player  
       [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 2  shows another aspect of the present invention in a substantially bull&#39;s eye-shaped embodiment of the present invention  200 . In this embodiment, the substantially flat surface of the substantially bull&#39;s eye-shaped device of the present invention  200  is made of thin flexible rubber having a thickness of about 1/8 inch and includes a focal point  203  and having means for accepting a golf tee  201 . The means for a peripheral view of this embodiment is the larger circular area  202  of the substantially flat surface, which in this embodiment includes multiple elongations  204  drawn or painted on the substantially flat surface, which originate and extend from the focal point. A golf player can place a golf ball substantially near the focal point  203  of the substantially bull&#39;s eye-shaped flat surface  200 , and be able to visualize the position of a golf ball at the focal point  202  based on the peripheral view of the larger circular area  202  of the substantially flat surface with the added help of the drawn or painted elongations  204  of the present invention. The aim of the golfer can be enhanced by extending any one of the elongations of the present invention toward the intended direction of the golf ball.  
         [0037]     All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified. Various changes and departures may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that specifically described in the specification or as illustrated in the drawings, but only as set forth in the claims.