Patent Publication Number: US-9415292-B2

Title: Golf cup accessory

Description:
COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION 
     The disclosure below may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the documents containing this disclosure, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The game of golf has gained great popularity attracting more new players than ever before. However, the skills necessary to play the game are difficult to master, particularly when it comes to putting. A number of practice putting devices exist that reduce the diameter of a standard golf cup. 
     SUMMARY 
     The relatively small diameter of the standard golf cup makes putting challenging and frustrating to even the most skilled golfers. Due to their reduced diameter, existing practice putting devices make putting into these devices even more challenging than putting into a standard golf cup. To new players, such frustration may prove difficult to overcome and may ultimately turn many new players away from the game. 
     Thus, a need exists for a golf cup accessory that effectively increases the approach area of a standard golf cup, i.e., the opening area as described below, thereby relieving some of the frustration that new golfers face as they learn to putt. The golf cup accessory according to various embodiments of the present invention effectively increases the approach area of a standard golf cup. Further, the golf cup accessory preferably may fit any standard golf cup, be easy to install, be durable and be customizable to provide varying degrees of golf cup area augmentation, depending on the skill level of a given golfer. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, an accessory for association with a standard golf cup includes an adapter, a trapping portion and a rise. The adapter is configured to fit within the standard golf cup. The trapping portion is coupled to the adapter, has a recess and delimits a generally planar approach area that is greater in size than an approach area of the standard golf cup. The rise is coupled to the trapping portion. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an accessory for association with a standard golf cup includes a trapping portion and a rise. The trapping portion has a recess and delimits a generally planar approach area that is greater in size than an approach area of the standard golf cup. The rise is coupled to the trapping portion. When the accessory is in an operating position, the trapping portion includes a downwardly extending throughbore, extending from the bottom surface of the trapping portion entirely through the accessory, that aligns with an opening formed by the standard golf cup. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a practice golf cup includes a rise portion and a trapping portion coupled to the rise portion. The trapping portion has a recess, a rim, and a surface portion that includes a golf ball trajectory modifier selected from the group consisting of an ultra-smooth surface, a material of high rolling resistance, and at least one baffle. 
     These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments of the invention in their various aspects as provided by one or more of the various examples described in detail below, will become apparent after consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, are not drawn to scale, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf cup accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the golf cup accessory of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the golf cup accessory of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the golf cup accessory of  FIG. 1  along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative configuration of the golf cup accessory of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative configuration of the golf cup accessory of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of a third alternative configuration of the golf cup accessory of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative configuration of the golf cup accessory of the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 6A-E  are plan views of additional alternative configurations of the golf cup accessory of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a detachable component according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of detachable components according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a customizable detachable component; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a golf cup accessory according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the golf cup accessory of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is perspective view of a practice golf cup according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the practice golf cup of  FIG. 12  along line  13 - 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6E , an exemplary embodiment of a golf cup accessory having a number of exemplary alternative configurations is depicted. The golf cup accessory  1  includes an adapter  10 , a trapping portion  20  and a rise  30 . The adapter  10  is configured to fit within a standard golf cup. As used herein, a standard golf cup is a golf cup having an inside diameter of 4.25 inches (within a reasonable margin of error) and a depth of at least 4 inches, and therefore complies with USGA (United States Golf Association) and other international golf regulations. 
     In one embodiment, the adapter  10  may have a shape that is substantially complementary to that of a standard golf cup. Accordingly, the adapter  10  may have a substantially cylindrical shape with an outer diameter D that ranges between about 3.75 inches and about 4.25 inches, more preferably ranging between about 4.0 inches and about 4.25 inches, and even more preferably ranging between about 4.20 inches and about 4.25 inches. Preferably, a snug fit is provided between the adapter  10  and the standard golf cup. 
     However, the outer diameter D of the adapter  10  need not be limited to the above-disclosed ranges and may, for example, have any outer diameter D that is equal to or less than 4.25 inches, as long as the adapter  10  fits within a standard golf cup. Further, the adapter  10  is not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape. For instance, the adapter  10  may have any substantially polygonal shape, or any other shape, so long as the adapter  10 , irrespective of its outer shape, is able to fit within a standard golf cup. Alternatively, or in addition, the adapter  10  is configured to fit within a conventional flagstick receiver (not shown) of a standard golf cup. 
     At least a portion of the adapter  10  may be hollow. In one embodiment, the entire adapter  10  may be hollow, defining a downwardly extending throughbore  31  having a substantially cylindrical inner space with an inner diameter D′ that is smaller than the outer diameter D of the adapter  10  (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ). The space within the inner diameter D′ and the outer diameter D defines a thickness of the adapter  10 . The thickness of the adapter  10  may vary according to the material that is used for its construction, the desired weight, or the desired useable life of the golf cup accessory  1 . 
     Alternatively, only a top portion of the adapter  10  may be hollow. As used herein, the top portion of the adapter  10  is the portion of the adapter  10  that, when the adapter  10  is inserted into a standard golf cup, includes the end of the adapter  10  that is closest to the turf. In this case, while in use, a golf ball that rolls into the trapping portion  20  may fall within the hollow portion of the adapter  10 , but would not ultimately fall within the standard golf cup. When only the top portion of the adapter  10  is hollow, the trapping portion  20  may have a substantially upwardly concave shape. However, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5D , in this embodiment, the trapping portion  20  need not be limited to such shape. In fact, the trapping portion  20  may have any shape that defines a hollow space that is sufficiently large to receive a golf ball. Alternatively, the adapter  10  may be a solid piece. 
     The trapping portion  20  of the golf cup accessory  1  is coupled to the adapter  10 . The coupling means between the adapter  10  and the trapping portion  20  may vary. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the adapter  10  and the trapping portion  20  may be formed of a substantially unitary body. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in the second embodiment (discussed below), the trapping portion  20  may be detachably connected to the adapter  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5D , the trapping portion  20  includes a bottom surface  28 , and an upper edge  24  that delimits a generally planar approach area  26 . As used herein, the approach area  26  of the golf cup accessory  1  is the area of the portion of an imaginary plane defined by the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20 , such that when the golf cup accessory  1  is installed in a standard golf cup, a golf ball that is located in the approach area  26  will become trapped by trapping portion  20  (see e.g.  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). When the golf cup accessory  1  is installed in a standard golf cup, the approach area  26  is substantially parallel to a standard golf cup approach area. As used herein, the standard golf cup approach area is the area of the portion of an imaginary plane defined by a top edge of the opening of a standard golf cup. The opening of a standard golf cup has a substantially circular shape, with a diameter of the top edge being about 4.25 inches (within a reasonable margin of error) and a radius of about 2.125 inches. Accordingly, the standard golf cup approach area is substantially equal to the area of a circle (i.e., πr 2 ) with a radius of 2.125 inches, or approximately 14.2 in 2 . 
     The approach area  26  is greater than the standard golf cup approach area, and the size of the approach area  26  may vary depending on how much easier it is desired to make putting. Therefore, the approach area  26  is greater than approximately 14.2 in 2 . In some embodiments, the approach area  26  is substantially larger than the standard golf cup approach area. For example, in one embodiment, the approach area  26  is at least twice the size of the standard golf cup approach area. However, the approach area  26  need not be limited to such ratio, as long as the approach area  26  is greater than the standard golf cup approach area. 
     The shape of the approach area  26  may vary. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the approach area  26  of the trapping portion  20  may have a substantially circular shape, with an inner diameter that is greater than 4.25 inches. For example, the inner diameter of the approach area  26  may range between about 4.25 inches and about 25 inches. More preferably, the diameter of the approach area  26  may range between about 4.5 inches and about 17 inches. Even more preferably, the diameter of the approach area  26  may range between about 6 inches and about 15 inches. Most preferably, the diameter of the approach area  26  may range between about 8 inches and about 15 inches. 
     However, the approach area  26  need not be limited to a substantially circular shape. Rather, the approach area  26  may have any desired polygonal shape, or any other shape, so long as the area of an imaginary plane defined by the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20  is greater than the standard golf cup approach area (i.e., greater than about 14.2 in 2 ). 
     The trapping portion  20  includes a recess  27  for receiving a golf ball. A number of exemplary alternative configurations of the trapping portion  20  are shown in  FIGS. 4-5D . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5D , when the golf cup accessory  1  is installed in a standard golf cup extending downward from a generally planar turf surface  60 , the bottom surface  28  may be substantially parallel to the turf surface  60 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5D , the length U of the bottom surface  28 , is optionally less than the radius of a golf ball, thereby preventing a golf ball from coming to rest on the bottom surface  28 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , at least a portion of the bottom surface  28  may taper downwardly in a direction toward a central axis  62  of the standard golf cup. However, the bottom surface  28  need not be limited to such configuration. For instance, in some embodiments the bottom surface  28  follows a generally linear inclined path. In other embodiments, the bottom surface  28  follows an upwardly concave path or, alternatively, an upwardly convex path, when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. Preferably, the bottom surface  28  of the trapping portion  20  tapers downwardly toward the central axis  62  of the golf cup over the entirety of the bottom surface  28 , e.g. in a funnel-like or conical manner. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5D , a vertical sidewall  29  extends substantially vertically from the bottom surface  28  of the recess  27  in an upward direction, when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. The vertical sidewall  29  at least partially surrounds the bottom surface  28  of the recess  27 . 
     The rise  30  of the golf cup accessory  1  is adjacent to the trapping portion  20  and serves as a ramp, guiding a golf ball toward the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 4-5D , the rise  30  may have various configurations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position, the rise  30  may have an upwardly concave inclined upper surface. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5A , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position, the rise  30  may have a substantially flat inclined upper surface. Further, as shown in  FIG. 5B , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position, the rise  30  may have an upwardly convex inclined upper surface. However, the rise  30  need not be limited to the above-discussed configurations, and may in fact have any configuration or combinations of multiple configurations, as long as when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position, the rise  30  guides a golf ball from a lower end  32  thereof (i.e., closest to the turf) to the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the rise  30  has an angle of inclination θ. As used herein, the angle of inclination θ is the angle formed between the planar turf surface  60  and the inclined surface of the rise  30 , measured in an imaginary vertical plane (e.g. in the plane of the paper as shown in  FIG. 5A ) that passes through the central axis  62  of the golf cup, when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. The angle of inclination θ may be selected from a range of values having a lower limit and an upper limit. Preferably, the inclination angle θ is selected based on at least the following considerations: (1) the degree to which the presence of the golf cup accessory  1  affects golf ball trajectory as compared with a conventional turf surface with a standard golf cup; and (2) the degree to which the presence of the golf cup accessory  1  affects the trapping (or failing to trap) of a rolling golf ball as compared with a conventional turf surface with a standard golf cup. The lower limit is preferably sufficient to prevent a golf ball from rolling out, where the golf ball would not have rolled out from a standard golf cup, thus minimizing consideration (2). The upper limit is preferably a value that avoids significant disruption of ball travel path (as compared with the anticipated ball travel path for the same trajectory on a planar standard green surface), thus minimizing consideration (1). In view of the above considerations, the angle of inclination θ of the rise  30  may, for example, be less than or equal to about 30 degrees, is more preferably less than or equal to about 20 degrees, and is even more preferably less than or equal to about 10 degrees. Thus, the angle of inclination θ of the rise  30  may range between about 2 degrees and about 10 degrees, more preferably between about 4 degrees and about 10 degrees. In some embodiments (e.g. where the inclined surface of the rise  30  is non-linear), the inclination angle θ varies along the inclined surface. In such embodiments, the maximum inclination angle θ is preferably within the ranges discussed above with regard to the linear inclined surface as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the rise  30  has a height H. As used herein, the height H of the rise  30  is the vertical distance between the lower end  32  and the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20 , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. The height H is preferably selected based on similar considerations as those relating to the inclination angle θ discussed above. Specifically, the height H may range between about 0.125 inches and about 6 inches. More preferably, the rise  30  may have a height H that ranges between about 0.125 inches and about 4 inches. Most preferably, the rise  30  may have a height H that ranges between about 0.125 inches and about 2 inches. For example, the height H may have a value of about 0.25 inches, of about 0.50 inches, of about 0.75 inches, or any other value within the above ranges. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the upper surface of the rise  30  has a length L. As used herein, the length L of the inclined surface of the rise  30  is the shortest distance between a point positioned on the lower end  32  of the inclined surface of the rise  30  (i.e., closest to the turf) and the upper edge  24  of the trapping portion  20 , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. That is, the length L of the upper surface of the rise  30  is the shortest distance that a golf ball will travel along the rise  30 , from the lower end  32  of the inclined surface of the rise  30  to arrive at the recess  27  of the trapping portion  20 . The length L is preferably selected based on similar considerations as those relating to the inclination angle θ discussed above. Thus, the length L of the rise  30  may, for example, be less than or equal to about 8 inches, and preferably less than or equal to about 5 inches. Alternatively, the length L of the rise  30  may range between about 0.5 inch and about 5 inches. Most preferably, the length L of the rise  30  may range between about 1 inch and about 4 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the rise  30  may include a weight element  36  that helps retain the rise  30  as close to the ground as possible. The weight element  36  may be an integral part of the rise  30 , or a separate element. For example, the weight element  36  may be a high-density insert that is attached to the bottom of the rise  30 . In such embodiment, the weight element  36  preferably comprises a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of the rise portion. More preferably, the weight insert comprises a specific gravity greater than 5 and, even more preferably, a specific gravity greater than 7. The high-density insert may have a ring-like shape, or any desired shape. Further, the weight element  36  may be attachable to the rise  30  by various means. For example, the weight element  36  may be mechanically attached by fasteners that snap the weight element  36  into place, or attached using adhesives or welding. Alternatively, the weight element  36  may be a thickened portion that is made of the same material as the rise  30 , but with higher density, or may comprise a different, higher-density material that is co-molded with the rise  30 . In some embodiments, a weight member is alternatively or additionally secured to other portions of the golf cup accessory  1 , e.g. to the adapter  10  or to the trapping portion  20 . 
     The upper surface of the rise  30  may include a surface treatment. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 5D , the upper surface of the rise  30  may include a turf-like material  37 . The turf-like material  37  may help conceal the inclination of the rise  30 , thereby allowing the golf cup accessory  1  to blend-in with the natural turf. Further, the turf-like material  37  may vary in height. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3F , the turf-like material  37  may decrease in height from the lower end  32  of the rise  30  to the upper edge  24 . In addition to concealing the inclination of the rise  30 , the turf-like material  37  also aids the golf ball in transitioning from turf to the various surfaces of the golf cup accessory  1 , further minimizing deviation in ball trajectory, as compared with ball trajectory in a standard environment, i.e. a conventional golf cup extending downward from a conventional putting turf. 
     The bottom surface  28  of the recess  27  may include various golf ball trajectory modifiers disposed thereupon. For example, an ultra-smooth surface treatment, or a material of high rolling resistance may be applied to at least part of the bottom surface  28 . As used herein, an ultra-smooth surface is a surface having a surface roughness (R a ) no greater than about 10 μin. However, more preferably, in embodiments including an ultra-smooth surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface  28  of the trapping portion comprises a surface roughness (R a ) no greater than 5 μin. The benefit of such a surface is to minimize friction between the surface and a golf ball to such an extent as to prevent, or substantially minimize, the ability of the golf ball to roll, thus expediting travel of the golf ball toward the central axis  60 . This minimizes the ability of the golf ball to escape from the trapping portion  20 . As used herein, a material of high rolling resistance is a material having a rolling resistance (or rolling friction) coefficient that is approximately equal to or larger than that of conventional billiard felt, relative to a conventional ionomer-coated golf ball. The material of high rolling resistance may include, for example, foam, a gel-like material, a sand-like material, a visco-elastic material, a polymeric material, a rubber, a fabric, or a felt. A surface having a high rolling resistance reduces the kinetic energy of the golf ball, thus decreasing the ability of the golf ball to escape from the trapping portion. 
     Further, baffles may be included on at least part of the bottom surface  28 . The baffles may reduce the speed of a golf ball and/or advantageously modify the golf ball&#39;s trajectory, e.g. direct the golf ball toward the central axis  62 . The baffles may include, for example, auxiliary recesses, projections, a combination of auxiliary recesses and projections, and/or one or more ribs. For instance, the ribs  23  discussed below constitute projections, while the regions between the ribs  23  define auxiliary recesses. Alternative configurations of projections and recesses are possible, including projections not formed as ribs and auxiliary recesses formed as indentations or concavities in the bottom surface  28  itself. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E , the ribs  23  may be aligned in various configurations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the ribs  23  may be substantially concentrically aligned relative to a central axis  62  of the golf cup accessory  1 , when the golf cup accessory  1  is in an operating orientation/position. As shown in  FIG. 6B , the ribs  23  may be substantially spiral-like. As shown in  FIG. 6C  the ribs  23  may be substantially radially aligned relative to the central axis  62  of the golf cup accessory  1 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 6D , the ribs  23  may have a generally arcuate shape and optionally follow a helical path as shown. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 6E , the ribs  23  may be arranged to define portions of the bottom surface  28  that are formed between the ribs  23 . Such portions may have any desired shape, as may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, as long as portions of the bottom surface  28  are formed by the ribs  23 . 
     As evidenced by the foregoing description, the golf cup accessory  1  according to the first embodiment increases the effective approach area from the approach area of the standard golf cup (i.e., approximately 14.2 in 2 ) to the much larger approach area  26  of the golf cup accessory  1 . The much larger approach area  26  of the golf cup accessory  1  makes putting easier and thereby prevents some of the frustration that new golfers may face as they learn to putt. 
     According to the first embodiment, the adapter  10  is configured to easily fit within a standard golf cup. Thus, installation of the golf cup accessory  1  requires no specialized tools, requires no specialized training and thus may be carried out quickly, even by the most inexperienced golfer. Further, when necessary, removal of the golf cup accessory  1  is just as easy as installation. 
     According to the first embodiment, the trapping portion  20  not only effectively increases the approach area of a standard golf cup, but may also be configured to alter the trajectory of a golf ball, thus increasing the likelihood that a golf ball will become trapped by the trapping portion  20  and thereby avoiding the potential disappointment of the ball escaping the trapping portion  20 . 
     Also, according to the first embodiment, the rise  30  may be configured to blend in with the natural surroundings. Thus, the golf cup accessory  1  can increase the likelihood of a successful putt without calling attention to its user. Additionally, in some embodiments, additional mechanical attachment members are incorporated in the structure of the accessory  1  for removably attaching the accessory to a portion of a conventional golf bag or a portion of a golf cart. For example, a magnetic element may be associated with the accessory such that the accessory may be removably securable to metallic portions of a golf cart. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , according to a second embodiment, a detachable coupling between the trapping portion  20  and the adapter  10  may, for example, allow the adapter  10  to remain within the standard golf cup upon removal of the trapping portion  20 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the detachable trapping portion  20  may have different size configurations  20 ′ and  20 ″. 
     Thus, the golf cup accessory  1  according to the second embodiment reduces the cargo space required for its storage in, for example, a golf bag. Moreover, the golf cup accessory  1  according to the second embodiment may be easily customized to meet the individual needs of any given golfer. For instance, the golf cup accessory  1  according to the second embodiment may allow a group of golfers with varying degrees of skill to golf together, as the trapping portion  20  may be easily detached from the adapter  10 , so that the more skilled players in a group may putt into a standard golf cup approach area, while the trapping portion  20  may be attached to the adapter  10 , so that the younger or less skilled golfers in the group may putt into the much larger approach area of the golf cup accessory  1  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the recess  27  may include an insert  51 , which reconfigures the golf cup accessory  1  to have a planar approach area  26 ′, which is different in size from planar approach area  26 . Thus, the golf cup accessory  1  may be customized to meet the individual requirements and skill level of any given golfer. The insert  51  is usable with any of the embodiments described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a third exemplary embodiment of a golf cup accessory  201  for association with a standard golf cup is depicted. Like the previous embodiments, the golf cup accessory  201  includes a rise  30  and a trapping portion  20  that is coupled to the rise  30 . Further, the trapping portion  20  includes a recess  27  and delimits a generally planar approach area that is greater in size than an approach area of the standard golf cup. Further, one or more of the above-described golf ball trajectory modifiers of the previous embodiments can be applied to this embodiment. However, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the golf cup accessory  201  according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a much shorter throughbore  231  that is aligned with an opening formed by the standard golf cup  232 . Alternatively, no throughbore can be used. 
     As evidenced by the foregoing description, the golf cup accessory  201  according to the third embodiment increases the effective approach area from the approach area of the standard golf cup to the much larger approach area of the golf cup accessory  201 . Therefore, the golf cup accessory  201  according to the third embodiment makes putting easier and thereby prevents some of the frustration that new golfers may face as they learn to putt. However, in addition to the benefits of the previous embodiments, because of the shorter length of the throughbore  231 , the accessory  201  is more easily transportable in, for example, a golf bag. 
     A practice golf cup according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The practice golf cup  301  includes a rise portion  330  and a trapping portion  320  coupled to the rise portion  330 . The rise portion  330  differs from the previously disclosed embodiments in that the rise portion  330  according to the fourth embodiment is defined by a portable structure that allows the practice golf cup  301  to be carried to, and disposed on, any surface. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the rise portion  330  may be a portable ramp that defines a path along which a golf ball travels. 
     The rise portion  330  may have multiple configurations. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the rise portion  330  may have a substantially elongated portion, substantially corresponding to the shape of a rectangle, when the practice golf cup  301  is viewed from above, while the practice golf cup  301  is in an operating orientation/position. However, the rise portion  330  need not be limited to such configuration and may in fact have any desired shape, including a substantially circular shape, substantially oval shape, or any other desired polygonal shape as may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The plane defined by the rise portion  330  may have any desired angle of inclination θ 3  with respect to a planar surface  360  upon which the practice golf cup  301  rests when the practice golf cup  301  is in an operating orientation/position. Thus, the angle of inclination θ 3  may vary according to the skill level of a given golfer, and may be selected based on similar considerations as those relating to the inclination angle θ in the previously disclosed embodiments, as long as the angle of inclination θ 3  defines a height H 3  (a highest region) of the practice golf cup  301  that is equal to or greater than a height H 3′  of the trapping portion  320 , when the practice golf cup  301  is in the operating orientation/position. 
     The upper surface  331  of the rise portion  330 , when the practice golf cup  301  is in an operating orientation/position, may have multiple configurations. For instance, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the upper surface  331  may be substantially linear. Alternatively, as with the other disclosed embodiments, the upper surface  331  may include one or more non-linear regions, as may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, depending on the skill level of a golfer. Further, as with the other disclosed embodiments the upper surface  331  may include a turf-like material. 
     The location of the trapping portion  320  of the practice golf cup  301  may vary. For instance, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the trapping portion  320  may be positioned proximate the highest region H 3  of the practice golf cup  301 . Alternatively, the trapping portion  320  may be positioned closer to a lowermost end of the rise portion  330 . Further, the trapping portion  320  may be positioned substantially along an imaginary centerline L 3  running along a longitudinal axis of the rise portion  330 . Alternatively, the trapping portion  320  may be positioned off-center, and thus virtually anywhere along the rise portion  330  as may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, depending on the level of skill of a given golfer. 
     The trapping portion  320  includes a recess  327 , a rim  329 , and a surface portion  328  that includes a golf ball trajectory modifier. As in the previously disclosed embodiments, the golf ball trajectory modifier may include an ultra-smooth surface, a material of high rolling resistance, or at least one baffle. The material of high rolling resistance may include a foam, a gel-like material, a sand-like material, a visco-elastic material, a polymeric material, a rubber, a fabric, or a felt. 
     The baffle may comprise one or more ribs  323 . Further, like in the previously disclosed embodiments, the configuration of the ribs  323  may vary. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E , when the practice golf cup  301  is in an operating orientation/position, the ribs  323  may be substantially concentrically aligned, substantially radially aligned, or substantially spiral-like. Moreover, the ribs  323  may have a generally arcuate shape and optionally follow a helical path. Additionally, the ribs  323  may be arranged to define portions of the surface  328  that are enclosed within boundaries formed by the ribs  323 . 
     The approach area  326  of the trapping portion  320  may vary. For instance, in one embodiment the approach area  326  of the trapping portion  320  may be two times greater than the approach area of a standard golf cup. In other embodiments, the approach area  326  may be even greater. In fact, the approach area  326  may be any size, as long as the approach area  326  of the trapping portion  320  is greater than the approach area of a standard golf cup. 
     As evidenced by the foregoing description, the practice golf cup  301  according to the fourth embodiment increases the effective approach area from the approach area of the standard golf cup to the much larger approach area  326  of the practice golf cup  301 , thereby making putting easier and thus preventing some of the frustration that new golfers may face as they learn to putt. 
     Further, the practice golf cup  301  of the fourth embodiment is portable, and thus requires no installation, other than simply disposing the practice golf cup  301  on a given surface. This portability allows the practice golf cup  301  to be used in virtually any setting. Thus, a user may be able to, for example, bring the practice golf cup  301  to work and use it as time permits, thereby maximizing practice time. Further, due to its portability, the practice golf cup  301  of the fourth embodiment may be easily stowed away when not in use. Further, the trapping portion  320  not only effectively increases the approach area of a standard golf cup, but may also be configured to alter the trajectory of a golf ball. Thus, the practice golf cup  301  not only reduces the potential disappointment of a missed shot, but also reduces likelihood of damage caused by a stray golf ball when the practice golf cup  301  is used in a confined and crowded space. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the present invention has been described in association with presently preferred aspects thereof, numerous changes, modifications, and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is not intended to be limited by the foregoing description, except as may appear in the following appended claims.