Golf guide

Abstract

A golf guide is provided which has a plurality of guide cards having a hole therethrough where the front and back of the cards contain written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios. A connector is threaded through the holes of the cards and clip is adapted for attaching the golf guide to a golf bag. A deluxe golf guide provides a ringed binder which holds the cards and optionally has holders for a score card, pencils, a yardage chart, golf tees, and markers. This golf guide is used for teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfing scenarios.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf guide for use by golfer in teaching or reminding a golfer about preferred means of play. The golf guide has particular utility in connection with teaching golfers how to play difficult shots while on the golf course or driving range.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Golf guides are desirable to aid a golfer in performing better on the golf course, particularly when having to execute difficult shots. Using a golf guide can lower the golfers score and increase his confidence. There are many books, videos and other media that a golfer can use to learn to play better golf. However, better ways are needed for the golfer to quickly access information when he needs it on the golf course or on the driving range.

The use of booklets guides or kits for access while on the golf course are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,786 to Candor discloses a booklet that lays out one or more holes on a golf course. The booklet is found in a notebook or binder that can be taken onto the course. However, Candor's patent does not disclose a method for helping with particular golfing scenarios but instead is used to familiarize the golfer with yardages and greens on the particular golf course, and has further drawbacks of not providing a means to protect the booklet from inclement weather often encountered while golfing and not providing a means of attaching the booklet to the golfer's bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,340 to Laakso discloses a golf scorecard and yardage guide playing booklet that is used to familiarize the golfer with yardages and a particular green and additionally has a scorecard. However, Laakso's patent does not disclose a method for helping with particular golfing scenarios, and has further drawbacks of not providing a means to protect the booklet from inclement weather and does not provide a means of attaching the booklet to the golfer's bag.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,045 to Schweim discloses a golf scorecard holder that can be clamped to a golf bag via a clamping ring. This device is made from rectangular rigid transparent plastic and allows the golfer access to his scorecard. However, it does not provide for any text, diagram, or other means of helping a golfer with particular golfing scenarios.

The use of descriptive media for instruction or review of golf swings, lies etc. is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 357,280 to Bechler discloses instructional golfing cards that can be used to teach or review different golf rules. However, Bechler's patent must be opened by fanning the booklet out which can make it more difficult to find particular cards and can become misfolded. The golfer would have to fold and unfold the entire set of cards every time he wanted to look at a single card unless the card known to be found near the beginning or end of the booklet. This booklet also does not provide for a means of attaching the cards to a golf bag. This invention has the additional deficiency of not providing particular aid for different golfing scenarios but instead gives basic golfing instructions and means of improving golf control. In addition, there is no protection from the rain and other inclement weather conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,255 to Rodel discloses a cardholder for a plurality of cards that can be attached to a key ring. The holder is formed out of plastic and therefore has some resistance to rain. However, Rodel's patent does not disclose an application of using the cards to teach, does not mention golf or golf guides, and additionally does not contemplate a set of cards connected together for easy access to the different cards.

While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a golf guide that allows for an easily access to cards that remind or teach golfers how to play a particular lie or correct for a difficult shot. The patents mentioned hereinabove make no provision for instructional media that can be attached to the golf bag and easily accessed on the golf course. The art disclosed herein does nothing to reinforce a golfer's teachings while they need the assistance when playing golf on the golf course or practicing at the driving range and do not provide for instructions on how to play through particular difficult shots and do not provide for attachment to the golf bag for easy access.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved golf guide that can be used for teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfing scenarios. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the golf guide according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfing scenarios.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of golfing booklets now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved golf guide, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved golf guide which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a golf guide which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a plurality of guide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surface and a hole therethrough, the front surface and the back surface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios. A connector such as a chain is threaded through the holes of the cards and clip, such as a key ring clip, is adapted for attaching the golf guide to a golf bag.

In another aspect of the current invention, a deluxe golf guide is provided. The deluxe golf guide has a ringed binder and a plurality of guide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surface and one or more holes therethrough for insertion into the ringed binder, the front surface and the back surface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios. Also provided in the deluxe golf guide are a score card holder and a pencil holder. The binder optionally has holders for a yardage chart, golf tees, markers, and other golfing tools.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

The invention may also be described by cards having dimensions of about 10 cm long by 7 cm wide. Preferably, the front surface of each card comprises a diagram of a golfing scenario and bulleted points and the back surface comprising a brief description of the golfing scenario.

There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved golf guide that has all of the advantages of the prior art booklets and guides and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved golf guide that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved golf guide that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such golf guide economically available to the buying public. Two non-limiting versions of the parsaver golf guide are described. It is contemplated that the one version is an economical teaching aid and the deluxe version is appropriate for gifts and more all-inclusive option for purchase.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new golf guide that provides in the apparatuses of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. The golf guide is provided for easy access to relevant information on the golf course.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the golf guide as it is clipped to a golf bag and is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a descriptive view of one card of the golf guide of the present invention, showing both the front and back view of the card.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative of one embodiment of the golf guide of the present invention, where the cards are held in a ringed binder.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of the golf guide of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

In FIG. 1, a new and improved golf guide 10 of the present invention for teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfing scenarios is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the golf guide 10 has a number of cards 12, each of which has at least one hole 14 extending through the card. A connector 16, such as a metal chain, metal loop, or plastic loop extends through the hole in each of the cards connecting them together but allowing for facile access to the front and rear surface of each of the cards. A clip 18 is attached to the connector 16. This clip is adapted for attaching the cards to a golf bag 20. The clip 18 may also attach the cards to a golf cart or the golfer's clothing (such as through a belt loop etc.) or to the cart. The clip is preferably one similar to clips found on key ring attachments. In one embodiment, the clip is normally in a closed position and is opened by moving a lever, which opens the clip for as long as pressure is applied to the lever; the lever can be opened using a single hand.

Attachment of the golf guide to a golf cart by means of a clip and connector allows the golfer to refer to the cards quickly and easily while on the golf course or driving range. The golfer can fan through the set of cards to find the appropriate card with ease.

In one embodiment, these cards 12 are approximately 10 cm by 7 cm and approximately 0.5 mm thick. This size is selected because it is large enough for an image and text to be displayed and yet small enough not to add much additional bulk or weight to the golf bag. Other sizes of cards are also contemplated; for example, the cards may be 9×6 cm or 12×8 cm. The thickness of the cards depends on the materials used. Thicker cards may be produced with thicker stock of paper, plastic or plastic lamination. The cards will be less than 2.0 mm thick. The cards are waterproof, meaning that in the presence of drizzle or rainy conditions, the cards will not be destroyed. Any water found on the cards can be wiped off or allowed to evaporate and will not harm the cards.

In FIG. 2, the front and back surfaces of a single card 12 are shown simultaneously. A hole 14 traversing through the thickness of the card can be seen in the upper left corner of the card. On the front surface of the card 22, a diagram of a golfer is shown. A simple golfing diagram 24 depicting the set up or lie with easy-to-follow arrows demonstrating items such as the appropriate stance, club angle and position, and an appropriate swing is shown. Bulleted points 26 or “swing thoughts” help the golfer play the shot/set up correctly by describing the diagram and points to remember in the particular golfing scenario. On the back surface of the card 28, a brief description 30 of the golfing scenario diagramed on the front of the card is shown. This brief description 30 concisely describes what will happen if the shot is played normally and how the golfer can adapt stance, swing, clubface, or other aspect of the game to compensate for the particular condition and get the desired results.

This figure depicts a single card in the golfing guide of the current invention. A plurality of cards will be included in each golfing guide, with each card connected to one another through a connector attached through the hole 14 in each card. Preferably, there will be 10-40 cards, or more particularly 15-25 cards, or about 20 cards in a golfing guide. Each card in the set will depict a different golfing scenario, rule, or general game tip. It is contemplated that one card will index the golfing scenarios found on the other cards and that one card will be a title card for the set. It is also contemplated that several golfing guides as described in this invention will be available, each with a different set of golfing scenarios on the cards therein.

The distinction between the front and back surfaces of the cards is arbitrary, and may be altered by moving the hole to the opposite upper corner of the card. However, when connected together, all golfing diagram 24 and bulleted points 26 should face in one direction and all brief descriptions 30 the other.

The cards will address issues for golfing scenarios such as: how to prevent hooking, how to prevent slicing, how to stop topping the ball, how to get out of the bunker, how to hit the ball on a downhill lie, determining tee height and placement for different woods, reading how far away the flag is and playing a ball in a water hazard. Many other golfing scenarios will also be provided in one card set.

The cards will give appropriate information for each scenario and provide suggestions on, for example, club selection, stance, weight distribution, club head angle, lie, loft, etc.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the current invention. This embodiment is a “deluxe” golf guide 32, and contains additional features. In this embodiment, multiple holes 14 are provided to attach the cards 12 to a ringed binder 34. The binder 34 contains closable rings 36, which can be snapped, closed to secure the cards 12 into the binder 24. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more rings in the binder. Each card 12 will have the same number of holes 14 as the binder 34 has closable rings 36 and the holes 14 are spaced so that the cards 12 fit into the binder 34. The binder also contains a holder or pocket for a scorecard 38 and one or more pencil holders 40 for one or more pencils 42.

Optionally, the deluxe golf guide 32 may contain a holder for a yardage guide showing the yardage and layout of the particular golf course, a handicap converting table, a description of the basic rules, a tablet of paper or a plastic sheet and marker for taking notes, and other various information. The deluxe golf guide 32 may contain a clip 18 for attachment of the golf guide binder 34 to a golf bag, golfer, cart, or other object easily accessible while on the golf course.

The cards 12 will be made out of laminated paper or paperboard. Alternatively, the cards will be made out of a thin rigid sheet of plastic. The cards may be white paper printed with black ink and laminated with a clear plastic. Alternatively, the cards may comprise colored paper, colored ink, or colored plastic. The different colors may correspond with different aspects being taught (e.g. one color of text for a description of what happens when the golf ball is hit normally and a different color suggesting adjustments that can be made) or with different types of cards (e.g. one color of card for shots from the fairway and a different color of card for shots from the rough or hazards).

In use, it can now be understood that the parsaver golf guide described herein may be used by novice or intermediate level golfers who want to better their game. It may be used by a golfer who is also engaged in lessons or by a golfer who wants to better his game alone. The different golfing scenarios will provide the golfer with ways of reminding him golfers how to play difficult shots or lies.

While a preferred embodiment of the golf guide has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable material such as plastic laminated paper or paperboard, or plastic may be used. And although a parsaver golf guide depicting various golfing scenarios has been described, it should be appreciated that the golf guide herein described is also suitable for guiding a golfer through various golfing situations, and may include a set containing golfing rules, club selection and projected ball distances, golfing etiquette, etc.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf guide comprising:

a plurality of guide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surface and a hole therethrough, said front surface and said back surface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios;

a connector threaded through the holes of said cards; and

a clip attached to said connector adapted for attachment to a golf bag.

2. The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said cards are 10 cm long by 7 cm wide.

3. The golf guide of claim 2, wherein said clip is key ring clip.

4. The golf guide of claim 3, wherein said cards are laminated paperboard.

5. The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said cards are plastic.

6. The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said connector is a chain.

7. The golf guide of claim 1, further comprising at least two holes and two connectors.

8. The golf guide of claim 1, comprising at least 15 cards, wherein each card describes a different golfing scenario.

9. The golf guide of claim 8, comprising at least 20 cards, wherein each card describes a different golfing scenario.

10. The golf guide of claim 9, wherein said front surface of each card comprises a diagram of a golfing scenario and said back surface comprising a brief description of said golfing scenario.

11. The golf guide of claim 10, wherein said written and graphical descriptions provide information on club selection, stance, weight distribution, ball loft, or club head angle.

12. A golf guide comprising:

a plurality of guide cards, wherein each card is waterproof and comprises a substantially flat front surface comprises a diagram of a golfing scenario, a substantially flat back surface comprising a brief description of said golfing scenario, and a hole therethrough, said front surface and said back surface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios;

a connector threaded through the holes of said cards; and

a clip attached to said connector adapted for attachment to a golf bag.

13. A golf guide comprising:

a ringed binder;

a plurality of guide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flat back surface and one or more holes therethrough for insertion into said ringed binder, said front surface and said back surface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios;

a score card holder; and

a pencil holder.

14. The golf guide of claim 13, further comprising a clip attached to said ringed binder wherein said clip is adapted for attachment to a golf bag.

15. The golf guide of claim 14, wherein said clip is key ring clip.

16. The golf guide of claim 13, wherein said cards are 10 cm long by 7 cm wide.

17. The golf guide of claim 13, further comprising a holder for one or more golf tees.

18. The golf guide of claim 13, further comprising a yardage guide.

19. The golf guide of claim 13, wherein said cards are waterproof.

20. The golf guide of claim 19, comprising at least 20 cards, wherein each card describes a different golfing scenario.