Abstract: A putting stroke teaching aid apparatus includes a pair of standards that are separated from one another along a target line, a reel supported on one of the standards and a cord supported on the reel and movable between a retracted position wound on the reel and an extended position unwound from the reel. The reel is spring loaded to exert a retracting force on the cord such that slack in the cord is taken up by the reel when the cord is extended and secured in place in a pair of slots formed in the standards so that the cord can be aligned directly over the target line by adjusting the positions of the standards on the putting surface. At least one of the standards can be formed with a central cutout aligned vertically with the cord when the cord is supported on the standards, and a plurality of slots can be provided on each standard so that the cord can be supported parallel to the putting surface at different heights.

Abstract: A training device for golf putting, said device being removably securable to a golf putter having a putter face and vertically disposed shaft, said device comprising:clamping means for removably securing said teaching device in a generally horizontally plane,said alignment member including an elongate portion for longitudinally axial alignment with a longitudinal axis of the putter face;elongated flexible guide means secured to said elongate portion of said alignment member for guiding a golf ball to a target; andmeans for tensioning said guide means and maintaining tension on said guide means from said alignment member to the target during a stroke of the putter.

Abstract: The golf swing training device includes a position sensing unit, a tee mounted on a tee platform and a visual and audio response unit. A taut, movable cord is attached to the hip of the golfer and to the position sensing unit. The position sensing unit generates forward, rearward and fore-strike position signals based upon a forward optimal position, a rearward optimal position and an excessive forward position of the hip of the golfer. This excessive forward hip position is preferable immediately prior to striking the ball and corresponds to the fore-strike position signal. The visual and audio response unit, located adjacent the tee platform, visually indicates to the golfer when his or her hips exceed the forward optimal position, and the rearward optimal position. These are negative feedback signals.

Abstract: A lawn game is provided in which plastic golf balls are struck with plastic golf clubs at a target. Surrounding the target is a plurality of rings of varying size. Each ring is made up of a flexible length of tubing having opposite ends. The opposite ends can be connected together to transpose the length of tubing into a ring. The lengths of tubing can also be connected together with the other lengths of tubing to form a long length of tubing. This long length of tubing is conveniently rolled up and stored on a take-up reel.

Abstract: A simulator enabling a golfer to practice his putting skills and at the same time become more aware of the optimum motion of his shoulders and arms during a putting effort. This simulator comprises an elongate guide plane of flexible material having a mid portion as well as end portions, and also having an active edge, along which a lower portion of the shaft of a putter may pass during efforts by the golfer to putt a golf ball into a nearby cup. Components are used for supporting the guide plane in a desired relationship to a playing surface, such components being heightwise adjustable, so as to enable the individual heights of the mid and end portions of the guide plane above the playing surface to be independently adjusted, which at the same time determines the positioning of the active edge with respect to the playing surface.

Abstract: A golf stance device for locating the feet of a golfer properly with respect to a golf ball. The device is formed of an elongated flat strip of material such as plastic or metal adapted to rest upon the ground and a housed roll-up tape slidably engaged therewith by sliding the flat strip through slots in a flexible disk attached to the tape housing. The roll-up tape may be extended in a direction normal to the elongated strip toward a golf ball providing a device having a member parallel with the golfer's line of sight and properly displaced from the ball. Both the elongated strip of material and the tape have indicia assisting a golfer in positioning the device upon the ground and in obtaining a proper stance. The device is portable and easily mounted upon a golf bag.

Abstract: A golf training device is disclosed to provide real-time visual feedback regarding the user's golf swing. The golf training device comprises a mirror which is pivotally mounted on a base. The mirror is adjusted by the user so that the user can observe his body during the course of his or her golf swing. The mirror includes a fixed, visual reference to assist the user in recognizing flaws in his or her body movement so that the user can immediately correct his or her golf swing. The fixed reference may, for example, take the form of a centering spot on the mirror which the user may use as a visual reference in centering and aligning his or her body during the course of a golf swing. The centering spot may include an opening through the mirror, which opening helps a golfer square the base by sighting on a reference line on the base and visible through the opening.

Abstract: A grid-like reference system for obtaining a properly aligned golf stance includes a plurality of lines and a plurality of frames for holding opposite ends of each line on the ground in a predetermined relationship. A stance position line is established which extends from in front of the golfer and under the golf ball to behind the golfer to reference placement of the golfer's heels. A toe alignment line is established substantially perpendicular to the stance position line as a reference for placement of the golfer's toes and, a pair of substantially parallel swing plane lines are established to straddle the golf ball to direct the swing of the golf club.

Abstract: A golf accessory includes a golf tee-like element attached to a tethering unit which includes a bungee cord and a monofilament line. The tethering unit is attached to a solid center golf ball by a swivel connecting assembly which permits the gold ball to rotate without twisting the tethering unit.

Abstract: A pocket-sized divot repair tool which has two strong, thin metal prongs rigidly attached to a disc-shaped handle which contains a spool of very fine, high-strength, man-made line of substantial length fastened to a hookclamp which may be unsnapped from the handle, hooked around a golf flagstick and played out in order to measure relative distance to competing golf balls. The line is retrieved by opening a crank hinged to the spool, after which the crank is closed and the hook/clamp snapped back onto the handle locking itself and the spool firmly into place.

Abstract: A device for the practice of golf strokes by an individual alone or with a partner comprises a golf ball attached by a non-elastic tether cord to a cord reel, and an elastic segment attaching the tether cord to a device anchor post for facilitating ball return. The tether cord may be set to a preselected length as desired by the golfer and wound within the reel for storage after use.

Abstract: A flag pin golf ball distance measuring device for measuring the distance of a golf ball from a hole on a putting green includes an elongated cylindrical pin having a lower end provided with a radially extending flange and dimensioned for registry with a standard golf hole cup. A hollow cylindrical sleeve is received for longitudinal sliding and rotational movement around said pin. A right angle bracket has a first leg extending parallel with a longitudinal axis of the sleeve and secured thereto. A second leg of the bracket extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and a pair of spaced parallel side walls extend perpendicularly upwardly from opposed side edges of the second leg. A spring roller type tape measure is removably received on the second leg, between the parallel side walls. A free end of a measuring tape of the tape measure is secured to the sleeve. A transversely extending cylindrical handle is attached to an upper handle of the pin.

Abstract: A proximity comparing device for golfers for determining relative distances of golf balls from a flagstick which includes a clamping ring to releasably engage the flagstick while permitting sliding movement of the clamping ring about the periphery of the flagstick in combination with a string which has one end anchored to the clamping ring and another end received in a reel. The reel is preferably formed with an inner opening which is just slightly larger than the diameter of a ball so that adjustable amounts of string are played out or received in the reel making it a relatively simple matter to determine promptly which of two golf balls is farthest from the flagstick.

Abstract: A putting device for facilitating retrieval of a golf ball during putting practice wherein a filament line is secured at one end to a golf ball and at the other end to a reel means attached to a putter. When the golf ball has been struck, the player is then free to rewind the filament line into the reel means, pulling the golf ball to its original location adjacent to the putter. The retrieval system includes a reel housed within the handle end of the club shaft. The filament line extends from the reel, downward through the club shaft, through an aperture in the striking face of the putter, and then to the golf ball.

Abstract: A target game wherein a ball or similar missile is tossed and rolled, in a bowling manner, over a horizontal surface toward a target element. The target element comprises side frames, a rear gate assembly, a top webbing and a scoring grid to provide a plurality of scoring sectors and may further include a ramp adjacent the target element in combination with wind up ribbons and cranks extending between at least two target elements. Each scoring sector may be identified by a number or a color. The target element is collapsible or foldable for storage and transport. Provisions for keeping score and for bonus scoring may be included. The game, in its mode of play, may be related to space travel, baseball, jackpot, bowling, lunar ball, or black jack by the designation of apparatus with appropriate names for targets and scoring sectors. Scoring may be measured in terms of various space-related or conventional point units, depending upon the type of game chosen for playing.

Abstract: A pair of goal posts spaced apart up to two hundred feet, each post including a hollow construction containing a reel of cord dispensed from an upward hose on top and the outer end of the cord being tied to a soccer ball, the upper end of the post being swivelled on a thrust bearing, and ropes around the side of the post being tied to stakes driven into the ground.

Abstract: A housing containing a spring loaded retractable spool of line with a hooking member for attaching either the end of the line or the housing to a golf hole flag pole in order to play out the string from the spool to measure the distance between the flag stick and a golf ball on a putting green. In the embodiment where the housing is attached to the flag stick, the hooking member is formed from two pivotally connected clip members having arcuate first ends and pointed second ends. The arcuate first ends cooperate with each other to encircle the flag stick, for attaching the housing thereto, and the pointed second ends function as a tool for repairing ball marks in the turf. The line may have a marker slidably attached to the line for use when measuring the distance of a plurality of different golf balls from the flag stick.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing the movement of a device to be manipulated by a user thereof. In an embodiment, a unit that monitors movements in a device to be manipulated includes a flexible member which is attached to the device at a device associated position and which is extended and retracted with changes in distance, as measured along the member, between the associated position and another position through which the member passes; a motor-driven reel which provides additional lengths and takes up excess lengths of the member corresponding to the changes in distance; and a synchro which provides an electrical signal in response to the rotation of the shaft of the motor and of the reel. The output of the synchro is fed to an electronic data processor programmed for calculations dependent on the input from this unit and another such unit, and a recorder is provided to print a graphical display of the results of these calculations.

Abstract: A practice device for hitting a ball is provided which includes a housing and a device for attaching the housing in a relatively fixed position, and a line connector and a suitable device for attaching the connector in a relatively fixed position spaced from the housing. A line guide is also provided which extends between the housing and the connector for guiding the movement of a tethered ball when it is struck. A suitable line or cord connects the tethered ball to a movable indicator arm mounted on the housing for indicating the equivalent distance that the tethered ball is hit. In addition, the practice device is also provided with a device for indicating the height that the tethered ball is hit, as well as a left-right indicator for indicating the left-right angle at which the tethered ball is hit. In a preferred embodiment, a cord storage device, which includes a reel, is provided for winding up and storing cord.