Golf Ball Marker Clip Apparatus

Abstract

A golf ball marker clip apparatus includes a golf ball marker, a base, and a clip formed to the base and configured to snappedly receive the golf ball marker. The clip bounds and defines a hold corresponding to the golf ball marker.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf, and more particularly to golf ball markers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers use golf ball markers when they remove their ball from the ground and wish to mark the spot from which they removed the ball. Golf ball markers come in a variety of designs, but are frequently small discs, roughly the size of a quarter, that can be carried fairly easily with the golfer.

Because of their small size, golf ball markers can easily be lost. They may get lost in pockets, in a golf bag, in or from the golf cart, and in other places. As a result, a variety of solutions have been developed to help the golfer from being separated from the golf ball marker. For instance, some golf ball markers are clips: they have a circular or disc-like face with a clip on the back. This allows the marker to be clipped onto the brim of a hat, onto a glove, onto a golfer's pants pocket, and in other locations. Other markers are magnetic: they have a magnet on the back which allows them to be magnetically engaged to a complemental base. The base is mounted to something larger or fixed, such as a hat, a glove, a divot repair tool, or some other similar apparatus.

Despite these developments, ball markers are still susceptible to being lost. An improved golf ball marker retention solution is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf ball marker clip apparatus includes a golf ball marker, a base, and a clip formed to the base and configured to snappedly receive the golf ball marker. The clip bounds and defines a hold corresponding to the golf ball marker. The clip is a quasi-annular upstanding lip that snappedly receives and holds the golf ball marker so that the golfer can easily hold and carry the marker without fear of loss. The clip can be sewn in between two layers of a glove, mounted to a club, or fixed to another mounting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied to a golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the golf ball marker of FIG. 1A applied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are section views taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1B showing the golf ball marker of FIG. 1A being applied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective illustrating the golf ball marker clip apparatus carried in a glove, applied with a golf ball marker;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied to a golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the golf ball marker of FIG. 4A applied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are section views taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4B showing the golf ball marker of FIG. 4A being applied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied to a golf ball marker clip apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used throughout the different figures to designate the same elements. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a golf ball marker 10 (hereinafter, the “marker 10”) being applied to a golf ball marker clip apparatus 11 (hereinafter, the “apparatus 11”). The apparatus 11 is useful for securely and snappedly retaining the marker 10 in a variety of locations, such as on a glove, a golf club, a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, a divot repair tool, and elsewhere.

The apparatus 11 includes a base 12, a flange 13 extending outward from the base 12, and a clip 15 formed by an upstanding lip 14 extending upward from the base 12. These structural features and elements provide the apparatus 11 with the unique ability to mechanically receive and hold the marker 10 and to be sewn into, glued onto, or otherwise attached to a mounting. In some embodiments, such as when the apparatus 11 is used with a golf club, the divot repair tool, and other rigid items, the flange 13 may be excluded from use and the base 12 is adhered or otherwise fixed directly to the rigid object.

The base 12 has a thin, flat profile, and is circular in shape. The base 12 includes an upper face 20 and a lower face 21, each shown clearly in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The upper and lower faces 20 and 21 are flat and parallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 20 and 21 are spaced apart by a thickness A of the base 12, as indicated in FIG. 2A. The base 12 is rigid and constructed of a material or combination of materials having characteristics of rigidity, flexibility, and light weight.

The flange 13 extends radially outward from the base 12. The flange 13 is very thin and rigid. The flange 13 has an upper face 30 and a lower face 31 which are flat and parallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 30 and 31 are also parallel with respect to each of the upper and lower faces 20 and 21 of the base 12. The flange 13 is formed integrally and monolithically as a unitary extension of the base 12, and it extends from the base 12 proximate to the upper face 20 of the base 12. Indeed, the upper face 20 of the base 12 is contiguous with the upper face 30 of the flange 13, such that there is a smooth and imperceptible transition between the upper faces 20 and 30. As such, the upper face 30 of the flange 13 defines a planar extension of the upper face 20 of the base 12. The base 12 and the flange 13 cooperate to define an annular shoulder 32 formed therebetween and defining a perimeter edge of the base 12 below the lower face 31 of the flange 13.

The lip 14 of the apparatus 11 is an annular, upstanding structure extending up from the upper face 20 of the base 12. The lip 14 is formed integrally to the base 12 at its outer edge, where the flange 13 extends outwardly from the base 12. The lip 14 is quasi-annular, which in this context means the lip 14 has an arc that is less than a complete circle but more than a semi-circle. The lip 14 has this quasi-annular shape between two opposed ends 40 and 41. The ends 40 and 41 are terminal ends of the lip 14, and bound an opening 42 therebetween. The opening 42 is a lateral opening leading to a hold 43 bound by the lip 14. The quasi-annular lip 14 is disposed coaxially on the base 12, such that the lip 14 and the base 12 have aligned geometric centers.

The lip 14 has a bottom 44, which is formed directly, integrally, and resiliently to the base 12. The lip 14 has a top 45 opposed to the bottom 44. The lip 14 stands normal to the base 12. The lip 14 has a radially-inwardly extending edge 50 that overhangs the lip 14. The clip 15 includes both the lip 14 and the enlarged, overhanging edge 50. An inner surface 51 extends entirely from the bottom 44 to the edge 50. The inner surface 51 terminates at the edge 50, and the edge 50 protrudes inwardly beyond the inner surface 51. Both the edge 50 and the inner surface 51 are quasi-annular and bound the hold 43.

The hold 43 itself is disc-shaped. It is bound by the inner surface 51 of the lip 14, extends between the edge 50 and the upper surface 20 of the base 12, and extends in an arc outside the opening 42, as identified by an arcuate line identified with the reference character 52 in FIG. LA. The hold 43 corresponds to the marker 10: it is identical in shape, and very close in size. The hold 43 is just smaller than the marker 10. The marker 10 has a major dimension B, or a diameter B, and the hold 43 has a diameter C which is just less than the diameter B. While the hold 43 is open on top, the marker 10 is generally not meant to be applied through the top because the edge 50 defines an opening too narrow for the marker 10. However, the flexible characteristics of the lip 14 will accommodate the marker 10 being forced downward into the hold 43, which causes the lip 14 to flare outward and then return resiliently to its original position once the marker 10 is captured in the hold 43. In this manner, the lip 14 acts as a pawl for the marker 10 in the vertical direction: it allows downward movement of the marker 10 into the hold 43 but prevents upward movement of the mark 10 out of the hold 43. Nevertheless, the marker 10 is preferably applied through the lateral opening 42.

The lateral opening 42 is bound between the ends 40 and 41 of the lip 14 and between the edge 50 and the upper face 20 of the base 12. The lateral opening 42 has a width D between the ends 40 and 41 which is just less than diameter B of the marker 10. Because the lip 14 is resiliently formed to the base 12, however, it resiliently deforms outwardly but also maintains inward pressure to hold the marker 10 in place.

The marker 10 can thus be applied through the lateral opening 42 to be mechanically, snappedly, and preferably non-magnetically received in the hold 43 by the clip 15. To apply the marker 10 to the hold 43, the marker 10 is picked up, such as between the thumb and forefinger, and registered with the opening 42, as shown in FIG. 1A. It is initially held in a free position, free of the apparatus 11. The marker 10 has an upper face 60 and a lower face 61 which are structurally identical, though not necessarily aesthetically identical: the upper and lower faces 60 and 61 may carry ornamental or decorative features which differ. The lower face 61 of the marker 10 is aligned with the upper face 20 of the base 12, and the upper face 60 of the marker 10 is aligned with the bottom of the edge 50. The golfer then moves the marker 10 through the opening 42 along the arrowed line E. When the marker 10 encounters the ends 40 and 41, the golfer exerts more force to radially deform the ends 40 and 41 outward, thereby increasing the width D of the opening 42 slightly and temporarily. By increasing the width D, the golfer is able to push the marker 10 laterally through the opening 42 and into the hold 43. Once the diameter B of the marker 10 is past the opening 42, the ends 40 and 41 resiliently return to their original position and apply an inward biasing force on the marker 10 into the hold 43, thereby assisting in forcing the marker 10 into the hold 43. In this way, the marker 10 is applied and held in a snap-fit engagement in the hold 43. The marker 10 is snugly and securely held by the lip 14, against the inner surface 51, which exerts sufficient radially inward force on the marker 10 to securely lock it in place in the hold 43. The marker 10 cannot accidentally fall or slide out.

Though the above sequence of applying the marker 10 to the hold 43 is described in a series of steps, it should be understood that application of the marker 10 is achieved smoothly, in a single, quick movement requiring less than a second.

Once disposed in the hold 43, the marker 10 is securely held. A perimeter portion of the upper surface 60 of the marker 10 is against the edge 50, and the lower surface 61 of the marker 10 is flush against and in continuous contact with the upper surface 20 of the base 12, as shown in FIG. 2B. The marker 10 is prevented from further movement along line E by the lip 14, and indeed, is prevented from most lateral movement by the lip 14. The marker 10 cannot accidentally move through the opening 42 because the ends 40 and 41 are separated by the width D which is less than the diameter B of the marker 10. Further, the marker 10 does not move vertically; it is limited in downward movement by the upper surface 20 and is limited in upward movement by the edge 50. Again, the edge 50 defines an opening too narrow for the marker 10, even when the lip 14 is resiliently deformed, so that the marker 10 cannot come loose upwardly. In some embodiments, however, the lip 14 is slightly taller than the height of the marker 10 and allows the marker 10 some vertical play in the hold 43 without sacrificing the security of the engagement.

When the golfer desires to remove the marker 10 from the hold 43, the golfer preferably uses his thumb to press out on the marker 10 through the opening 42. The golfer exerts a force on the marker 10 in opposition to the arrowed line E to move the marker 10 out of the opening 42. The marker 10, having been removed from the hold 43, is now in the free position away from the apparatus 11, held between the thumb and fingers. It can be placed on the ground to mark a position of the golf ball.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method of mounting the apparatus 11 on a glove 70. The glove 70 has a wrist strap 71 secured to a dorsal side 72 of the glove 70. The wrist strap 71 has a top layer 73, a bottom layer 74, and a hole 75 formed through the top layer 73. The apparatus 11 is carried between the top and bottom layers 73 and 74, with the lip 14 projecting up through the hole 75. The flange 13 thus secures the apparatus 11: stitching is placed through the top and bottom layers at the flange 13 to bind the apparatus securely in the wrist strap 71.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment of a golf ball marker clip apparatus 81 (hereinafter, the “apparatus 81”) for use with the marker 10. The apparatus 81 is useful for securely and snappedly retaining the marker 10 in a variety of locations, such as on a glove, a golf club, a hat, a shirt, a pair of pants, and elsewhere.

The apparatus 81 includes a base 82, a flange 83 extending outward from the base 82, and a clip 85 including an upstanding lip 84 extending upward from the base 82. These structural features and elements provide the apparatus 81 with the unique ability to mechanically receive and hold the marker 10 and to be sewn into or otherwise attached to a mounting.

The base 82 has a thin, flat profile, and is circular in shape. The base 82 includes an upper face 90 and a lower face 91, each shown clearly in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The upper and lower faces 90 and 91 are flat and parallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 90 and 91 are spaced apart by a thickness F of the base 82, as indicated in FIG. 5A. The base 82 is rigid and constructed of a material or combination of materials having characteristics of rigidity and light weight.

The flange 83 extends radially outward from the base 82. The flange 83 is very thin and rigid. The flange 83 has an upper face 92 and a lower face 93 which are flat and parallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 92 and 93 are also parallel with respect to each of the upper and lower faces 90 and 91 of the base 82. The flange 83 is formed integrally and monolithically as a unitary extension of the base 82, and it extends from the base 82 proximate to the upper face 90 of the base 82. Indeed, the upper face 90 of the base 82 is contiguous with the upper face 92 of the flange 83, such that there is a smooth and imperceptible transition between the upper faces 90 and 92. As such, the upper face 92 of the flange 83 defines a planar extension of the upper face 90 of the base 82. The base 82 and the flange 83 cooperate to define an annular shoulder 94 formed therebetween and defining a perimeter edge of the base 82 below the lower face 93 of the flange 83.

The clip 85 includes the lip 84 of the apparatus 81, which is an annular, upstanding structure extending up from the upper face 90 of the base 82. The lip 84 is formed integrally to the base 82 at its outer edge, where the flange 14 extends outwardly from the base 82. The lip 84 is quasi-annular, which in this context means the lip 84 has an arc that is less than a complete circle but more than a semi-circle. The lip 84 has this quasi-annular shape between two opposed ends 100 and 101. The ends 100 and 101 are terminal ends of the lip 84, and bound an opening 102 therebetween. The opening 102 is a lateral opening leading to a hold 103 bound by the lip 84. The quasi-annular lip 84 is disposed coaxially on the base 82, such that the lip 84 and the base 82 have aligned geometric centers.

The lip 84 has a bottom 104 formed directly, integrally, and resiliently to the base 82. The lip 84 has a top 105 opposed to the bottom 104. The lip 84 stands normal to the base 82. The lip 84 has a radially-inwardly extending edge 110 that overhangs the lip 84. An inner surface 111 extends entirely from the bottom 104 to the edge 110. The inner surface 111 terminates at the edge 110, and the edge 110 protrudes inwardly beyond the inner surface 111. Both the edge 110 and the inner surface 111 are quasi-annular and bound the hold 103.

The lip 84 is severed along its annular length in preferably three places. Proximate to the ends 100 and 101, the lip 84 is severed, thereby defining opposing fingers 112 and 113, respectively. Intermediate between the fingers 112 and 113, the lip 84 is severed again to form another finger 114. The fingers 112, 113, and 114 are formed directly to the base 82 but are separated from the lip 84 by a thin notch or cut in the lip 84 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. However, in other embodiments, there is no separation between the fingers 112, 113, and 114 and the lip 84; the fingers 112, 113, and 114 are formed integrally and continuously to the lip 84. The fingers 112, 113, and 114, together with the lip 84 and the enlarged, overhanging edge 110 define the clip 85. The fingers 112, 113, and 114 are normally aligned with the clip 85 and the lip 84. However, the fingers 112, 113, and 114 are resilient, and free of the lip 84, such that they move into and out of alignment with the lip 84; they move into alignment when the marker 80 is removed and then move out of alignment, outside the lip 84, when the marker 80 is received in the hold 103.

The fingers 112, 113, and 114 are similar in cross-sectional shape to the lip 84 but are slightly larger. Thus, the fingers 112, 113, and 114 have enlarged heads 115, seen best in FIG. 4B, which are larger than the edge 110: the heads 115 extend radially inwardly slightly further than the edge 110 does. In this embodiment of the apparatus 80, the lip 84 is more rigid than in the apparatus 10, but the fingers 112, 113, and 114 are more flexible than the lip 84 in the apparatus 10. This provides the apparatus 80 with a slightly different mechanical engagement of the marker 10: the lip 84 acts as a stop while the fingers 112, 113, and 114 create the snap fit.

The hold 103 itself is disc-shaped. It is bound by the inner surface 111 of the lip 84, extends between the edge 110 and the upper surface 90 of the base 82, and extends in an arc outside the opening 102, as delineated by an arcuate line identified with the reference character 112 in FIG. 4A. The hold 103 corresponds to the marker 10: it is identical in shape, and very close in size. The hold 103 is just smaller than the marker 10. The marker 10 has a major dimension G, or a diameter G, and the hold 103 has a diameter H which is just less than the diameter G. While the hold 103 is open on top, the marker 10 cannot be applied through the top because the edge 110 defines an opening too narrow for the marker 10. Instead, the marker 10 must be applied through the lateral opening 102.

The lateral opening 102 is bound between the ends 100 and 101 of the lip 84 and between the edge 110 and the upper face 90 of the base 82. The lateral opening 102 has a width I between the ends 100 and 101, or between the fingers 112 and 113, which is just less than diameter G of the marker 10. Because the lip 84 is resiliently formed to the base 82, however, it can resiliently deform outwardly.

The marker 10 can thus be applied through the lateral opening 102 to be snappedly received in the hold 103. To apply the marker 10 to the hold 103, the marker 10 is picked up, such as between the thumb and forefinger, and registered with the opening 102, as shown in FIG. 4A. It is initially held in a free position, free of the apparatus 81. The lower face 61 of the marker 10 is aligned with the upper face 90 of the base 82, and the upper face 60 of the marker 10 is aligned with the bottom of the edge 110. The golfer then moves the marker 10 through the opening 102 along the arrowed line J. When the marker 10 encounters the ends 100 and 101, the golfer exerts more force to radially deform the fingers 112 and 113 outward, thereby increasing the width I of the opening 102 slightly and temporarily. By increasing the width I, the golfer is able to push the marker 10 laterally through the opening 102 and into the hold 103. Once the diameter G of the marker 10 is past the opening 102, the fingers 112 and 113 resiliently return to their original position and apply an inward biasing force on the marker 10 into the hold 103, thereby assisting in forcing the marker 10 into the hold 103. The finger 113 similarly applies a bias force on the marker 10 into the hold 103 and thus in opposition to the fingers 112 and 113. In this way, the marker 10 is held in a snap-fit engagement in the hold 103 by the fingers 112, 113, and 114 and also by the deformed lip 84.

Though the above sequence of applying the marker 10 to the hold 103 is described in a series of steps, it should be understood that application of the marker 10 is achieved smoothly, in a single, quick movement requiring less than a second.

Once disposed in the hold 103, the marker 10 is securely held. A perimeter portion of the upper surface 60 of the marker 10 is against the edge 110 and the heads 115 of the fingers 112, 113, and 114, and the lower surface 61 of the marker 10 is flush against and in continuous contact with the upper surface 90 of the base 82, as shown in FIG. 5B. The marker 10 is prevented from further movement along line J by the lip 84, and indeed, is prevented from most lateral movement by the lip 84. The marker 10 cannot accidentally move through the opening 102 because the ends 100 and 101 are separated by the width I, which is less than the diameter G of the marker 10. Further, the marker 10 cannot move vertically; it is limited in downward movement by the upper surface 90 and is limited in upward movement by the edge 110 and the heads 115 of the fingers 112, 113, and 114. Again, the edge 110 defines an opening too narrow for the marker 10, even when the lip 84 is resiliently deformed, so that the marker 10 cannot come loose upwardly.

When the golfer desires to remove the marker 10 from the hold 103, the golfer preferably uses his thumb to press out on the marker 10 through the opening 102. The golfer exerts a force on the marker 10 in opposition to the arrowed line J to move the marker 10 out of the opening 102. The marker 10, having been removed from the hold 103, is now in the free position away from the apparatus 81, held between the thumb and fingers, so that it can be placed on the ground to mark a position of the golf ball.

Another embodiment of a golf ball marker clip apparatus 120 (hereinafter, the “apparatus 120”) is shown in FIG. 6. The apparatus 120 is identical to the apparatus 11 in all but a few structures. As such, the structures of the apparatus 120 which are identical to those of the apparatus 11 are identified with the same reference characters, marked with a prime (“′”) symbol to designate and differentiate them from those of the apparatus 11. For instance, the apparatus 120 has a base 12′, a flange 13′, and a clip 15′. However, instead of an opening 43 defined in the clip 15′, the apparatus 120 includes a cover 121 that extends across the top 45′ of the lip 14′. The cover 121 is a thin, flat, planar member that extends nearly entirely across the upstanding lip 14′. The cover 121 has a straight front edge 122 which defines the front of the cover 121. The edge 122 is set back from the edges 40′ and 41′. This setback provides the lip 14′ with sufficiently flexibility to accommodate the marker 10 being slid laterally into the hold 43′. The lip 14′ is slightly taller than the lip 14 so that the marker 10 can slide under the cover 121. When the marker 10 is received in the hold 43′, the marker 10 is snug fit laterally into the lip 14′. There may be some vertical play of the marker 10 between the base 12′ and the cover 121.

A preferred embodiment is fully and clearly described above so as to enable one having skill in the art to understand, make, and use the same. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. To the extent that such modifications do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a golf ball marker;

a base having an upper face configured to receive the golf ball marker thereon;

a flange extending radially outward from the base proximate to the upper face of the base, the flange being a thin, monolithic extension of the base and having an upper face contiguous with and level to the upper face of the base;

a clip formed to the base and configured to snappedly receive the golf ball marker, wherein the clip is an upstanding lip disposed on the base between the upper face of the base and the upper face of the flange, and which includes an overhanging edge extending radially inwardly at a top of the lip; and

the clip bounding and defining a hold corresponding to the golf ball marker.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is quasi-annular.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the clip is smaller than the golf ball marker; and

the clip is resilient, and resiliently deforms outwardly in response to application of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting an inward bias on the golf ball marker in the hold in response.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip is a mechanical, non-magnetic clip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the hold has an opening with a width; and

the golf ball marker has a major dimension greater than the width of the opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the clip includes an inner surface;

the golf ball marker moves between a free condition in which the golf ball marker is free of the base, and an applied condition in which the golf ball marker is applied to the hold; and

in the applied condition, the golf ball marker is snappedly received in the hold, is against the entire inner surface of the clip, and is in flush contact with the upper face of the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder between the flange and the base and defining a lower perimeter edge of the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising fingers formed in the clip configured to resiliently move into and out of alignment with the clip.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lateral opening in the clip to receive the golf ball marker laterally therethrough into the clip.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the golf ball marker is a disc; and

the lateral opening is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball marker.

11. Apparatus comprising:

a golf ball marker;

a base having an upper face configured to receive the golf ball marker thereon, and a clip formed on the base defining a hold to snappedly receive the golf ball marker;

an opening through the clip into the hold;

the clip corresponds to the golf ball marker in shape, wherein the clip is an upstanding lip disposed on the base and includes an overhanging edge extending radially inwardly at a top of the lip; and

a flange extending radially outward from the base proximate to the upper face of the base, the flange being a thin, monolithic extension of the base and having an upper face contiguous with and level to the upper face of the base at the opening of the hold.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top of the lip is smaller in dimension than the golf ball marker.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clip resiliently deforms outwardly in response to application of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting an inward bias on the golf ball marker in the hold.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising fingers formed in the clip configured to resiliently move into and out of alignment with the clip.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the opening through the clip is lateral and configured to receive the golf ball marker laterally therethrough into the clip.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the golf ball marker is a disc; and

the opening is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball marker.

17. Apparatus comprising:

a base;

a quasi-annular upstanding lip on the base, the lip bounding and defining a hold;

a lateral opening formed in the lip;

a flange extending radially outward from the base, the flange being a thin, monolithic extension contiguous with and level to an upper surface of the base, the upper surface configured to receive the golf ball marker thereon;

an overhanging edge formed in the upstanding lip which extends radially inward at a top of the lip; and

a golf ball marker, the base and the lip configured to snappedly receive the golf ball marker in the hold.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the top of the lip is smaller in dimension than the golf ball marker.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lip resiliently deforms outwardly in response to application of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting an inward bias on the golf ball marker in the hold.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising fingers formed in the clip configured to resiliently move into and out of alignment with the clip.