Abstract: A golf cup comprises a tubular housing, support members provided within the housing and defining a central bore for receiving a replaceable plastic bushing. The bushing, having an upper end and a lower end, is snugly fitted in the central bore. The upper end of the bushing member has an annular flange supported by a shoulder of the support members. The lower end of the bushing member is extended below the support members and provided with an annular groove for receiving an o-ring for holding the bushing member in a fixed position. The present invention also discloses a plastic bushing for a metal golf flagpole adapter.

Abstract: An in-ground sand receptacle contains sand used to repair divots in a golf course. The receptacle includes a plurality of walls defining an enclosure adapted for residing below a ground surface of the golf course. The enclosure has an open top for receiving sand therein. A lid removably covers the open top of the enclosure. Indicia is applied to the lid for indicating a distance between the receptacle and a predetermined point on the golf course.

Abstract: A golf cup comprises a tubular housing, support members provided within the housing and defining a central bore for receiving a replaceable plastic bushing. The bushing, having an upper end and a lower end, is snugly fitted in the central bore. The upper end of the bushing member has an annular flange supported by a shoulder of the support members. The lower end of the bushing member is extended below the support members and provided with an annular groove for receiving an o-ring for holding the bushing member in a fixed position. The present invention also discloses a plastic bushing for a metal golf flagpole adapter.

Abstract: A golf hole cup has a synthetic plastic cup component molded as a single, monolithic unit. This includes a cylindrical outer liner tube, a central ferrule support core tube and a mounting structure, including a cone support flanges supporting the core tube in the center of the liner tube. Molded into the cup component is a cylindrical metallic insert that forms the inner surface of the core tube to resist wear and damage from the ferrule of a flagstick. The insert is preferably formed from bearing bronze.

Abstract: A game providing method dispenses a golf ball that has an ID number recorded. A plurality of players hits the golf ball in turn from respective bays toward a fixed target position. A number of the golf balls hit from each of the bays is counted by counting means until an ID number recognizing device disposed at the target position recognizes a golf ball having an ID number corresponding to each of the bays. The number of the golf balls counted in each of the bays is displayed by display means.

Abstract: A golf putting cup that includes an outer cylindrical wall and a bottom portion disposed therein. The bottom portion forms a ferrule socket and includes at least one passage for directing sand and other debris away from the ferrule socket. The ferrule socket is of minimal surface area to prevent sand or other material from becoming trapped between the ferrule and ferrule socket.

Abstract: A golf pin stand device comprising a connector and a pair of leg members which, when attached to a golf pin, supports a golf pin above ground in a tripod configuration. The connector is adapted to connect to the shaft of a golf pin. The leg members are pivotally attached to the connector and freely move relative to the connector between a retracted position when the pin is in a vertical position and an extended position when the pin is in a horizontal position. The device allows the pin to be removed from a hole and set aside in a supported position such that, when resetting the pin, a golfer need not bend down to the green to retrieve the pin. The pin, while supported above the surface of the green by the pair of leg members, can be used to support at least one golf club thereby keeping the golf club handle high enough above the ground to keep the grip clean and dry.

Abstract: A golf training device including flat, web material having a transverse dimension of about 1/2 to 3 feet, and a single internal target hole having a diameter of about 4 1/4 inches. The softness, flexibility and thinness of the web material is such that, with the web material placed on a holeless surface, a golf ball rolling thereto by a putting stroke, will be only slightly impeded by both the peripheral boundary of the web material, and the circumferential boundary of the target hole.

Abstract: A golf putting cup that includes an outer cylindrical wall and a bottom portion disposed therein. The bottom portion forms a ferrule socket and includes at least one passage for directing sand and other debris away from the ferrule socket. The ferrule socket is of minimal surface area to prevent sand or other material from becoming trapped between the ferrule and ferrule socket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enable practicing of a putting stroke on an actual green surface. A putting cup post is positioned upright in the putting cup, and a stabilizing post is put into the green surface so as to be upstanding therefrom adjacent to a putting location. An alignment cord is extended from an upper end of the stabilizing post to the upper end of the putting cup post, and an alignment cord is extended between the two posts. For a breaking putt, an alignment post is positioned to provide an initial alignment section of the cord that is aligned with the initial path of travel of the ball from the putting location along the intended putting path. The ball is placed at a putting location near the stabilizing post, and the golfer uses proper putting techniques to strike the ball, using the initial portion of the alignment cord to putt the ball in the proper direction.

Abstract: A method of instruction for improving actual play of golf, which method comprises the following steps: hitting golf balls to a golf swing touch trainer, which embraces a portably-sized, substantially flat web material having a transverse dimension about one-half foot to about three feet, a top horizontal surface, and a bottom horizontal surface generally in vertical registry with and essentially parallel to the top surface, a peripheral boundary; having a substantially thin side profile less than about 1/8 of an inch such that a golf ball can roll across the peripheral boundary from, and to, a surface on which the trainer can be placed and onto, and off, the top surface of the web material without being substantially impeded in its travel; having a dark color or shade so as to be able to simulate a hole or easily discernible area, which can be impressionable and memorable as to an aiming area to be employed in real play after use of the trainer, and having within the peripheral boundary a single internal targ

Abstract: A device and method for improving the putting of a golf ball is described herein. The instructional device employs a sighting member and a shaft guide to assist in aligning and stroking a golf putt. The device is configured such that a golfer or instructor may develop each putting skill independently or in combination with the other skills. The device comprises two stands, set apart, with the sighting member attached to the top of each stand. A square face indicator may be positioned perpendicular to the sighting member, and the shaft guide may couple to a side of the stands. A method for improving the putting of a golf ball is also described herein, where the method addresses finding and verifying a sight line that extends from a golf ball to a desired target, aligning a golf putter face squarely to said sight line, and moving a putter shaft parallel to said sight line.

Abstract: A portable golf game apparatus with multiple targets which are individually identifiable by symbols in a recognizable sequence marked thereon. Prior to a game, the targets are placed, in successive relationship, in a playing field. The targets include cups, the upper edges thereof being disposed level with the surface of the ground during play. Flags and markers are deployed to help guide players through the sequence of the cups to be played and to supply information as to the direction the ball needs to be struck to reach the next cup. Means for removably mounting one of the flags on each of the cups is provided; the markers, on the other hand, are self-supporting. After the game, the cups are removed and stored together. Stackable, the cups can be placed end to end form a hollow tube. End caps can be secured to the tube so as to close it. The resultant closed container can then be used to store a putter and golf balls as well as the flags and markers.

Abstract: A golf cup is provided for securement to a golf practice putting platform wherein the cup comprises a cylinder defining a hollow chamber having a closed bottom end and a circular open top end. The securement means is provided adjacent the open top end for securing the golf cup to the putting platform. The golf cup is provided with a plurality of gadgetry, mechanically or electronically constructed, to induce laughter to one or more players playing the putting game on a miniature golf putting course. There is also provided a golf tee for securement to the practice putting platform and comprised of a cylinder having a hole therein for securement of a tee element which extends thereabove. The cylinder housing is detachable secured to a support base having securement means for securing the golf tee to the putting platform. Various gadgetry is also connected to the tee to further induce laughter to the players.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enable practicing of a putting stroke on an actual green surface. A putting cup post is positioned upright in the putting cup, and a stabilizing post is put into the green surface so as to be upstanding therefrom adjacent to a putting location. An alignment cord is extended from an upper end of the stabilizing post to the upper end of the putting cup post, and an alignment cord is extended between the two posts. For a breaking putt, an alignment post is positioned to provide an initial alignment section of the cord that is aligned with the initial path of travel of the ball from the putting location along the intended putting path. The ball is placed at a putting location near the stabilizing post, and the golfer uses proper putting techniques to strike the ball, using the initial portion of the alignment cord to putt the ball in the proper direction.

Abstract: A detachable cup indicator is provided for connection to a golf flag stick for indicating the cup position on a putting green. A flag holder having a flag stick attachment for releasably attaching a series of detachable coded flags is adapted for being received by a flag stick. A series of coded flags including a first golf flag having a first design for indicating a first placement of the golf hole on the green and a second golf flag having a second design for indicating a second placement of the golf hole on the green are interchangeably attached to the flag holder for indicating the position of the golf cup on the green.

Abstract: A golf game uses radio signals from golf balls to signal to a central computer for automatic score-keeping by the computer. Sensors in each hole also send signals to the computer on the completion of each hole play for each golfer. The golf balls are distinguishable by the computer according to their radio frequencies or digital or other signal processing and coding encoding. The golf balls transmit struck by special golf clubs which incorporate magnets; the balls include magnetic or other corresponding sensors. Each player, upon starting the game, inputs his/her name or initials which action identifies the specific ball he/she has been assigned use on the course. Scores are reported optionally at each hole, and a final score is reported by the computer at the conclusion of play.

Abstract: A new and improved yard golf game comprised of a plurality of golf clubs. Included in the game are a plurality of hazards each having two spikes extending from a bottom portion thereof. The two spikes serve to embed the hazards into the yard. Included in the game are a plurality of golf holes each having a bottom portion and a cylindrical side wall extending perpendicularly upward therefrom. The cylindrical side wall terminates in an open upper periphery. The bottom portion has an aperture formed therethrough. Included in the game are a plurality of lids. Each lid is adapted to be received within open upper periphery of the plurality of golf holes. Included in the game are a plurality of golf balls. The golf balls are adapted to be received within the plurality of golf holes.