Golf accessory

Abstract

A golf accessory operates as a golf ball retrieval and marking device. The golf accessory includes an opening for receiving the golf ball and grasping arms for holding the ball therein. The golf accessory also includes an arm which carries a magnet and a mark magnetically coupled to the magnet. The magnet is moved away from the mark in response to the golf ball being received by the opening. The mark falls to the ground in response to the magnet being moved away from it and marks the location of the golf ball.

1 . A golf accessory, comprising:
 a magnet;   an arm which carries the magnet; and   a mark which is repeatably moveable between positions coupled to and decoupled from the magnet in response to movement of the arm.   
   
   
       2 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is moved in response to engaging a ball. 
   
   
       3 . The accessory of  claim 1 , further including a guide rail which guides movement of the arm. 
   
   
       4 . The accessory of  claim 1 , further including a grasping arm which grasps the ball when it engages the arm. 
   
   
       5 . The accessory of  claim 1 , further including a golf accessory body with first and second openings for allowing opposed sides of the arm to be engaged. 
   
   
       6 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the ball engages the arm in response to it moving through the first opening. 
   
   
       7 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the ball is disengaged from the arm in response to engaging the arm through the second opening. 
   
   
       8 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the golf accessory body decouples the mark from the magnet in response to the ball engaging the arm. 
   
   
       9 . A method of marking the location of a ball, comprising:
 providing a golf accessory which includes an arm which carries the magnet, and a mark which is repeatably moveable between positions coupled to and decoupled from the magnet; and   engaging the arm with the ball so the arm moves the magnet away from the mark.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the golf accessory further includes a golf accessory body with first and second openings for engaging opposed sides of the arm. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including moving the ball through the first opening so the arm moves the magnet away from the mark. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including engaging the arm through the second opening so the ball is moved through the first opening. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including coupling the mark to the magnet. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the golf accessory body decouples the mark from the magnet in response to the ball engaging the arm. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further including grasping the ball with a grasping arm when the ball moves through the first opening. 
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a golf accessory, comprising:
 providing a golf accessory body with a first opening sized and shaped to receive a ball;   providing an arm which carries a magnet; and   positioning the arm so it is engaged by the ball when the ball moves through the first opening.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including providing the golf accessory body with a second opening which allows the arm to be engaged and moved towards the first opening. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further including positioning a guide rail so it guides movement of the arm when it moves towards and away from the first opening. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further including providing the golf accessory with a third opening for allowing a mark so be coupled to the magnet when the arm is moved towards the first opening. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the golf accessory body includes a ball striking surface.