Alignment aid for putting

Abstract

A device to practice playing golf having at least one first, flat section for placing the device onto the ground, particularly in the area of the green of a golf course, and a second section, at least arranged partially off-set in reference to the first section so that after the placement of the device with its first section a golf ball can be located underneath the second section. The device is provided with an arrangement in the second section, by which a marking applied on the golf ball is discernible in order to check the relative alignment of the device and the golf ball. This allows a golf ball to be aligned to a target and/or a target alignment of the golf ball that is set can be checked.

1 . A device ( 1 ) to practice playing golf, comprising at least a first, flat section ( 3 ) adapted for placement of the device ( 1 ) on the ground, and a second section ( 4 ), arranged at least partially off-set in reference to the first section ( 3 ) so that after the placement of the device ( 1 ) with the first section ( 3 ) on the ground, a golf ball ( 2 ) can be located underneath the second section ( 4 ), and an arrangement ( 6 ) provided at the second section ( 4 ), through which a marking ( 7 ) applied to the golf ball ( 2 ) is discernible, in order to check a relative alignment of the device ( 1 ) and the golf ball ( 2 ). 
   
   
       2 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one visually discernible marking ( 9 . 1 ,  9 . 2 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ) on the device ( 1 ) for aligning the device ( 1 ) to a target location. 
   
   
       3 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the marking is embodied as a linear marking ( 10 ) provided at least in the first section ( 3 ). 
   
   
       4 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the marking is provided at a free end ( 11 ) of the first section ( 3 ) that is tapered to form a tip of an arrow. 
   
   
       5 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third section ( 5 ), essentially equivalent to the first section ( 3 ), with the second section ( 4 ) being arranged between the first section ( 3 ) and the third section ( 5 ). 
   
   
       6 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the second section ( 4 ) has a reduced width in reference to the first section ( 3 ). 
   
   
       7 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein in at least a portion of the second section ( 4 ), the width of the device ( 1 ) is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball ( 2 ). 
   
   
       8 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement ( 6 ) for recognizing the marking ( 7 ) of the golf ball ( 2 ) comprises a slot-shaped penetration ( 8 ) in the second section. 
   
   
       9 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein a length of the slot-shaped penetration ( 8 ) is approximately equal to a diameter of the golf ball ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein there is at least one visually discernible marking ( 10 ,  12 ) on at least one of the first section ( 3 ) or a third section ( 5 ) located on an opposite side of the second section from the first section, and the penetration ( 8 ) is aligned to the marking ( 10 ,  12 ) on the at least one of the first section ( 3 ) or the third section ( 5 ). 
   
   
       11 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claims 10 , wherein at both sides of the penetration ( 8 ) additional markings ( 9 . 1 ,  9 . 2 ) are provided, cooperating with the marking ( 10 ,  12 ) on the at least one of the first section ( 3 ) or the third section ( 5 ) in a manner similar to a notch and bead. 
   
   
       12 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the second section ( 4 ), at least in a partial area, is provided with a curvature perpendicular in reference to a longitudinal extension of the device ( 1 ), which is equivalent to a curvature of a surface of the golf ball. 
   
   
       13 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the penetration ( 8 ) is arranged in the curved partial section. 
   
   
       14 . A device ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of protruding or recessed structures ( 13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ) located at least in the first section ( 3 ). 
   
   
       15 . A device ( 1 ) according to at least  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of protruding or recessed structures comprise the protruding structures ( 13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 ) that are embodied at least partially as circular arcs, with a common center of the circular arcs being arranged below the penetration ( 8 ).