Golf green slope reading aid

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf aid for determining the slope of putting green or other area of a golf course. More specifically, the invention provides a device for calibrating suspending Optionally, the device includes a ball marker and can include tools for assembling the device in a golf club.

1 . A device for reading the slope of a golf green comprising
 a) a generally conical body having a top, a bottom that is narrower than the top and at least one side, wherein the bottom has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the grip end of a generally hollow golf club shaft, and the top has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the golf club shaft, such that at least the top of the device is retained outside the golf club shaft when the bottom is rotatably inserted into the grip end of the generally hollow golf club shaft;   b) a pair of positional balance markers disposed on opposite sides of a top portion of the body; and   c) a means for securing the device in a fixed position in the golf club shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side is stepped to form an upper step portion adjacent to the top and a lower step portion adjacent to the bottom, wherein the lower step portion fits rotatably within the grip end of a generally hollow golf club shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the grip end has an inner diameter of about 0.485 inches to about 0.68 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side is tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the taper is continuous from the top to the bottom. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positional balance markers comprise raised protrusions disposed on opposite sides of the device that can be felt by the operator. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the raised protrusions are faceted. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positional balance markers comprise indentations disposed on opposite sides of the device that can be felt by the operator. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positional balance markers include markings or engraving. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for securing the device in a fixed position comprises at least one screw. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for securing the device in a fixed position comprises at least one spike. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 a) the means for securing the device in a fixed position comprises an expansion tube, a wedge, a bolt and nut;   b) the expansion tube is a generally cylindrical member adapted at one end for accepting the bottom of the device, and at the other end for accepting the top of the wedge; and   c) the expansion tube and wedge and are connected to the device with the bolt and nut.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable ball marker. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the top of the device is adapted to accept the ball marker. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tool for installing or securing the device in a hollow golf club shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of a knife blade and screwdriver. 
     
     
         18 . A device for reading the slope of a golf green comprising
 a) a generally conical body having a top, a bottom that is narrower than the top and at least one side, wherein the bottom has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the grip end of a generally hollow golf club shaft, the top has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the golf club shaft, and the at least one side is stepped to form an upper step portion adjacent to the top and a lower step portion adjacent to the bottom, wherein the lower step portion fits rotatably within the grip end of a generally hollow golf club shaft such that at least the top of the device is retained outside the golf club shaft;   b) a pair of positional balance markers disposed on opposite sides of a top portion of the body, wherein positional balance markers comprise raised protrusions disposed on opposite sides of the device that can be felt by the operator; and   c) a means for securing the device in a fixed position in the golf club shaft comprising an expansion tube and a wedge, connected to the device with a bolt and a nut, wherein the expansion tube is a generally cylindrical member adapted at one end for accepting the bottom of the device, and at the other end for accepting the top of the wedge.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for assessing the slope of a golf green comprising
 a) inserting the device of  claim 1  into the hollow shaft of a golf club, thus forming a device-golf club assembly;   b) calibrating the device-golf club assembly such that at least one viewing edge of the golf club shaft is parallel to a reference plumb line when the assembly is suspended by an operator above ground directly in front of the operator from the positional balance markers;   c) securing the device in the calibrated position;   d) suspending the device-golf club assembly from the positional balance markers above ground directly in front of the operator such that the at least one viewing is plumb; and   e) comparing the slope of the golf green to the edge of the golf club.   d) suspending the device-golf club assembly from the positional balance markers above ground directly in front of the operator such that the at least one viewing is plumb; and   e) comparing the slope of the golf green to the edge of the golf club.