Retractable line putting trainer and methods

Abstract

A retractable line putting trainer includes a spool unit including a spring-retractable tape in a tape housing supported on a base plate. The leading end of the tape is attached to a stand. The spool unit is placed at the cup or hole on a green and the tape extends out from the spool unit as the stand is pulled away to a desired ball position. Markings on the tape may visually indicate distance to the cup, back stroke position and front stroke position of the putter swing.

1 . A retractable line putting trainer, comprising:
 a spool frame having a base plate;   a spool rotatably supported on the spool frame;   a measuring tape wound on the spool;   a stand engageable with the spool frame and with an end of the measuring tape attached onto the stand.   
     
     
         2 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  with the end of the measuring tape attached to a top surface of the stand. 
     
     
         3 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 2  with the first end of the measuring tape pivotally attached to the top surface of the stand. 
     
     
         4 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  with the base plate having a front section slidable into a base slot in the stand. 
     
     
         5 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 2  further including a platform on the base plate and the spool contained in a spool housing on the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 5  with the first end of the measuring tape extending out of a tape slot in the spool housing and with the tape slot at the same height as the top surface of the stand. 
     
     
         7 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  with a foot on the stand adapted to slide into a recess in the spool frame. 
     
     
         8 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  with the base including a stand base, a foot at a front end of stand base and an upright arm joined to the foot and to the stand base, and through holes in the stand base on opposite sides of the upright arm. 
     
     
         9 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 8  with the upright arm forming an acute angle AA with a top surface of the foot. 
     
     
         10 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 9  with the spool housing having a front surface at an angle complementary to angle AA. 
     
     
         11 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 3  with the first end of the tape attached to a tab pivotally attached to a cap permanently attached to the top of the stand. 
     
     
         12 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 11  further including a foot on the stand adapted to slide into a recess in the spool frame, with the spool in the spool housing, and with the cap substantially contacting the spool housing when the stand is engaged with spool frame. 
     
     
         13 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 6  with the tape slot above the base plate by 8-20 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  further including a tape positioning rod releasably attached to the spool frame. 
     
     
         15 . The golf putting trainer of  claim 1  with the tape having a length of at least 3 meters. 
     
     
         16 . A putting training device comprising:
 a spool unit including a spring-retractable tape in a tape housing supported on a base plate having a flat bottom surface, with two or more holes in the base plate for securing the spool unit in place on a green; and   a stand unit having a stand base with two or more holes for securing the stand unit in place on a green, and with a leading end of the tape attached to the stand unit.   
     
     
         17 . The putting training device of  claim 16  with the spool unit and the stand having complimentary engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The putting training device of  claim 17  with the complimentary engaging surfaces comprising a foot on the stand projecting into a recess in the spool unit. 
     
     
         19 . The putting training device of  claim 17  further including back stroke and distance markings on the tape.