Golf clubs having golf tool devices

Abstract

Golf tool devices and golf clubs having those devices attached to, or incorporated with, their grips are disclosed. In some embodiments, the golf tool device includes a housing and a tool assembly attached to the housing. The tool assembly includes a base jaw and a gripper jaw pivotably connected to the base jaw. The tool assembly additionally includes a spring connected to the gripper jaw and configured to urge the gripper jaw toward the base jaw. The golf tool device additionally includes a mode selector assembly configured to selectively switch operation of the gripper jaw between at least two modes. The at least two modes include a first mode in which the gripper jaw moves in response to urging of the spring, and a second mode in which the gripper jaw is secured in a first position that is spaced away from the base jaw against urging of the spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club, comprising:
 a grip;   a shaft having opposed first and second end portions, the first end portion being received in the grip;   a club head attached to the second end portion of the shaft;   a tool assembly attached to, or incorporated with, the grip and including:
 a base jaw; 
 a gripper jaw pivotably connected to the base jaw; 
 a spring connected to the gripper jaw and configured to urge the gripper jaw toward the base jaw; and 
   a mode selector assembly configured to selectively switch operation of the gripper jaw between at least two modes, including:
 a first mode in which the gripper jaw moves relative to the base jaw in response to urging of the spring, and 
 a second mode in which the gripper jaw is secured in a first position that is spaced away from the base jaw against urging of the spring. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the tool assembly is slidably attached to the grip and configured to move between a retracted position in which at least a substantial portion of the tool assembly is enclosed by the grip, and an extended position in which at least a substantial portion of the tool assembly is external the grip. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club of  claim 2 , wherein the gripper jaw includes a slot configured to removably receive at least one ball marker, and wherein the grip includes an aperture sized to allow a user to access the slot when the tool assembly is in the retracted position.