This invention relates generally to golfing, and more particularly to golf ball retrieving and extracting devices that fit or attach to golf clubs.
Normally, at the completion of each hole golfers must bend over to remove a golf ball from the cup. Also, oftentimes during play golfers may have to bend over numerous times to remove golf balls from hazards, such as grass or water. Although bending over is usually not a problem for the young golfer, it can be a strenuous and virtually impossible task for the elderly, anyone with back problems, arthritis, or a handicapped golfer. Thus, there is a need for a device that will extract golf balls from such locations without requiring the golfer to bend over.
Furthermore, such a ball extracting device must be convenient and easy to use as usually a golfer carries only the putter in hand at the end of the hole or, if not a that hole, the golfer carries another club and is separated from the golf bag. Therefore, it is necessary to have such a device that is built into the putter or club which, at the same time, does not effect the playing characteristics of the putter or club.
The prior art contains many devices designed to fulfill the above needs, but none does it like the present invention. The most pertinent patents concerning golf ball retrievers or extractors that attach to the handle-grip end of a golf club are as follows:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No.: Inventor: Date of Patent: ______________________________________ 5,004,240 Tsukamoto April 2, 1991 4,787,632 Nigrelli, et al. Nov. 29, 1988 3,318,628 White May 9, 1967 3,401,970 Russell Sept. 17, 1968 3,462,184 Russell Aug. 19, 1969 2,833,584 McEvoy May 6, 1958 2,801,875 McEvoy Aug. 6, 1957 802,264 Brown Oct. 17, 1905 3,698,720 Gudmundsen Oct. 17, 1972 3,273,927 Carlson Sept. 20, 1966 3,239,264 DuPont March 25, 1964 4,687,204 Lempio Aug. 18, 1987 1,380,526 Carpenter June 7, 1921 1,674,294 O'Rourke June 19, 1928 2,523,942 Ciambriello Sept. 26, 1950 2,750,222 Borah June 12, 1956 ______________________________________
The Tsukamoto patent shows an extractor will ball-retrieving prongs built into the grip handle. Unfortunately, the latter device requires that the golf club handle be modified so that a spring and other mechanical components can be placed therein to operate the retrieving prongs. The Nigrelli, et al. patent shows claw-clamp type retrievers that attach to the end of a club handle. The White patent shows another prong-like retriever built into the handle grip operable by a push button extension. The two Russel patents show other prong-like retrievers that attach to the end of a handle or which are built into the handle grip extension. The two McEvoy patents also show palm retrievers that are removably attachable to the handle by different means. The remainder of the above patents show various golf ball retrievers that fit by a collar over the end of the golf club or are incorporated within the handle grip itself.
Unlike the golf ball retrievers or extractors in the prior art that are attached to the handle end of the golf club, the present invention is an integral part of the grip itself and thus requires no modification of an existing golf club. Furthermore, unlike inventions in the prior art the present invention has no moving parts. The present invention discloses an extractor which is a circular module having an opening on the top end which holds a ball when it is pushed downward on the ball. The present extractor has one or more finger holes around the extractor to enable the ball to be released from the extractor by use of the golfer's fingers. One embodiment of the present invention has an entire grip that fits over the golf club shaft and replaces the preexisting grip on the golf club. Another embodiment is designed to fit over a preexisting grip. Finally, a third embodiment attaches just over the tip of the grip itself. All of the embodiments require no modification to existing golf clubs and have no impact upon putting or playing performance.