A golf instruction method, apparatus and analytics platform for determining the state of a putted golf ball relative to a target using information about the golf ball and external variables and remotely displaying the same, comprising a base unit, a mobile device or terminal, and an associated computer program including an analytics engine for analyzing a user's performance. The computer program determines whether and how a putted golf ball has missed said target and then stores, aggregates and displays that information for a user. The analytics engine is operable to aggregate data, analyze data and then correlate a user's actual skill proficiency to ball performance.

A golf ball retrieval device couples to a shaft of the flag stick while it is upstanding in a cup on a golf green. The device includes a support member at a lower end of a stem and a handle at an upper end of the stem. When attached to the flag stick, the support member is seated in the cup with the stem projecting upwardly to the handle. When a golfer holes out with his or her ball in the cup along with the flag stick, the ball is supported on the support member in the cup. To retrieve the ball from the cup, and without touching the flag stick, the golfer hooks the putter under the handle of the device and raises the handle and support member connected thereto along the shaft of the flag stick until the ball exits the cup on the support member. The golfer may allow the ball to roll off of the support member and back onto the green or grab the ball from the support member.

A golf ball remover allows easy removal of a golf ball from a golf hole while the flagstick is left in place, thereby sparing physical strain on the golfer and potential damage to the hole. The golf ball remover may user the flagstick itself as a movement guide, with a ball grabbing component that is not kept within the hole, but instead is stored above the hole on the flagstick and is pushed down into the hole when used. The golf ball remover may be attached to a retractable cord and/or other movement component to automatically lift it out of the hole.

The inventions disclosed herein may generally relate to a golf ball elevating systems which may address the need to elevate a golf ball or other sporting object from inside a putting green cup, possibly without human contact with a flag stick, ground, or cup. In some embodiments, the system may wholly comply with USGA (United States Golf Association) regulations. The system may use, for example, magnetic attraction or repulsion to facilitate elevation of the golf ball out of the cup. The system may use hooks, rings, or tool receptacles, as but a few examples to facilitate the golfer supplying the force to remove the golf ball from the cup such as by a putter. If desired to comply with the USGA flagstick requirements, some embodiments may have no pieces of the system present outside of the flagstick in the regions approximately 3″ above and approximately 3″ below the putting surface.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for hands-free retrieval of a golf ball from a putting green hole, where the apparatus includes a tilting disk placed in the hole that can be operated by a golf club handle to rotate the disk to pop up or eject the golf ball from the hole.

A specialized tool for golfers, this invention is small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket, in the form of a ball marker, with a line long enough to be useful, and a custom-molded hook/clasp to hold it together neatly. In addition to being a ball marker, this unique combination of features provides the user the length, accuracy, and speed-of-use necessary for: determining which ball is closest to (or farthest from) the hole, whether a ball is in or out of bounds, and a thin, straight line for putting practice; without unduly delaying the pace of play on the golf course.

A device for recovering a golf ball from a golf hole, the device comprising a baseplate extending substantially horizontally and configured to rest in the hole, a rod extending substantially vertically from the baseplate, and a handling member arranged on the rod so that it may be lifted by the head of a golfer's club.

An attachable ball holder assembly is disclosed that is operable for removing a golf ball from a golf hole. The assembly comprises of a holding platform. The holding platform comprises of a first holding platform flange and a second holding platform flange. The holding platform comprises of a first central void ring area defining a first central void. The holding platform comprises of an upper sector and a lower sector, wherein the lower sector comprises a central circular depression. The assembly comprises of a ridge coupled to the holding platform and disposed above the circumference of the holding platform. The assembly comprises of a bushing assembly comprising a first pole bushing coupled to a second pole pushing, wherein the bushing assembly is configured with a second central void ring area defining a second central void having a diameter greater than the diameter of a flagstick pole. The first pole bushing is disposed within the first central void, wherein the first pole bushing comprises of a first flange coupled to a first half of the depression, wherein the first flange is semi-circular. The second pole bushing is disposed within the first central void 1040. The second pole bushing comprises of a second flange coupled to substantially a second half of the depression.

A special outdoor game that combines corn hole, bocce ball, and horseshoes as a beach game. The components include a pair of a target cups with a depth or may be substituted with rings for hard surfaces; two sets of balls or equal spherical, toss-able object, each of the set consists of four different color/design balls; and a pair of target stakes preferably round or tubular. The target stakes are used as a primary target for the game with the target cups permitting a player to score more points; a carrying bag or container; a measurement flag or equal; and a card explaining scoring and rules. The game can be played on a turf field, tennis court, sand field, sand beach, backyard, or parking lot. When played on a hard, firm surface, the target rings may be substituted for the target cups.

A ball lifting device having an elevator is attachable to a flagstick for enabling easy removal of a golf ball that is holed while putting with the flagstick in place in the cup. The elevator may be attached to a handle portion that extends up along the pole portion of the flagstick allowing the elevator to be raised by way of the handle portion. The handle portion may have a hook portion for hooking up with a golf club so that hand contact with the device is eliminated. The handle portion may be a thin member. The handle portion may be a tubular portion. The elevator may be spring loaded with the spring manually loaded by a golfer and released to eject the golf ball from the cup.