A system that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment, game apparatus, or gaming tool, with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive real or simulated game. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing or sports techniques. The system includes any sports implement or smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing devices, all containing circuits and contact and or noncontact motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer display screen displays player information and visually simulates and controls a game between one or more local computer players or via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. The computer displays player information such as anatomical motion or data, game apparatus, gaming tool, or sports implement information simultaneously, and visually simulates and controls a game between two players via the internet having sports equipment remotely located from each other, providing graphics animation and graphics to learn and compete by. Standard sports implements may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such implements as clubs into smart dubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information and dynamic motion parameters.

Golf putting practice devices and methods are described that can be used to practice putting indoors on a flat surface or in an opening in the floor. For example, some example golf putting practice devices described herein may include a ball receptacle, a frame, and a ramp. The ball receptacle has one or more walls defining a cavity sized to receive a golf ball. The frame has multiple openings to allow a flow of air when the device is placed over an opening in the floor, such as a duct outlet of a forced air circulation system. The ramp of the device may be adjustable between different lengths.

The invention relates to a system that connects a game implement to a computer. Two or more persons are allowed to be interconnected and play interactively through the system.

A gravity-powered golf putting ramp configured to receive a golf ball in motion in a first direction, guide the golf ball using an arced ramp in a second direction that increases gravitational potential energy, and guides the golf ball in a third direction that is substantially the opposite the first direction. The gravity-powered golf putting ramp includes: a planar base that supports the gravity-powered golf putting ramp when it is placed on a planar surface; a leading edge connected to the planar base, the leading edge having a small height relative to a width of the leading edge; a putting arc configured to receive a golf ball in motion, the putting arc connected to the leading edge and oriented in a direction substantially similar to the planar base. The putting arc is configured to: guide the golf ball having a first amount of kinetic energy and having a first path that is at least partially in an upward direction from the planar base until the golf ball reaches an apex, at which point it has substantially no kinetic energy and does have an amount of potential energy relative to the planar base; and guide the golf ball in a return path that is substantially directionally different than the first path and that is downward from the apex.

An automatic golf ball lifting device is inside the cylindrical cup; when switched-on can remotely, accurately and instinctively know the presence of a on a hole golf ball, hence a golf ball on its receiving plate situated approximately 4 inches ground depth, is mechanically raised on the ground level, lifting the golf ball continuously, for faster and easier access; wherein removal of the golf ball prompts the system to automatically lower the top receiving plate to its original position, in preparation for the next ball to be sensed and elevated.

Golf regulations have recently changed so that the golf flagstick or flag no longer is required to be removed during play. It is important to be able to retrieve the ball, and this device, which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the golf club hole will be placed on the lower end of the golf flag stick. The device will be hidden from view when the flagstick is in the golf hole. The golfer retrieves the ball by pulling up on the flagstick until the ball rolls out of the cup. This device to retrieve the ball will prevent damage to the putting surface.

A gravity-powered golf putting ramp configured to receive a golf ball in motion in a first direction, guide the golf ball using an arced ramp in a second direction that increases gravitational potential energy, and guides the golf ball in a third direction that is substantially the opposite the first direction. The gravity-powered golf putting ramp includes: a planar base that supports the gravity-powered golf putting ramp when it is placed on a planar surface; a leading edge connected to the planar base, the leading edge having a small height relative to a width of the leading edge; a putting arc configured to receive a golf ball in motion, the putting arc connected to the leading edge and oriented in a direction substantially similar to the planar base. The putting arc is configured to: guide the golf ball having a first amount of kinetic energy and having a first path that is at least partially in an upward direction from the planar base until the golf ball reaches an apex, at which point it has substantially no kinetic energy and does have an amount of potential energy relative to the planar base; and guide the golf ball in a return path that is substantially directionally different than the first path and that is downward from the apex.

A golf ball elevator facilitates retrieval of a golf ball by a golfer after the golfer strokes the golf ball into a golf hole cup on a putting green of a golf course.

A golf ball elevator facilitates retrieval of a golf ball by a golfer after the golfer strokes the golf ball into a golf hole cup on a putting green of a golf course.

A method and a device for automatically returning golf balls towards a golfer over a predefined track, in particular for putting training on golfing greens, in which distances from a golf hole are different, includes a motorized lifting device having lowered and lifted positions of the golf ball and controllable assemblies generating a driving force causing the golf ball to roll down from its lifted position along a specific length and guiding the ball to the golfer by using a position guidance system. Preferably, a microcontroller is associated with the force-generating assemblies for controlling the required length of the rolling down motion. The microcontroller is at least connected to an air stream sensor and a humidity sensor by circuit technology, and optionally to mobile signal transmission computer equipment for transmitting the required length with a radio receiver assembly.