GOLF FLAG POLE

Abstract

A golf flag (1) comprising a pole (2) comprising a first upper region with a first extremity to which a flag is attached and wherein a second lower extremity of the pole (2), consisting of a transparent part or section (3) will coincide with the zone of the pole (2) closest to a hole (4) of the Green in its position for use. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to reduce the “slow play effect” in golf by making it unnecessary to remove the flag when executing the putt.

Claims

1. A golf flag, comprising: a pole comprising: a first upper region with a first extremity to which a flag is attached; and a second lower extremity consisting of a transparent part or section coinciding with a zone of the pole closest to a hole of a Green when the pole is in position for use.

2. The golf flag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for concealing or obscuring the transparent part or section of the pole.

3. The golf flag as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for concealing the transparent part or section consist of a retractable cover that can be used between a first furled position, where the transparent part or section is fully visible, and a second deployed position of the cover, where the transparent part or section is concealed by said cover.

4. The golf flag as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for obscuring the transparent part or section consists of an electronic device configured to be activated between a first opaque view of the transparent part or section and a second transparent view of the transparent part or section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] A very brief description of a series of drawings provided for the better understanding of the invention, and relating expressly to an embodiment of said invention, illustrated as a non-limiting example thereof, appears below.

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically portrays a golf flag in accordance with the present invention, having a pole the bottom of which (closest to the hole) is transparent, and wherein a cover is also portrayed whose purpose is to cover the bottom part of the pole for this to cease to be transparent.

[0025] FIG. 2 schematically portrays a golf flag in accordance with the present invention, the pole of which is transparent at the bottom, and which in this case is covered by a cover which cancels this characteristic.

[0026] FIG. 3 portrays a drawing of a golf flag in accordance with the present invention, the pole whereof is transparent at the bottom, as the cover that covers it has been raised. A putt is also portrayed, which is the club that is used when the ball lies on the Green.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Golf flags are 2.30 meters in height, and are currently totally opaque. However, as may be seen in FIG. 1, the present invention advocates that the bottom part 3 of said pole 2 of the flag 1 be transparent, so that the part closest to the hole 4 is transparent. As indicated, the purpose of this transparency is to generate in the player the sensation that the flag has been removed and that, therefore, no visual or psychological perceptions arise to cause them to request withdrawal, and not to fulfill the aim of rule 13.2a (2) in order to combat slow play. In FIG. 1 it is also possible to observe the cover 5 in its furled position.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the flag 1 and the pole 2 with the cover 5 in the deployed position, canceling the transparency of the bottom part or section 3 of the pole 2. Thus, in the cases that may require this, the pole 2 will be completely opaque. The purpose of providing the invention with this possibility is that the players themselves can choose how they want to play (flag or no flag effect). As already discussed throughout the invention, there may be several reasons for players to prefer to play with the opaque pole 2. Among these reasons, an opaque pole 2 can provide increased hole awareness for short- to medium-range putts.

[0029] Finally, FIG. 3 portrays the pole 2 with the cover 5 in the furled position so that the transparent part 3 of the pole 2 is visible, so that the visual sensation of the pole 2 is that it has been removed from the hole 4. Also depicted in FIG. 3 is a putt 6, which is the club used when the ball lies on the Green, and with this, it is possible to portray the aforementioned sensation of putting without a flag noted by the player.

[0030] In the embodiment indicated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transparent material of the bottom part 3 of the pole 2 is a transparent material with a mechanical resistance suitable to withstand the moments of force generated by the wind, as well as to withstand the blows that it may suffer during the course of the game (i.e. being struck by a ball). A suitable material could be a glass with sufficient strength. Another suitable material for manufacturing the transparent part 3 of the pole 2 is an electronically obscuring device. The electronically obscuring device has the advantage that it does not require the use of the cover 5, since by activating or deactivating the transparency of the glass, the pole 2 would contain a part 3 that could become totally opaque, or totally transparent, depending on the wishes of the player and even performing that change at a distance, by activating an electronic circuit that would apply an electric current to the electronically obscuring device. However, this would involve an increase in the cost of the pole 2, as well as the provision of additional circuitry to the pole 2 and an independent power supply.

[0031] In any case, the advantages lie in the field of visual perceptions and the psychology of the player when putting. Therefore, thanks to the present invention, in short putts the player will not see the flag as visually intimidating and will not consider it a distraction. In addition, players will not feel that the hole is smaller with the flag in place, mainly in short putts. The player will not have the perception that the flag acts as a “buffer”, particularly in long downhill putts where there could be an increase in speed. Finally, by not perceiving the pole 2 the player will not have the sensation of something that is “so radically different” from what they have always been accustomed to, and will not be internally distracted from the pertinent signals that have worked in their pre-putt routine or during the execution of the putt.

[0032] In short, on the one hand, this invention causes more players to apply the new golf rule 13.2a (2), which allows the flag to be left in place when the ball lies on the Green, with the consequent contribution to solving the problem of slow play in golf. On the other hand, for those players who already apply this new rule, because they like the feeling of seeing the flag, this invention proposes means (i.e. the cover 5 or the electronically obscuring device) to cancel the transparent part 3 which, when simply lowered, will provoke that sensation once more. While the cover (5) is an added value for this invention, since as we have seen, it enables the satisfaction of a player who does not want to have the sensation of putting without a flag, it should be considered optional and not necessary; that is, a flag with a transparent extremity, but without a cover, would also be covered by the invention.