Review of the Second Episode of “Fore Inventors Only” on The Golf Channel – Is Stina the Only Judge with Common Sense?
Golfers are crazy, inventors are even crazier, and I don’t know what to say about Fulton and Bill as judges!
1) Steady Head (Jack’s Biggest Fan) – Laser Cap Attachment
Panel: packin’
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: I hate to break it to this guy… but check out the patent profiled in this recent post
2) HillShot Golf – Angled Practice Mat
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: double bogey, see below
Notes: Think this is a new idea? Well, HillShot Golf does have a patent, but it is a DESIGN patent. Click here to check it out. Check out the following UTILITY patents on similar concepts… such as USPN 6921342, USPN 6663498, USPN 5944615, USPN 4279420, and several others… Design patents can be powerful tools, however I don’t think that the HillShot design patent will do much to keep competing products out of the market.
3) Carpet Break – corkscrew to elevate carpet to practice putting
Panel: packin’
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: Not a bad idea, however I will just use the cork screw from my kitchen.
4) Shaft Skinz – heat shrink graphics for steel shafts (check website)
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: bogey
5) Golf Kart Kaddy – angled bag attachment
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: double bogey
6) Golf Ball Juggling Trainer
Panel: packin’
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: I would like to have one of these in my office!
7) Perfect Putt – string drill cup insert
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: par
Protectability: par
Notes: Great invention.
8) Fact Putt System – calculator, data sheets, mean, standard deviation, … snorefest…
Panel: packin’
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
9) Universal Alignment Golf Ball – left and right handed miracle golf ball
Panel: packin’
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: The inventor claims that the golf ball finds the center of gravity of earth… helps you feel the balance… incorporates spherical trigonometry… I don’t buy a thing he said…
10) Z-Factor Perfect Putter Machine – used by Vijay and 50 other tour players
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: par
Protectability: birdie
Notes: A real product and a real patent! Check out USPN 6893356
SPEED ROUND WRAP-UP
11) Clubface Cleaning Shoes – bristles in side of golf shoe soles
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: par
Protectability: bogey
Notes: Good idea.
12) Bunker Buddy Folding Rake that Attaches to Grip
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: Would anyone really buy this product?
13) Trunk Chair
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: double bogey
Notes: I can’t believe that the judges passed this to the next round! I estimate the market size to be 3 (Stina, Fulton, and Bill – none of whom would actually purchase the product). Come on.
14) Velcro Glove Grabber
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: par
Protectability: double bogey
15) Clean and Drop Towel – moist inside / dry outside
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: double bogey
16) True Ympact – limits lateral movement in swing through impact
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: par
Protectability: par
17) Ego Personal Putting Coach – eliminate wristy putting strokes
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: bogey
Protectability: bogey
18) Load and Explode – attach your rear to a pole and develop a better swing
Panel: pass
The IP Golf Guy’s Evaluation:
Marketability: double bogey
Protectability: bogey
Notes: This invention looks so odd that I don’t see people buying it.
So what was my favorite invention? Drum roll please… A tie between the Perfect Putt string cup insert invention and the Z-Factor Perfect Putter Machine.
Congratulations Golf Channel on another great show!
David Dawsey – The Golf Invention Lawyer
PS – check out my review of the first episode here
PPS – now the disclaimer… the opinions above are not legal opinions and are not supported by any research!