Putting… if only I could one-putt every green. Actually, I would be elated if I could one-putt just 9 greens per round. Is that asking too much?

One-putts may be less elusive for users of the invention disclosed in a patent application that published this week. US Publication No. 20070099729 titled “Golf Green Reading Device” describes itself as:

"A golf green reading device has a lens with a reference line that is illuminated when the reference line is in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The reference line is illuminated by an electrical circuit secured within a housing having a power source, a light source, and a level switch. The user holds the device in a horizontal or vertical orientation to read the slope of a golf green relative to the reference line and determine the correct line to putt the golf ball."

This is how the invention is supposed to be used:

"In operation, the golfer uses the device 10 after a golf ball 44 comes to rest on a golf green 46, as shown in FIG. 5. The user takes a position behind the golf ball 44 and facing a direction along a straight line extending between a cup 50 and the ball 44. The user engages the power switch 38 to turn the device 10 on and holds the device 10 in a vertical orientation and in alignment with his eye 52 so that the green 46 is visible through the viewing surface 28. The user rotates the device 10 about a center axis until the reference line 34 reaches either a vertical or horizontal orientation. When the reference line 34 reaches either the horizontal or vertical orientation, the level switch 40 completes the electric circuit 20 and activates the light sources 42, which illuminate the reference line 34. The illuminated reference line 34 signals to the user that the reference line 34 is in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. The user now sees on the viewing surface 28 an illuminated reference line 34 superimposed over the view of the golf green 46. By observing the reference line 34 over the view of the green 46, the user determines which direction the golf green 46 is sloped and therefore, the direction 54 he or she must putt the ball 44 to put it in the hole 50."





I am willing to try a lot of crazy products to improve my game, but I would have to pass on this one. It reminds me of something I would receive as a stocking-stuffer at Christmas. Nonetheless, I suspect there are a lot of golfers out there that would give it a try if the price was right. Best of luck.

David Dawsey – The IP Golf Guy