I have enough trouble reading the break of greens, let alone factoring in the grain. However, if you are one of the golfers that is good enough to actually take the grain of a green into account then this ball marker may have some appeal to you.

The invention is disclosed in a patent application that published last week as US Pub. No. 20080207356 titled “Ball Marker Used to Ascertain Grain Direction of a Putting Surface.” Check out this description of the invention (it is actually very educational):

[0004] Golfers all use a device as a ball marker so the ball may be picked up, cleaned and replaced in the original spot marked by the ball marker. Ball markers are small devices, such as a coin, or a disc, or a disc with a depending appendage to anchor the marker to the surface of the green. The present invention integrates or incorporates a compass as an overlying component to a planar substrate that can be used as a ball marker to form a compass ball marker. This device should be made with a small elevation profile. When a golfer places the marker down, he can get an immediate input of the North direction and accordingly which direction is east, west, south, southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, etc. Given prior knowledge of the prevailing wind direction and therefore the direction of putting green surface grass growth, the golfer can then immediate ascertain the direction the grain of the grass is leaning and account for this factor when determining proper aim and impact force of the putt.

That is, at a glance by using the compass ball marker, the golfer is able to adjust his aim taking into consideration the prevailing grain of the grass knowing which direction was say westerly. The inventor herein found immediate results when using this compass ball marker, especially on the putts whereby using the grain of the grass the ball would roll further in a certain direction because the grass tended to lay flatter in that direction. Knowing that the golfer is putting in the direction of the grain of the grass, he would not have to hit the ball as hard as he would have if he did not have this prior information. When putting against the grain of the grass where the tips of the grass would affect the roll of the ball impeding the distance the ball would travel, the golfer would have to adjust the impact with slightly more force applied, that is, knowing he is putting into the grain, he then would putt the ball harder than if he did not know the direction which the grass was growing.

[0005] The compass ball marker helps the golfer become more confident in reading the greens, enabling him to consistently reduce scores by 2 to 3 strokes per game. For people with a higher handicap that tend to 3 putt on a green, the stroke savings could be more than 2 to 3 stokes per match.

[0006] For golfers who play for money in matches, the invention will enhance their ability to win close matches.

[0007] Most golfers will look closely at the greens and fringe grasses. They then try to determine how the grain will affect the roll of the ball. Good golfers through experience and talent usually rely on close observation of the grain of the grass. Some golfers rely on watching how the away player's ball moves when it is on the green. Using the ball marker with compass can quickly give them a bench mark to start from when armed with the knowledge of direction of grass growth.

[0008] The invention is a ball marker with a compass as its face. It would also be constructed with a magnified lens for golfers with a slight visual handicap. Some people with a visual handicap can't see the grain so the compass with magnifying means would be an asset.

[0009] By knowing the direction of the grain on the putting surface using the prevailing grain direction from a Club Professional, this information can be used to help determine the break of the putt and the speed by utilizing the ball marker with an integral compass. Down grain, into the grain or cross grain all helps to determine the break and speed of the green. For example, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the grain in the Bermuda grass tends to grow westerly almost everywhere on the course. In Albany, N.Y., the bent grass tends to grow easterly. By watching the morning weather report, you can learn the wind direction and wind speed.

[0010] A quick glance at your compass ball marker will help you make the appropriate adjustments. Therefore, this device can be your guide, no matter what course you are playing, especially the desert courses where there are no tree references. It also can be manufactured with a magnifying glass for the slightly visually impaired.

[0011] All golfers know that the direction of the grain can dramatically affect the role of the golf ball. Knowing the prevailing direction of the grain on the putting surfaces can cut one, two or three strokes or more off your game. A golfer cannot have too much information and as we all known making a six foot putt counts the same as a three hundred yard drive!

[0012] Using the compass ball marker will quickly give the golfer a bench mark to start from when determining the direction of the grain of the grass. After determination of direction, then the slope of the green and distance will have to be taken into consideration to determine how hard to hit the ball when executing a putt.

[0013] A secondary advantage to the compass ball marker is reading the wind direction. In the morning you can find out which way and how fast the wind is blowing by watching the morning weather report. You can then adjust your drive or any other shot using the compass. For example if the wind is blowing west to east and you are teeing off north you can adjust your stance and direction to hit towards the west so when the wind carries the ball east it will land you more center in the fairway as opposed to pushing it farther east and putting you in the rough.

[0014] Of course, the invention also works as the actual ball marker instead of using a quarter or other marking item.

[0015] The best way to use the invention is when there is a prevailing wind from a known direction during tee off and once you are on the green or the fringe to determine the grain direction before your next golf stroke.

[0016] On the PGA tour, there is a local rule that a ball marker or coin will be used to mark the ball, but the USGA rules state that any small object can be used. With today's technologies, a very low profile compass ball marker could be manufactured and would fit the guidelines of being a small object.

[0017] A stemp meter is a device which is used to determine the distance a ball will travel on a green from a constant elevation and distance. Then the distance the ball travels is measured to determine the slope rating of the green. The longer the distance the ball rolls, the faster the green and the higher the slope rating. The PGA tour players usually play on greens of 10 or higher slope ratings. To test the inventor's herein theory, he used a similar device to get a consistent roll on the ball hence taking out the variables of simply using a putter. The results confirmed his theories as to the benefits of the compass ball marker. Almost all golf courses have a prevailing grain of grass. The compass ball marker can reduce the time needed to determine grain of the grass, thereby helping golfers to make decisions on how to play various courses. Almost all professional golfers agree there is a prevailing grain at the golf courses they play. This information is easily obtained from the golf club professional. With the information the compass ball marker can be of assistance in helping the golfer to make decisions on how to play the golf course.

Check out these figures:

Seems like a pretty good invention, although I have to admit that I doubt it would help my game.

David Dawsey  - Keeping an Eye on Golf Inventions