Would This Golf Invention Really Speed Up Play?

BACKGROUND

Golfers and golf course operators have long been aware of the slow golfer’s negative impact on the flow of play. Golf play typically involves a group of golfers playing a number of holes in a given order. For example, a round of golf typically includes 18 holes that are played in the order determined by the course layout. To facilitate flow around the golf course, only one group is permitted at each hole at any one time. The golf course staggers the start times for the groups of players in an effort to maximize playing efficiency. However, as play progresses, a classic problem arises; the slowest group dictates the pace of play for everyone behind them. The queuing problem creates frustration among players as they wait extended periods of time for the golfers ahead of them to clear a hole. According to a golf digest survey, over three million golfers quit the game each year, and over 50% of those cite frustration over slow play as their reason for quitting.

Slow play adversely affects the game of golf in multiple respects, including decreasing the number of groups that can queue through the course in one day, decreasing golf course revenues, and increasing golf attrition.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A golf facilitating device is disclosed (sometimes herein referred to as “golf club” or “Gimme Club”). The golf club may include a shaft, a club head coupled to the shaft, and a rotatable guiding mechanism coupled to at least one of the shaft and the club head. The guiding mechanism may include at least one guardrail, and a receptacle coupled to the guardrail, wherein the rotatable guiding mechanism facilitates guiding a golf ball between a first position and a second position.

A method of using a golf club is disclosed. The golf club may include a shaft, a club head and a guiding mechanism that is coupled to at least one of the shaft and the club head. The method may include rotating a guiding mechanism between a first position and a second position, wherein the guiding mechanism is substantially parallel to the shaft in the first position and wherein the guiding mechanism is angled with respect to the shaft in the second position.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.