GB2522010A

GB2522010A - Back-friendly device and back-friendly method for the game of golf

Info

Publication number: GB2522010A
Application number: GB1400058.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter J Fitzpatrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-02
Filing date: 2014-01-02
Publication date: 2015-07-15
Also published as: GB201402155D0; GB201400058D0

Abstract

Back-friendly device for the game of golf comprises a ball engagement portion 30 adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball 1 and a release mechanism 20 for releasing the golf ball from the engagement portion by a remote action without requiring the golf player to stoop or bend down. The golf ball may be held by elastic finger-like projections 31 and remotely released through a hand operated cord 40 operating a lever arm 20 adapted to engage and release the ball. The device may also include a golf tee engagement portion adapted to releasably engage a golf tee (2, figure 5D). Accordingly, a golf tee can be placed in the ground and a golf ball can be positioned and released from the ball engagement portion such that it is balanced on the golf tee without stooping of the golf player.

Description

Back-friendly device and back-friendly method for the game of golf

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the game of golf and in particular to devices and procedures delimiting the stress on the golf player' s back associated with bending or stooping movements that are necessary to pick up or place golf balls and golf tees from/on the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The game of golf has become a very popular recreational sporting activity. Not only has the number of golf courses rapidly increased in recent years, but also the clientele the game of golf attracts has diversified considerably. In particular, the game of golf enjoys an increasing popularity with players that are in their senior years.

However, especially for players in their senior years, the game, which may involve 18 holes, can be very strenuous. In particular, the bending or stooping movement that will be necessary each time when a golf ball needs to be placed or picked up, or when a golf tee has to be placed or picked up, will incur certain stresses to the golf player' s back.

Especially for players in their senior years, this stress might generate pain every time a ball has to be retrieved from the green' s cups or placed on the green, or every time a tee has to be set and a ball has to be placed on the tee.

Therefore, devices are needed that support the golf player with these tasks and that enable golf balls and golf tees to be placed and retrieved without bending or stooping.

According to the prior art, devices are known, with which it is possible to pick up a golf ball without bending down.

Typically, these devices comprise an engagement element -usually in the form of a suction cup -that is mounted on a pole or the like. If a roundish object shall be retrieved from the ground, the engagement element is simply pushed over the roundish element such that the suction cup holds the roundish object. Accordingly, with such devices, spherical objects can be picked up without requiring to bend down. Wa 2005/049152 Al discloses a such golf ball retriever.

However, in a normal game of golf, it is not only required to retrieve a golf ball once in a while, it is also required to precisely place a golf ball on the green. In addition, it is required to stick golf tees into the ground and to put a golf ball onto the ball support of the golf tee. While pick-up devices according to the prior art are certainly suited to pick up golf balls, they cannot provide any support when it comes to place a golf ball and to place and/or retrieve a golf tee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device and a corresponding procedure that can facilitate the retrieving and placing procedure of a golf ball, as well as of a golf tee, and that in particular limit the requirement for the golf player to bend down or to stoop during a normal game of golf.

In order to solve the problem outlined above, the devices according to the invention do not only need to provide means for picking up golf balls or holding golf tees, but also means to release them again. A principle idea of the present invention is that these means can be actuated by a remote action. Remote action in this context means that, for instance, a golf ball may be placed onto the green with the help of a mechanism that is actuated by a golf player that stands upright, i.e. is not stooping or bending. Thereby, a preferred way is that the devices according to the invention can be mounted to a golf club (or other shaft of similar length) that, on the one hand, has the right length to ensure an upright posture of the golf player and, on the other hand, is carried along by the golf player anyway. Alternatively a dedicated shaft based device could be provided of suitable length to allow a golf ball to be picked up und placed and/or to allow a golf tee to be placed and optionally also picked up by remote action from an upright standing orientation.

According to the invention, a back-friendly device for the game of golf comprises a ball engagement portion adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball, and a release mechanism to release the golf ball from engagement with the engagement mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is adapted to be actuated by a remote action.

Accordingly, the back-friendly device according to the invention may have two essential components, namely an engagement portion to retrieve the ball and a corresponding release mechanism in order to release the ball again, both of which can be actuated by a remote action. With these features, it can be ascertained that the golf player does not need to bend down when it comes to retrieve or place a golf ball. "Remote action" in this case can comprise various actuation mechanisms adapted to allow remote release of a golf ball at ground level by a user operating the device by hand from an upright standing position. For instance, the release mechanism can be triggered by a mechanical actuation such as via a piece of string, wire or rod, or a combination of coil springs and corresponding engagement elements.

Alternatively, it would be conceivable to use an electromagnetic switch that cooperates with a spring or the like in order to release the golf ball. However, the release mechanism is preferably implenented mechanically. The ball engagement portion may be configured such that a golf ball can be brought into engagement with the ball engagement portion, by pushing the ball engagement portion over the golf ball.

Preferably, the back-friendly device for the game of golf further comprises a mounting portion adapted to be fitted to the hand-holding end of a golf club or other shaft based device of a length allowing the golf ball to be placed and released from an upright standing orientation.

This means that the golf club, which is anyway provided at the green, or any other shaft based device can conveniently be used as an extension for the use of the back-friendly device according to the invention. In order to mount the device to the hand-holding end of a golf club or any other shaft based device, the device preferably has a hollow cylindrical element that snugly fits over the gripping piece of a golf club or over a shaft carryable in a golf bag, e.g., of a length and diameter similar to the shaft of a golf club.

Alternatively, both the back-friendly device and the hand-holding end of the golf club may be provided with compatible engagement elements. As an alternative to mount the back-friendly device on a golf club, the back-friendly device on its own may be provided with an adequate extension, e.g., a shaft of a device of sufficient length that allows deploying the device without bending or stooping.

Preferably, the ball engagement portion comprises a plurality of finger-like protrusions extending at different positions from the edge at one end of the main body of the back friendly device, wherein the finger-like protrusions are adapted to deform elastically, the average distance between the tip ends of the finger-like protrusions facing each other across one end of the main body is less than the diameter of a golf ball, and the main body of the back-friendly device and the protrusions are configured such that a golf ball can be held by the finger-like protrusions.

In this context, the passage "the main body of the back-friendly device and the protrusions are configured such that a golf ball can be held by the finger-like protrusions" especially means that behind the finger-like protrusions (behind the tip ends of the finger-like protrusion; within the space that is enclosed by the finger like protrusions and the main body of the device) there is enough empty space in order to accommodate a golf ball. This either means that the finger-like protrusions are long enough (if they protrude in the longitudinal direction of the device) and/or that the device is hollow or has a cavity, which is dimensioned such that it can accommodate the golf ball behind the finger-like protrusions. In order to firmly hold the golf ball, the golf ball preferably has to be accommodated to at least 50% in the space behind the finger-like protrusions. In other words this carl mean that the tips of the finger-like protrusions (in the state in which the golf ball is accommodated) have to reach at least the equatorial line of the golf ball.

Concerning the dimensions of the protrusions, it is preferable that the average distance between the tip ends of t:-ie finger-like protrusions facing each other across one end of the main body of the back-friendly device is more than half the diameter of the golf ball. Together with the requirement that that average distance is less than the diameter of a golf ball, this means that the golf ball can readily be engaged with the ball engagement portion by pushing the ball engagement portion over the golf ball. A precondition for this is that the finger-like protrusions are elastic. When the ball engagement portion is pushed over the golf ball, the finger-like protrusions deflect until the golf ball is taken up by the ball engagement portion (i.e. is accommodated to more than 50 % in a space between the finger-like protrusions).

S

Accordingly, golf balls can be picked up simply by pushing the ball engagement portion over the golf ball. This means that picking up the golf ball can conveniently be done by just holding onto the golf club or any other like dimensioned shaft on which the back-friendly device is mounted (i.e. remotely). Further, the usage of elastically deformable finger-like protrusions makes it possible to readily release the golf ball that has been picked up by the ball engagement portion.

In other words this means that the ball engagement portion and also the engagement direction (i.e. the direction along which the device is moved relative to the golf ball in order to engage the golf ball with the ball engagement portion) are in parallel to the long axis of the back-friendly device and/or in parallel with the shaft/the golf club the back friendly device is mounted to. This arrangement is especially preferable, if a golf ball needs to be retrieved from a cup.

Preferably, the release mechanism is a lever arm. In an embodiment a lever arm is pivotally attached to the main body of the back-friendly device and one end of the lever arm is arranged such that it is able to come into contact with a golf ball held by the finger-like-protrusions when the lever arm pivots and to push the golf ball out of engagement with the finger-like protrusions when actuated by a remote action.

In a further preferred embodiment one end of the lever arm protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the main body and the other end is arranged such that it is able to come into contact with a golf ball engaged with the ball engagement portion when the lever pivots. Thereby, the lever arm is adapted to push the golf ball out of engagement with the ball engagement portion when actuated by a remote action.

Using such lever mechanism, a golf ball engaged in the ball engagement portion can conveniently be released by means of a simple fail-safe mechanism.

One way to actuate the lever arm preferably involves actuation by a string, wire or other rod that is attached to the one end of the lever arm. As an alternative, the lever arm may also be actuated by an integrated mechanism that is provided inside an especially adapted golf club or other like dimensioned shaft device. For instance, a combination of springs, actuation rods and engagement mechanisms would be conceivable to remotely actuate the release mechanism. As yet a further alternative, the lever arm might also be remotely actuated by an electromagnetic switch that can be provided inside the back-friendly device. The back-friendly device according to the invention may also provide the possibility to manually remove a golf ball from the ball engagement portion, once it has been retrieved.

Concerning the finger-like protrusions, there are at least two geometries that are most preferable. The finger-like protrusions may either protrude in the lateral direction from the main body of the back-friendly device or in the radial direction of the main body of the back-friendly device. In the latter case, since the back-friendly device has to accommodate the golf ball, this requires that the back-friendly devices is hollow or has at least a cavity that is large enough to accommodate the golf ball in the empty space behind the finger-like protrusions. Further, concerning the latter case, the requirement that the average distance between the tip ends of the finger-like protrusions facing each other across one end of the main body is less than the diameter of the golf ball, implies that the finger-like protrusions protrude radially inward.

Concerning the geometry of the finger-like protrusions, it is preferable that the longitudinal cross section of the finger-0 8 like protrusions is either a circular arc or straight.

Especially in the case of a circular arc-like cross section, a golf ball engaged with the ball engagement portion can be held safely.

Especially if straight finger-like protrusions are used, it is further preferable that the finger-like protrusions have a bulged portion at the tip end that is bulged out towards the space between the finger-like protrusions. In that case, the bulged portion engages with the golf ball taken up by the back-friendly device. This means that the golf ball can be firmly held by the ball engagement portion.

Further, it is preferable that the finger-like protrusions are integrally formed with the main body of the back-friendly device. In terms of the material, it is preferable that the finger-like protrusions are formed of a material that is sufficiently elastic, such as resin, pliable plastic or metal compounds or any other material that does not fracture from repeated deformations.

In order to firmly hold on to the taken up golf ball, the number of the finger-like protrusion is at least 3 and preferably S to 6.

In order to more securely hold the golf ball, the back-friendly device may further comprise an abutment portion against which the golf ball held by the ball engagement portion rests.

This abutment portion can either be the bottom of the main body, from which the finger-like protrusions protrude, or a partition wall arranged within the -then hollow -main body of the back-friendly device. In this case, the partition wall is a 90°-cross-wall for strength. Alternatively, especially if the partition wall has a portal adapted to accommodate the release mechanism, the abutmeitt portion may also be the rim 0 9 of the portal. Alternatively, the abutment portion may also be constituted by the other end of the lever arm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the back-friendly device for the game of golf comprises a tee engagement portion that can releasably engage with the ball support of a golf tee and allows the tee to be placed by a user from an upright standing position.

Accordingly, the tee extends from a distal end of the shaft/the main body of the back friendly device, with the pointed end of the tee being most distal.

This enables, that a golf tee can be placed and optionally retrieved by a golf player via the back-friendly device, without incurring stress to the player' s back.

Thereby it is again preferable that the back-friendly device comprises a mounting portion that is adapted to be fitted to the hand-holding end of a golf club or other shaft like device of sufficient dimensions. Alternatively, the back-friendly device may be provided with a shaft like extension of sufficient length.

This enables that the back-friendly devices can conveniently be used such that stooping movements of the golf player are largely eliminated in the process of placing a tee on the ground. With the mounting portion, the back-friendly device can make use of a golf club that is anyway available and the back-friendly device can conveniently be carried within a side bag of the golf bag.

In order to facilitate the placing action of a golf tee, in the course of which the tee has to be stuck into the ground, the back-friendly device preferably further comprises an abutment portion, against which the top surface of the ball support of the golf tee (the head of the golf tee) is supported such that the golf tee is vertically constrained, when the golf tee is engaged with the tee engagement portion.

In this case, "vertically" relates to a direction along the tee, i.e. from the tip of the tee to the ball support of the golf tee. Thus, the vertical direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the device, Being vertically constrained, the golf tee can conveniently be stuck into the ground without requiring the user to bend down.

Preferably, the golf tee can be engaged with and released from the tee engagement portion by a remote action. This remote action may again be either mechanical or electromagnetic. Most preferably, however, the remote action involves a horizontal or lateral movement of the back friendly device. That is, the release (and also the take up) is effected by moving tee engagement portion. In this case, "horizontal" means a direction parallel to the green or to the ground of a teeing off area. The horizontal or lateral movement can be effected by moving the golf club or a similarly dimensioned shaft, the back friendly device is attached to, or a sufficiently long shaft like component the back friendly device is provided with, while the user stands in an upright position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tee engagement portion of the Back-friendly device comprises a recess or a cut out wherein the recess or cut out tapers such that the width of the recess or cut out narrows from an width larger than the largest diameter of the ball support of a golf tee to a width smaller than largest diameter of the ball support the golf tee.

More specifically, the back-friendly device for the game of golf may comprise a preferably hollow cylinder, one end of which being bottomed the recess or cut out being provided in the bottom of the cylinder, the recess or cut out extending form the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder towards the center of the bottom, and the recess or cut out tapering from the side of the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder towards the center of the bottom.

Accordingly, the golf tee can be taken up by placing the recess with its wider portion onto the ball support of the golf tee and by sliding the recess with respect to the golf tee such that the ball support of the golf tee "wedges in" in the recess. Adversely, the golf tee can be released either manually by pushing the golf tee out of the recess, or by placing the golf tee into the ground and then moving the back-friendly device (the golf club) in a horizontal direction. This mechanism is very effective when it comes to placing a golf tee without involving a stooping movement and at the same time is highly fail-proof.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the abutment portion may be a partition wall that is arranged in the cylinder at a given distance to and in parallel with the bottom of the cylinder. Thereby, the distance between the partition wall and the bottom is configured such that the top surface of *the ball support of the golf tee abuts against the partition wall, when the golf tee is in engagement with the tee engagement portion of the back-friendly device.

Accordingly, the partition wall fulfills the requirements of an abutment portion and at the same time can contribute to the stability of the entire device. Preferably, the partition wall is a 900 cross wall for strength.

Preferably, the back-friendly device according to the second aspect of the present invention further comprises a resilient mat that is provided between the tee engagement portion and the abutment portion.

Thereby, the resilient mat urges the golf tee against the abutment portion, thereby rendering the insertion of the golf tee into the recess more convenient. In addition, the golf tee can be held more firmly within the tee engagement portion, and the back-friendly device can more conveniently be used with different golf tees of various sizes.

According to yet a third aspect of the present invention, a back-friendly device for the game of golf is provided that comprises an ball engagement portion adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball, and a tee engagement portion adapted to releasably engage with a golf tee, and that further comprises a mechanism that can be actuated by a remote action being able to release the golf ball and/or the golf tee from the engagement with the ball engagement portion.

Accordingly, with the third aspect a device is provided, with which both, a golf ball and a golf tee, can be retrieved and released. Such device can for instance consist of a plurality of finger-like protrusions that are able to engage with a golf ball and that at the same time are provided at such distances from one another that they can hold a golf tee in the recesses between the individual finger-like protrusions.

Accordingly, with such an arrangement it is possible to further decrease the number of pieces of equipment.

For the back-friendly device according to the third aspect of the present invention it is preferable that the mechanism is further adapted to abut against the top surface of the golf tee engaged with the tee engagement portion such that the golf tee is vertically constrained.

Again, the fact that the golf tee is vertically constrained enables that the golf tee can conveniently be stuck into the ground.

Further, it is again preferred that the back-friendly device comprises a mounting portion that is adapted to be fitted to the hand holding end of a golf club or a similarly shaped shaft like device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises an abutment element that is urged towards the engagement portion by an urging member and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is able to fix the abutment element in an advanced position in order to vertically constrain the golf tee engaged with the engagement portion, to advance the abutment element from a retracted portion in order to release the golf ball from the engagement with the engagement portion, and to acquire a neutral position in order to allow the free displacement of the abutment element. All these actions of the actuation mechanism can be put into execution by a remote action.

Since the abutment element can be fixed in an advanced position, it can be ensured that the golf tee is vertically constrained when it is engaged with the engagement portion.

This again facilitates to stick the golf tee into the ground.

With the advancement of the abutment element from the retracted position, the golf ball that is engaged with the engagement portion can conveniently be released.

Further, since the actuation mechanism can require a neutral position, it does noes interfere with the movement of the abutment element that is necessary if a golf ball shall be taken up by the back-friendly device. In this case, if the back-friendly device is pushed over the golf ball, the abutment element (that abuts with the golf ball) is brought into a retracted position. All these procedures do not require the golf player to stoop or bend down.

Preferably, the actuation mechanism is yet again a lever arm, a center portion of which is pivotally supported by the main 0 14 body of the back-friendly device. In addition, one end of the lever is connected to the abutment element and the other end of the lever protrudes from the main body. The remote action involves an actuation via a string, a wire, or a transmission rod connected to the other end of the lever.

The back friendly device of the third aspect thus comprises systems of the devices according to the first and second aspects.

Again the lever arm in combination with a string attached to the lever constitutes a very simple and effective mechanism to release the golf ball and at the same time to vertically constrain the golf tee.

In general the back-friendly device according to aspects one to three can be either be mounted to a golf club or a shaft like object appropriately dimensioned to ensure that the player does not need to bend down or stoop when deploying the back-friendly device. In addition, the back friendly device also can comprise a shaft that of sufficient length.

Specifically, the back friendly device according to a preferred embodiment may comprise one or more shafts having the tee engagement portion and/or the ball engagement portion at one end and a user hand operated actuator for actuating the release mechanism to release the golf ball at the other end. Thereby, the one or more shafts are of a length such that the golf tee can be placed in the ground, the ball can be released onto the tee at ground level with the user hand operated actuator operated remotely by a user grasping the other end from an upright standing position.

According to another preferred embodiment, the back-friendly device may comprise a first shaft for the tee engagement portion and a second shaft for the ball engagement portion, or one shaft with the tee engagement portion and the ball engagement portion mounted at opposite shaft ends.

Using the devices according to the aforementioned aspects of the invention, a back-friendly procedure for the game of golf is provided, the procedure involving the steps of: placing a golf tee in the ground with a back-friendly device; placing a golf ball with respect to the golf tee, and releasing the golf ball such that the golf ball is balanced on the golf tee placed into the ground; wherein the steps are carried out by a remote action without stooping of the golf player, as provided for by the back-friendly device or devices.

The advantage of this procedure clearly is that the back of a golf player is unburdened which means that especially players in their senior years can exercise the game of golf without maj or limitations.

The procedure further can comprises the step of mounting the back-friendly devices to the hand holding end of a golf club.

Although this step is very convenient in terms of effective usage of equipment that is anyway necessary to exercise the sport, it is also conceivable to alternatively provide the back-friendly devices on the end! the ends of.a separate shaft like object that is exclusively meant as support or extension for the back-friendly devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures lÀ to lD are schematic representations of a first embodiment of a back friendly device according to the present invention, wherein Figure lA is a perspective view of the back-friendly device, Figure lB is a top view and Figures 1C and lID are a sectional views.

Figures 2A and 2B are schematic representations of a second embodiment of a back friendly device according to the present invention, wherein Figure 2A is a perspective view of the back-friendly device and Figure 2B is a top view.

Figures 3A to 3C are schematic representations of a third embodiment of a back friendly device according to the present invention, wherein Figure 3A is a perspective view of the back-friendly device, Figure 3B is a top view and Figure 3C is a sectional view.

Figures 4A to 4C are schematic representations of a fourth embodiment of a back friendly device according to the present invention, wherein Figure 4A is a perspective view of the back-friendly device, Figure 4B is a top view and Figure 4C is a sectional view.

Figures SA to SE are schematic representations of the back-friendly device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure SA is a perspective partially cut-away view, Figure SB is a top view, and Figures Sc to SE are sectional views that illustrate different positions of an abutment element.

Figures 6A to 6C are perspective views that illustrate a mounting portion of the back-friendly devices and back-friendly devices provided with an extension in the shape of a shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

In the following five preferred embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the drawings. Components that are similar among the embodiments are provided with the same reference numerals and, where appropriate, a repeated detailed description of these components is omitted.

Distinct features of the described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. On the other hand, other features can also be omitted from the embodiments.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

In the following, a first preferred embodiment of the back-friendly device according to the present invention is described with reference to Figures 1A to in.

As can be inferred from Figure 1A, the back-friendly device for the game of golf according to the first embodiment comprises a hollow cylindrical main body 10.

Further, the back-friendly device according to the first embodiment comprises five finger-like protrusions 30 as ball engagement portion that protrude from the top edge 12 of the cylindrical body 10 in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 10. within the finger-like protrusions 30 and the hollow cylindrical body 10 an empty space is defined that is large enough to accommodate a golf ball 1 (see Figure lC) . Here and in the following "top end of the back-friendly device" relates to the end of the back-friendly device where the ball engagement portion is provided. The opposite end of the back friendly device in the longitudinal direction will be referred to as "back end of the back-friendly device".

In a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 10, the finger-like protrusions 30 have an approximately circular arc shape with a thickness preferably of about 2 mm.

Since the finger-like protrusions protrude from the top edge 12 of the cylindrical body at different, preferably equally spaced positions along the circumference of the top edge 12, the finger-like protrusions define a dome-shaped cavity or empty space. At the top end of the back-friendly device, the dome-shaped cavity is bounded by the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusions.

When viewed from the top (Figure lE), the average distance between the tip ends 31 of finger-like protrusions facing each other across the cylindrical body 10 is less than the diameter of a golf ball 1. In other words this means that the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusions 31 lay on a circle with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the golf ball 1.

Accordingly, at the top end side of the cylindrical body 10, the empty space within the finger-like protrusions 30 is bounded by the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusions. In the other direction, i.e. towards the bottom end of the back-friendly device, the empty space is bounded by an abutment portion 60. In the present case, this abutment portion has an approximately circular portal 61 and a recess to accommodate a lever arm 20 (to be described later) . In other words, the abutment portion is a 900 partition wall inside of the hollow cylindrical body 10.

In practice, a golf ball 1 that has been picked up by the back-friendly device rests against the rim 61 of the abutment portion 60 and the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusions 30 (Figure lC). Accordingly, both, the abutment portion and the finger-like protrusions 30, have to be adapted such that the golf ball 1 can safely be accommodated and held within the empty space defined by the finger-like protrusions. It is generally favorable that at least 60% to 70% of the golf ball 1 is comprised within the empty space.

The minimal requirement to hold the golf ball 1 within the finger-like protrusions 30 is that the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusion 30 reach at least or marginally beyond the equatorial line of the golf ball 1 accommodated in the empty space. This also sets the minimal length that the finger-like protrusions need to have.

Then it comes to pick up a golf ball 1, the finger-like protrusions 30 are simply pushed over the golf ball 1. To this end, the finger-like protrusions 30 are elastic such that they can deflect in a radial direction away from the golf ball 1. When the golf ball 1 is accommodated in the empty space within the finger-like protrusions 30, the finger-like protrusions 30 flex back and securely hold on to the golf ball.

In order to facilitate the pick-up procedure by pushing the back-friendly device over the golf ball 1, it is preferable that the average distance between the tip ends 31 of the finger-like protrusions 30 facing each other across the cylindrical body 10 (see Figure 1B) is more than half the diameter of the golf ball.

To attain the desired flexibility of the finger-like protrusions 30, any elastic material can be used that does not fracture even when it has to sustain repeated deformation cycles. Therefore, in particular a pliable plastic material is preferable. This also offers the possibility to integrally form the finger-like protrusions 30 together with the main body 10 of the back-friendly device.

The elasticity of the finger-like protrusions 30 not only enables to pick up a golf ball by simply pushing the back-friendly device over the golf ball, but it also offers the possibility to readily release the golf ball 1 again. For instance, this can be done simply by manually pushing the golf ball 1, out of the finger-like protrusions 30.

In addition, the back-friendly device according to the first embodiment comprises a release mechanism that can release the golf ball 1 from the engagement with the finger-like protrusions 30 by a so-called remote action. Remote action in this case means any action that can be carried out without requiring the golf player to stoop. According to the first embodiment, the release mechanism is a lever arm 20 that is pivotally attached to the top edge 12 of the cylindrical body (Figures 1A and 1C).

The pivotable attachment of the lever arm 20 to the cylindrical body can, for instance, be carried out by providing the lever arm 20 and the cylindrical body 10 with appropriately designed knobs and corresponding lugs. As an especially economic alternative, the pivotable attachment can also be a plastic hinge that is integrally formed with the lever arm 20 and the cylindrical body 10.

In any case, the lever arm 20 comprises one end 21 that can come into contact with a golf ball 1 that is held by the finger-like protrusion 30. Accordingly, if the other end 22 is pulled towards the back end of the back-friendly device, the one end 21 pivots towards the top end of the back friendly device. Thereby the golf ball 1 is pushed out of the finger-like protrusions 30.

The lever arm 20 can be straight (Figure lC) or angled (Figure 1D). As it is shown in Figure 1D an angled lever arm may be formed such that the one and 21 abuts against the middle portion of the golf ball 1. This arrangement allows for a force exertion by the lever arm 20 in a very defined way. This is especially beneficial, when the golf ball shall accurately be placed on a golf tee, for instance.

The lever arm 20 can conveniently be actuated by a remote action, for instance, by attaching a string 40 to the other end 22 of the lever arm 20. -As for the dimensions of the back-friendly device, the inner diameter of the cylindrical body is larger than the diameter of the golf ball. This allows to readily accommodate the golf ball within the interior space of the cylindrical body. The finger-like protrusions are approximately 3 cm long and the material thickness is of the order of 2 mm.

In addition, the back-friendly device may comprise a mounting portion SO that is adapted to be fitted to the hand holding end of a golf club or a designated shaft 90 of similar length and diameter. In the simplest case, this mounting portion is a cylindrical tube-like structure SO that is fitted into the bottom end of the back-friendly device. Thereby, as illustrated in Figures GA and GB, the diameter of the cylindrical tube is such that it firmly fits over the gripping piece 9 of the golf club 8 or the end of the shaft 90.

Accordingly, the golf club/the shaft can be used as extension to operate the back-friendly device. As an alternative the back-friendly device can be provided with a shaft-like extension 80 of sufficient length (Figure SC) or two back friendly devices can be arranged at the opposite ends of a common shaft (Figure SC) Altogether the back-friendly device according to the first embodiment offers a convenient way to retrieve a golf ball from the green and to release it again in a highly defined manner without recpiring the golf player to stoop or bend down. Thus, the back-friendly device according to the first embodiment can provide a great deal of support, especially for golf players in their senior years.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Figures 2A to 2C show a second embodiment of the present invention.

The main difference between the first and the second embodiment is that 1) the cylindrical body 110 is slightly smaller than the diameter of a golf ball (preferably the diameter is such that the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body fits over the hand-holding end of the golf club B or the shaft 90) and 2) the finger-like protrusions 130 are essentially straight with bulged-out tip ends 131.

The finger-like protrusions 130 protrude from the top edge 112 of the cylindrical body 110 such that they slightly project radially outwards of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110. Thus, the arrangement of the finger-like protrusions can appropriately be described as a crown-like arrangement (see Figures 2A and 2B) Accordingly, a golf ball that is engaged with the finger-like protrusions 130 is held by the bulged portions 131 while being in abutment with the top edge 112 of the cylindrical body 110 and one end 21 of the lever arm 20.

Apart from the slightly different configuration of the finger-like protrusions 130 and the diameter of the cylindrical body 110, the other components, such as the lever arm 20 and the mounting portion 50, are similar to the first embodiment.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

Schematic representations of the third embodiment are shown in Figures 3A to 3C.

According to the third embodiment, the back-friendly device for the game of golf comprises a hollow cylindrical body 210, the inner diameter of which is sufficiently large to fully accommodate a golf ball 1 in its interior space. On the top edge 212, the back-friendly device according the third embodiment comprises a plurality of finger-like protrusions 230 that protrude radially inward from the top edge 212. In other words this means that the protrusions 230 are in a 90°-angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 210. Thereby, the tip ends 231 of the finger-like protrusions 230 are arranged such that the average distance of the tip ends of finger-like protrusions facing each other across the cylindrical body 210 is less than the diameter of a golf ball.

Since the finger-like protrusions 230 are again elastic, the basic functioning principle of the back-friendly device according to the third embodiment is still the same as in the first and second embodiment. In order to engage a golf ball 1 with the ball engagement portion constituted by the finger-like protrusions 230, it is sufficient to simply push the back-friendly device over the golf ball 1. Doing that, the finger-like protrusions will elastically deform until the golf ball 1 is fully accommodated in the empty space behind the finger-like protrusions 230. After that, due to their elasticity, the finger-like protrusions 230 can flex back to hold the golf ball within the cylindrical body.

In order to release the golf ball 1, also the back-friendly device according to the third embodiment comprises a lever arm 20. In contrast to the ernLodiment 1 and 2, the lever arm in the third embodiment is accommodated in a recess 270 formed in the shell of the cylindrical body 210. Thereby, the lever 20 is arranged such that the golf ball 1 accommodated in the cylindrical body abuts against the one end 21 of the lever arm 20. The other end 22 of the lever arm 20 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical body 210. Since a center portion of the lever arm 20 is again hingedly attached to the cylindrical body 210, the golf ball 1 can be released by pushing the other end 22 of the lever arm 20 towards the back end of the back-friendly device.

Again this can be done by a remote action, for instance, by means of a string 40 or any other suitable mechanism.

Also the back-friendly device according to the third embodiment may have a mounting portion 50 that is preferably integrally formed at the back end of the device.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

Figures 4A to 4C show schematic representations of a fourth embodiment of a back-friendly device according to the present invention.

While embodiments 1 to 3 were especially concerned about picking up and placing a golf ball, the fourth embodiment relates to the problem of picking up and placing a golf tee.

As can be inferred from Figure 4C, for instance, a golf tee 2 comprises a needle-like portion S that is to be stuck into the ground and a ball support portion 3 that has a surface 4 onto which a golf ball 3. can be placed.

According to the fourth embodiment, the back-friendly device yet again comprises a cylindrical body 310 that has a bottom 312. The bottom 312 comprises a recess 320 that serves as an tee engagement portion to releasably engage with the ball support of a golf tee.

In particular, as can be inferred from Figure 4B, the recess 320 tappers from the side of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 310 towards the center of the bottom 312 such that the width of the recess 320 narrows from a width larger to a width smaller than the largest diameter of the ball support of the golf tee 2.

Accordingly, a golf tee 2 can be simply picked up by inserting the ball support 3 of the golf tee 2 into the recess 320. Thus, engaging and disengaging of the golf tee 2 with the engagement portion 320 can conveniently be done by a side-ways movement (a horizontal movement) of the back-friendly device with respect to the golf tee 2.

In order to facilitate the task of sticking the golf tee 2 into the ground, the back-friendly device according to the fourth embodiment comprises an abutment portion 313 that is a partition wall arranged inside the hollow cylindrical body 310 (in a 90°-angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 310). The distance between the bottom 312 and the partition wall 313 is set such that the ball supporting surface 4 of the golf tee 2 abuts against and is supported by the partition wall 313 when the ball support 3 of the golf tee 2 is engaged with the recess 320.

Accordingly, when the ball support 3 of the golf tee 2 is engaged with the recess 310, the golf tee 2 is constrained in a vertical direction of the gclf tee 2 (in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 310).

To facilitate the insertion procedure and the stability of the arrangement when the ball support 3 is wedged into the recess 320, the back-friendly device according to the fourth embodiment may additionally be provided with a resilient mat 314 that is arranged between the bottom 312 and the partition wall 313. Thereby, the mat 314 is configured such that it can readily be compressed by placing a golf tee in the recess. In the process of engaging the tee 2 with the recess 320 (by moving the back-friendly device side-ways with respect to the tee), the resilient mat urges the golf tee against the edges of the recess 320. This not only enhances the stability of the procedure but also may help to adapt the device for golf tees with different dimensions. Specifically, also ball supports that are less thick can securely be held by the recess.

In order to further facilitate the insertion/the release of the golf tee 2, the recess or cut-out may have beveled or chamfered edges, and/or the outer cover of the bottom 312 may have a bevel or chamfer at the groove where the inverted tee enters and exits the device.

In order to place and retrieve a golf tee with a "remote action", also the back-friendly device according to the fourth embodiment may have a mounting portion 50 that can be engaged with the hand holding end 9 of a golf club 8 or an end of an appropriately designed shaft. Similar to the previous embodiments, the device may also be provided with its own shaft -that can be integrally formed with the actual back-friendly device. Accordingly, the remote action involves a pushing movement via the golf club 8/the shaft 90 in order to stick the golf tee into the ground and/or a horizontal movement of the golf club 8/the shaft 90 in order to pick up or release the golf tee 2. Accordingly, with the back-friendly device according to the fourth embodiment, golf tees 2 can be placed and retrieved without requiring the golf player to stoop or bend down.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

Figures 5A to 5E schematically illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The fifth embodiment partly can be regarded as a combination of the third and fourth embodiment. Accordingly, the fifth embodiment relates to a back-friendly device that is adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball 1 and/ or a golf tee 2.

In addition, it comprises a mechanism 20, 460 that can be actuated by a remote action and that is adapted to release the golf ball 1 from engagement with the engagement portion 430 and that may be further adapted to abut against the top surface 4 of the golf tee 2 engaged with the engagement portion 430, 432 such that the golf tee 2 is vertically constrained.

In particular, the engagement portion comprises a plurality of finger-like protrusions 430 that (just like in the third embodiment) protrude radially inward from the top edge 412 of the hollow cylindrical body 410 of the back-friendly device.

In contrast to the third embodiment, however, the finger-like protrusions 430 are arranged and configured such that they form a defined recess 432 between neighboring protrusions 430. As can be inferred from Figure SB, the recesses 432 are configured similarly to the recess 320 that is provided at the bottom 312 of the back-friendly device according to the fourth embodiment. This means that the recesses 432 tapper in a direction radially outwards (with respect to the cylindrical body 410) to a width smaller than the largest diameter of the ball support of the golf tee. Accordingly, a golf tee 1 can be wedged within the recesses 432 between the finger-like protrusions 430.

In addition, the finger-like protrusions 430 are again provided with a certain elasticity such that a golf ball 1 can be accommodated within the interior space of the hollow cylindrical body 410. Thereby, the functioning principle of picking up the golf ball 1 is similar to the take-up procedure described in connection with the third embodiment.

Thus, the finger-like protrusions 430 according to the fifth embodiment fulfill two tasks, namely to hold a golf tee 2 within the recesses 432 between neighboring protrusions 430 and to provide an engagement mechanism that allows to take up a golf ball 1. To this end, it is beneficial that the resilience of the finger-like protrusions decreases towards the tip ends 432 of the finger-like protrusions 430.

In order to release a golf ball 1 that is accommodated behind the finger like protrusions and in order to vertically constrain a golf tee 2 that is held in any of the recesses 0 28 432, a mechanism 20, 460 is provided that can be actuated by a remote action.

According to the fifth embodiment, this mechanism comprises an abutment element 460 that is moveable and that is urged towards the engagement portion by an urging member 417. In the present case, this urging member 417 is a coil spring.

Thus, the abutment element 460 can adopt various positions within the hollow cylindrical body 410. For instance, it can acquire a maximally advanced position in which it abuts against the finger-like protrusions (Figure SC). In this position the coils spring is in its maximally relaxed state.

Further, it can acquire an slightly retracted position (Figure SB) in which the abutment element 460 is spaced apart from the finger-like protrusions 430 by a predetermined distance such that the surface 4 of the ball support 3 of a golf tee 2 abuts against the abutment element when a golf tee 2 is inserted in the recess 432. Finally, the abutment element 460 can acquire a retracted position (Figure 5E) that leaves enough empty space between the abutment element 460 and the finger-like protrusions 430 to accommodate a golf ball 1. These three positions are illustrated in Figures SC to SE.

The abutment element 460 preferably is a plate-like cylindrical element that fits into the interior space of the hollow cylindrical body 410. It is arranged such that its main surfaces are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 410. Further, the dimensions of the abutment element 460 are set such that it can be freely moved in the interior space of the hollow cylindrical body without jamming with the interior wall of the hollow cylindrical body 410. The urging force of the urging element 417 is set such that the abutment element can readily be displaced when the back-friendly device is pushed over a golf ball 1 in order to take up the golf ball 1 or when a golf tee is inserted in one of the recesses 432.

In order to move the abutment element 460 from the retracted position to the slightly retracted position and in order to hold the abutment element in the slightly retracted position, the mechanism further comprises an actuation mechanism 20. As can be inferred from Figure SA to SE, this actuation mechanism again preferably comprises a lever ann 20. Like in the third embodiment, this lever is arranged within a recess 470 that is formed in the shell of the hollow cylindrical body 410. One end 21 of the lever 20 is connected to the abutment element. Thereby, this connection, the abutment element 460, and the lever arm 20 are configured such that they provide enough maneuvering space for allowing the abutment element 460 to be displaced from the retracted position to the slightly retracted position.

Again, the lever 20 is hingedly attached to the cylindrical body 410 (at the recess 432). The other end 22 of the lever arm 20 protrudes from the shell of the cylindrical body 410.

By means of an actuation of the other end 22, the abutment element 460 can now be conveniently displaced from the retracted position to any advanced position. Thereby, the actuation can again be carried out by a remote action, preferably by means of a string 40 that is attached to the other end 22 of the lever arm 20.

In Figures Sc to SE, three configurations are illustrated that correspond to different operation conditions of the back-friendly device according to the fifth embodiment. In Figure sc, the abutment element is in its foremost position.

The string 40 is not strained. In this position, the back-friendly device is ready to either take up a golf ball 1 by being pushed over the golf ball 1 or to take up a golf tee 2, by engaging the ball support 3 of the golf tee 2 with one of the recesses 432.

If a golf tee 1 had been inserted into one of the recesses 432, the abutment element 460 is slightly displaced into a slightly retracted position (Figure SD). In order to place the golf tee into the ground, the string 40 can now be strained such that the abutment element 460 is fixed in the slightly retraced position. Accordingly, the golf tee 2 is vertically constrained and sticking the golf tee 2 into the ground can be facilitated.

If a golf ball 1 is accommodated within the hollow cylindrical body 410 behind the finger-like protrusions 430, the abutment element 460 is in its retracted position. In order to release the golf ball 1 from the back-friendly device again, the golf player just would need to apply a certain tension onto the string 40, which causes the lever 20 to pivot. This pushes the abutment element 460 towards the advanced position again and releases the golf ball from the back-friendly device.

The provision of the urging element 417 thereby helps to safely hold the golf ball and enables to accommodate golf tees 2 of various different sizes in the recesses 432.

Also the back-friendly device according to the fifth embodiment comprises a mounting portion 50 that enables to mount the back-friendly device onto the hand-holding end of a golf club 8 or a similarly sized shaft 90.

Accordingly, a procedure for a game of golf involving the back-friendly devices according to the first to fifth embodiments only requires to mount one of the back-friendly devices onto the hand-holding end 9 of a golf club 8 or a similarly sized shaft (Figures 6A and GB) . If, for instance, a golf tee 2 needs to be set, a golf tee 2 can be engaged with an appropriate tee engagement portion and can be pushed into the ground by using the golf club 8/the shaft 90. After disengaging the golf tee stuck into the ground from the back-friendly device, the golf player can either use the very same device for placing a golf ball onto the tee or he can quickly switch devices. In any case, since the back-friendly devices can be actuated by a remote action, this action does not require the golf player to stoop.

After driving the golf ball by using the golf club, the golf tee can be retrieved by using the back-friendly device again.

Similarly, when a golf ball is to be picked up from the green or from a cup, the back-friendly device can be used without requiring the golf player to stoop.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Back-friendly device for the game of golf comprising: a ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430) adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball (1); a release mechanism (20, 460) to release the golf ball (1) from engagement with the ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430) that can be actuated by a remote action.
2. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 1, wherein the back-friendly device further comprises a mounting portion (50) adapted to be fitted to the hand holding end (9) of a golf club (8) or a similarly shaped shaft (90)
3. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 1 and/or 2, wherein the release mechanism comprises a lever arm (20) that operates on the golf ball.
4. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the remote action involves actuation by a string (40) or some other transmission adapted to allow remote release of a golf ball at ground level by a user operating the device by hand from an upright standing position.
5. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430) comprises a plurality of finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230, 430), extending at different positions from the edge (12, 112, 212, 412) at one end of a main body (10, 110, 210, 410) of the back-friendly device; wherein the finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230, 430) are adapted to deform elastically; the average distance between the tip ends (31, 131, 231, 431) of the finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230, 430) facing each other across one end of the main body (10, 110, 210, 410) is less than the diameter of a golf ball (1); the main body (10, 110, 210, 410) and the finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230, 43C) are configured such that a golf ball (1) can be held by the finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230, 430)
6. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 5, wherein a lever arm (20) is pivotally attached to the main body (30, 130, 230) of the back-friendly device; one end (22) of the lever arm (20) is arranged such that it is able to come into contact with a golf ball (1) held by the finger-like-protrusions (30, 130, 230) when the lever arm (20) pivots; and the lever arm (20) is adapted to push the golf ball (1) out of engagement with the finger-like protrusions (30, 130, 230) when actuated by a remote action.
7. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any one of claims S or 6, wherein finger-like protrusions (130, 130, 230) protrude in a lateral direction of a main body (210) of the back-friendly device or in a radial direction of a hollow main body (210) of the back-friendly device.
8. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an abutment portion (60, 22, 112, 460) against which a golf ball (1) held by the bafl engagement portion is supported (30, 130, 230, 430)
9. Back-friendly device for the game of golf comprising: a tee engagement portion (320, 432) that can releasably engage with the ball support (3) of a golf tee (2).
10. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 9, wherein the back-friendly device further comprises an abutment portion (313), against which a top surface (4) of the ball support (3) engaged with the tee engagement portion (310) abuts such that the golf tee is vertically constrained.
11. Back-friendly device for the game of golf, according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the golf tee (2) can be engaged with and released from the tee engagement portion (320, 432) by a remote action.
12. Back-friendly device for the game of golf, according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the back friendly device further comprises a mounting portion (50) adapted to be fitted to the hand holding end (9) of a golf club (8) or a shaft (90)
13. Back-friendly device f or the game of golf, according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the remote action involves a lateral movement of the tee engagement portion relative to a central longitudinal axis of the golf tee (2) or a horizontal movement relative to the ground.
14. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the tee engagement portion comprises a recess or a cut out (320); and the recess or cut out (320) tapers such that the width of the recess or cut out (320) narrows from an width larger than the largest diameter of the ball support (3) of a golf tee (2) to a width smaller than largest diameter of the ball support (3) the golf tee (2).
15. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 14, wherein the back-friendly device comprises a cylinder (310), one end of which being bottomed; the recess or cut out (320) is provided in the bottom (312) of the cylinder (310); the recess or cut out (320) extends form the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder (310) towards the center of the bottom (312); and the recess (320) tapers from the side of the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder (310) towards the center of the bottom (312)
16. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any one of claims 9 to 15 as dependent on claim 10, wherein the abutment portion comprises a partition wall (313), such that the ball support surface (4) of the ball support (3) of the golf tee (2) abuts against or is supported against the partition wall (313), when the golf tee (2) is engaged with the tee engagement portion (320).
17. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 16, wherein the back-friendly device comprises a cylinder (310), one end of which being bottomed; the partition wall (313) is arranged in the cylinder (310) at a given distance to and in parallel with the bottom (312) of the hollow cylinder (310); and the distance and the cylinder are configured such that the ball support surface (4) of the ball support (3) of the tee (2) abuts against the partition wall (313), when the golf tee (2) is engaged with the tee engagement portion (320).
18. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to any one of claim 9 to 17 as dependent on claim 10, further comprising a resilient mat (314) being provided between the tee engagement portion (312) and the abutment portion (313).
19. Back-friendly device for the game of golf comprising: a ball engagement portion (430) adapted to releasably engage with a golf ball (1); a tee engagement portion (320, 432) adapted to releasably engage a golf tee (2); and a mechanism (20, 460) that can be actuated by a remote action being adapted to release the golf ball from engagement with the engagement portion (432).
20. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 19, comprising a support surface adapted to support the ball support surface (4) of the golf tee (2) engaged with the tee engagement portion (432) such that the golf tee (2) is vertically constrained.
21. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising a mounting portion (50) adapted to be fitted to the hand holding end (9) of a golf club (8) or a shaft (90).
22. Back-friendly device for the game of golf according to claims 19, 20 or 21, wherein the mechanism comprises a lever arm (20), pivotally supported by a main body (410), wherein one end (22) of the lever arm (20) operates on the golf ball to move the golf ball (1) out of the engagement portion (432) ; and the remote action involves an actuation via a string (40) or optionally any other transmission connected to the lever arm (20)
23. Back-friendly device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and any one of claims 9 to 18 and/or any one of claims 19 to 22, comprising one or more shafts having the tee engagement portion (320, 432) and/or the ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430) at one end and a user hand operated actuator for actuating the release mechanism (20, 460) to release the golf ball (1) at the other end; the one or more shafts of length such that the golf tee can be placed in the ground, the ball can be released onto the tee at ground level with the user hand operated actuator operated remotely by a user grasping the other end from an upright standing position.
24. Back-friendly device according to claim 23, wherein the one or more shafts comprise a first shaft for the tee engagement portion (320, 432) and a second shaft for the ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430), or the one or more shafts comprise one shaft with the tee engagement portion (320, 432) and the ball engagement portion (30, 130, 230, 430) mounted at opposite shaft ends.
25. Back-friendly procedure for the game of golf being exerted by a golf player, involving the steps of: placing a golf tee (2) in the ground with a back-friendly device; * positioning a golf ball (1) with respect to the golf tee (2), and releasing the golf ball (l)such that it is balanced on the golf tee (2) placed into the ground; wherein the steps are carried out by a remote action without stooping of the golf player, as provided for by the back-friendly device or devices.